Judge orders homeschoolers into public district classrooms

I could say I'm speechless, but if you know me, you know that's not possible ;) I think the statement near the end of the second article sums it up well by saying the judge conceded his guiding principle required him to put his judgement in place of the mother's.

I think I'll just intersperse my comments...

http://worldnetdaily.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=91397

Judge orders homeschoolers into public district classrooms
Decides children need more 'focus' despite testing above grade levels

Posted: March 11, 200911:25 pm Eastern
By Bob Unruh
© 2009 WorldNetDaily

A North Carolina judge has ordered three children to attend public schools this fall because the homeschooling their mother has provided over the last four years needs to be "challenged." Who is he to say what these dc have been taught needs to be "challenged"? Does he know everything they've learned? Does he order public school parents to "challenge" the state schools' teachings at home in the evenings?

The children, however, have tested above their grade levels – by as much as two years.

The decision is raising eyebrows among homeschooling families, and one friend of the mother has launched a website to publicize the issue.

The ruling was made by Judge Ned Mangum of Wake County, who was handling a divorce proceeding for Thomas and Venessa Mills.

A statement released by a publicist working for the mother, whose children now are 10, 11 and 12, said Mangum stripped her of her right to decide what is best for her children's education. One example of the "nanny" state. The governement will tell you what is best for you and your family.

The judge, when contacted by WND, explained his goal in ordering the children to register and attend a public school was to make sure they have a "more well-rounded education." Again, does he know everything they've learned over the last years? Is he an education expert? Who is he to determine what "well-rounded" is?

"I thought Ms. Mills had done a good job [in homeschooling]," he said. "It was great for them to have that access, and [I had] no problems with homeschooling. I said public schooling would be a good complement." A complement would be public school in conjuction with homeschool. He has ordered it in exclusion to homeschool. Why didn't he order online public school courses be taken in addition to the mother's homeschooling? Should I answer that...

The judge said the husband has not been supportive of his wife's homeschooling, and "it accomplished its purposes. It now was appropriate to have them back in public school." "Appropriate" is his opinion.

Mangum said he made the determination on his guiding principle, "What's in the best interest of the minor children," and conceded it was putting his judgment in place of the mother's. Yes, it was.

And he said that while he expressed his opinion from the bench in the court hearing, the final written order had not yet been signed.

However, the practice of a judge replacing a parent's judgment with his own regarding homeschooling was argued recently when a court panel in California ruled that a family would no longer be allowed to homeschool their own children.

WND reported extensively when the ruling was released in February 2008, alarming homeschool advocates nationwide because of its potential ramifications.

Ultimately, the 2nd Appellate District Court in Los Angeles reversed its own order, affirming the rights of California parents to homeschool their children if they choose.

The court, which earlier had opined that only credentialed teachers could properly educate children, Good grief, how were children educated in the past? How in the world did this country's founders manage to get anything done without "credentialed teachers", was faced with a flood of friend-of-the-court briefs representing individuals and groups, including Congress members. Who better qualified to teach a child than his parent that is actually taking the time and effort to do so; and to meet his individual needs. Who is more invested?

The conclusion ultimately was that parents, not the state, would decide where children are educated. Thank you.

The California opinion said state law permits homeschooling "as a species of private school education" but that statutory permission for parents to teach their own children could be "overridden in order to protect the safety of a child who has been declared dependent." Ah, "permission"... back to the nanny state.

In the North Carolina case, Adam Cothes, a spokesman for the mother, said the children routinely had been testing at up to two years above their grade level, were involved in swim team and other activities and events outside their home and had taken leadership roles in history club events.

On her website, family friend Robyn Williams said Mangum stated his decision was not ideologically or religiously motivated but that ordering the children into public schools would "challenge the ideas you've taught them." Already addresses this.

Williams, a homeschool mother of four herself, said, "I have never seen such injustice and such a direct attack against homeschool."

"This judge clearly took personal issue with Venessa's stance on education and faith, even though her children are doing great. If her right to homeschool can be taken away so easily, what will this mean for homeschoolers state wide, or even nationally?" Williams asked.

Williams said she's trying to rally homeschoolers across the nation to defend their rights as Americans and parents to educate their own children.

Williams told WND the public school order was the worst possible outcome for Ms. Mills, who had made it clear she felt it was important to her children that she continue homeschooling.

According to Williams' website, the judge also ordered a mental health evaluation for the mother – but not the father – as part of the divorce proceedings, in what Williams described as an attack on the "mother's conservative Christian beliefs." We can't know, of course, if the judge would've handed down the same decision if the mother was a secular homeschooler. By some of his comments about "challenging" what the children had been taught it would seem that teaching Christian world views is his hang up.

According to a proposed but as-yet unsigned order submitted by the father's lawyer to Mangum, "The children have thrived in homeschool for the past four years, but need the broader focus and socialization available to them in public school. The Court finds that it is in the children's best interest to continue their homeschooling through the end of the current school year, but to begin attending public school at the beginning of the 2009-2010 instructional year." Why did the judge order attendance in public school? Why didn't he simply order the children into a brick and mortar school; private, Christian, or public? Someday I'll have to post about the myths of socialization.

The order proposed by the father's lawyer also conceded the reason for the divorce was the father's "adultery," but it specifically said the father would not pay for homeschooling expenses for his children.

The order also stated, "Defendant believes that plaintiff is a nurturing mother who loves the children. Defendant believes that plaintiff has done a good job with the homeschooling of the children, although he does not believe that continued homeschooling is in the best interest of the children."

The website said the judge also said public school would "prepare these kids for the real world and college" and allow them "socialization." I'm screaming...

Williams said the mother originally moved into a homeschool schedule because the children were not doing as well as she hoped at the local public schools. SO LET'S PUT THEM BACK THERE! NOW THAT'S IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE CHILDREN!!! Way to go, judge.

...continues on WND site.

Four days later:
http://worldnetdaily.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=91843

Mom will fight judge's order against homeschooling
'I couldn't believe how he overlooked all the facts to legislate from the bench'

Posted: March 15, 20091:45 am Eastern
© 2009 WorldNetDaily

A North Carolina homeschooling mother, ordered to stop teaching her children at home and send them to public school, said she will appeal the judge's ruling.

"I couldn't believe how he overlooked all the facts to legislate from the bench," said Venessa Mills of Wake County District Court Judge Ned Mangum's ruling that it would be in the "best interests" of her three children, ages 12, 11 and 10, to be placed in public school, even though two are learning at two grades above grade level while the third is at grade level. Yes, he overlooked facts. The children are doing BETTER than they were doing in public school, but they would be better off back in public school.

As WND reported, the judge's action came in the divorce proceeding between Mills and her husband, Thomas.

At a court hearing last week, Mangum conceded the children are "thriving" under Mills' instruction but said they need to be exposed to the "real world." Still screaming!

"It will do them a great benefit to be in the public schools, and they will challenge some of the ideas that you've taught them, and they could learn from that and make them stronger," the judge said. You know, not all Christian parents or Christian homeschoolers keep their children from hearing about any conflicting beliefs. Some of us actively teach our children what other people believe and how to determine truth for themselves! THAT makes them stronger!

Mangum, when contacted by WND, explained his goal in ordering the children to register and attend a public school was to make sure they have a "more well-rounded education."

"I thought Ms. Mills had done a good job [in homeschooling]," he said. "It was great for them to have that access, and [I had] no problems with homeschooling. I said public schooling would be a good complement."

The judge said the husband has not been supportive of his wife's homeschooling, and "it accomplished its purposes. It now was appropriate to have them back in public school."

Mangum said he made the determination on his guiding principle, "What's in the best interest of the minor children," and conceded it was putting his judgment in place of the mother's.

In her court filing, Mills said her children already interact with other children at organized homeschool activities.

"These kids are doing well," she told the Raleigh News & Observer. "That's why it's such an injustice. It was an injustice for the kids." Yes, it's an injustice for the children!

Mangum's ruling and reasoning sparked public outrage after WND's story, reported the News & Observer – including an organized campaign to have the judge removed from the case. District court officials received more than 25 calls Thursday complaining about the decision while other court offices also reported being contacted.

Even Alan Keyes attacked Mangum's ruling in a column on his website: "If his idea of socialization includes the need to challenge the Christian ideas their mother has taught them, then he not only interferes with her natural right to raise up her children, he tramples on one of the most important elements of the free exercise of religion."

Mangum said that while he expressed his opinion from the bench in the court hearing, the final written order had not yet been signed.

Pro-Lifers: The Red Envelope Campaign to President Obama

Below is an email message originally from Christ (rhymes with wrist) John Otto. This campaign is growing. I'd like to help it along.

"Dear Friends and Intercessors:
This afternoon I was praying about a number of things, and my mind began to wander. I was deeply distressed at the symbolic actions that President Obama took as he began his presidency. Namely, that he signed executive orders releasing funds to pay for abortions, permission to fund human stem cell research, and federal funding for contraception. I have been involved in the pro-life movement for nearly 20 years, and it pained my heart to see a man and a political party committed to the shedding of innocent blood. This man, and this party lead our country, but they do not represent me or the 54% of Americans who believe that abortion is wrong and should no longer be legal. As I was praying, I believe that God gave me an interesting idea. Out in the garage I have a box of red envelopes. Like the powerful image of the red LIFE tape, an empty red envelope will send a message to Barack Obama that there is moral outrage in this country over this issue. It will be quiet, but clear. Here is what I would like you to do: Get a red envelope. You can buy them at Kinko's, or at party supply stores. On the front, address it to

President Barack Obama
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave. NW
Washington, D.C. 20500

On the back, write the following message:
"This envelope represents one child who died in abortion. It is empty because that life was unable to offer anything to the world. Responsibility begins with conception." I would use the word "fertilization".

OR

"There is no God who condones taking the life of an innocent human being. This much we know." -- Barack Obama at today's National Prayer Breakfast I think I'll write both on my envelope.

Put it in the mail, and send it. Then forward this email to every one of your friends who you think would send one too. I wish we could send 50 million red envelopes, one for every child who died before having a chance to live. Each one counts. Maybe it will be used to change the heart of the president.

Warmly,

Christ John Otto"

A Quick Update...

to prove I'm not completely neglecting my blog.

SK turned 9 last week. WOW! Her last year before the double digits. That is hard to swallow. We had a great bday week. She got a ton of books (I couldn't narrow the list down any further). She got a new wallet, since she's lost two. I won't buy her another one, though. She also got a math game, some puzzle/game books, a small cross stitch kit, sewing pattern book, and a painting book. That was what we gave her, anyway. Her grandparents (3 sets!) gave her a museum membership, Little House dvds, and a shopping trip to her favorite store where she got lots of crafty things. Her stocking was filled with chocolate (to share), gum, pencils, and a marble. The dc like to collect marbles. They're only 10 cents at the store I mentioned.

TJ bought her a pack of mints and AB, with my help, bought her a little doll that matches the doll she's taken to this last year. SK has never been a doll person, but when AB was born she was given a Gund Sweet Dolly with her name embroidered on it. I always wanted SK to have one, too, and I got her one when she turned 8. She named hers Madelyn and now carries it everywhere. She even bought the doll a bday gift since she is now one! Anyway, this little doll AB gave her is almost identical, just much smaller. SK had seen it in the store and really liked it. She was so surprised to get it. I love to see the dc pick out gifts for each other and never balk at spending their own money for them.

SK's desserts of choice this year were blueberry muffins with crumb topping and chocolate chip mint ice cream (the green kind... that's important). Of course, there was no green kind the day Daddy went shopping, but she was quite content with white!

J turned 42 yesterday. We celebrated at Shady Maple Smorgasbord where you get a free dinner on your bday. You MUST visit there if you're ever in Lancaster County. (Dad, they had a special prime rib weekend.) The girls made him some kind of gifts. I'm not sure what they were. One was a colored tissue "hanky". I gave him two Rush cds. We have 4 more days to celebrate. Today I'll have to make his chocolate pecan pies. I didn't have a crust yesterday, my bad. But we were going to Shady Maple anyway!

Hmm... what else?

For those that don't know we're expecting a new baby late June. I'm getting close to half way. The dc are excited.

School is going very well. SK's cursive is beautiful imo. I must learn to write in cursive! So many of the past generations have beautiful penmanship. It's a dying skill. We started more formal spelling with Spelling Power and we're really enjoying that. AB is reading better. It's not her strong suit. She's very good at math, where SK struggled. Her handwriting is also getting better and both the girls are enjoying the new border sheets used in A Reason for Handwriting where they get to copy a bible verse (or a thank you note) on a page with a border picture then color the picture in. It's added incentive to do their best. I started teaching TJ to read. He was showing an interest. So far he is whizzing along. We'll see if it continues that way. I'm using Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons like I did with the girls. It has worked well for us so far.

I think I'll stop there. I could ramble on, but who's still reading by now, anyway???

I've got a new computer (thank you, Dad!) and I need to figure out all the picture stuff and then I'll post some pics from the last year.

Christmas Costs Less at Wal-Mart!

Just what does (did) Christmas cost?

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it. John 1:1-4

Jesus Christ; God himself; creator of all things, gave up a life in heaven for a 33 year life on earth. On earth he experienced the physical discomforts of pain, fatigue, hunger and thirst. Why? To show people the very face of God. To live among His creation and teach them... SHOW them God's love for them. He sacrified a life in heaven, a life in the daily presence of his father God. And while many people were accepting of his message and sought to follow him, many others ridiculed him and sought to do him harm. But he endured this for every one of us, even those who spit in his face, lied about him, and beat him brutally. He loved us all so much that he willingly, and literally, gave up his life. Can any of us imagine the pain of having someone you love so much you'd die for spit in our face, ridicule us, beat us, and sentence us to death?

He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God.

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. 1 John 1:10-14

In just the final hours of Jesus' life look at what it cost:

http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Lake/3894/easter/cruscourg.html
Scourging Practices (this is graphic)

Scourging, practiced by the Romans was a cruel punishment that usually preceded crucifixion. The only ones exempted from scourging were women, Roman senators and soldiers except in cases of desertion. Normally there were between one and six trained Roman officer called lictors who were responsible for dispensing the blows to the victims. The lictors chosen to administer the scourging had previously received special medical training. They knew how to wield the whip so as to open bruises which had already formed. The instrument used for scourging is a short whip called a flagrum or flagellum to which was attached several braided leather thongs of variable lengths. Knots were tied in the ends of each thong, and sheep bone or iron balls were inserted into the knots at the end of each thong. This whip is called a flagrum or flagellum.

The person to be scourged is stripped of his clothing and his hands are tied to a post. Roman soldiers repeatedly strike the victim's back, buttocks and legs with their full force causing deep contusions. Lacerations from repeated blows cut into the underlying muscles and rip the overlaying skin of the back to a point where it hangs in ribbons of bleeding flesh. The capillaries and veins were often torn causing intense bleeding and at times leaving the entrails exposed. Even once the victim fainted, if the lictors could feel a pulse and detect sufficient respiration, the beating would continue. Once the centurion in charge determined that the prisoner is near death, the beating is halted.

According to Jewish law the prisoner was to receiver no more than forty lashes. The Pharisees, always making sure that the law was strictly kept, insisted that only thirty nine lashes be given in case an error occurred during counting.(Deuteronomy 25:3) The Roman law did not have any set limit on the number of blows which could be administered.

The object of the scourging was to weaken the victim to a state of collapse and bring them as near to death as possible without killing them. Many did not survive this punishment and it was given the name "half death." The extent of blood loss may well have determined how long the victim would survive on the cross.

After the scourging, Jesus was mocked more, had a "crown" of thorns pushed onto his head, and made to carry his cross beam.

But, somehow, Wal-Mart has made Christmas cost less.

The "Freedom" to Homeschool

The last few months I've been reading through the laws, codes, and requirements of homeschooling in PA- one of the most restrictive states to homeschool in. This is the year, now that SK is 8, that I must file my affidavit with the school district saying I'm going to homeschool or, in my case, use my teaching certification to teach as a private tutor (completely different law). I've learned that Pennsylvania is so gracious that back in 1988 they passed a law giving parents the right to teach their own children. Excuse me? I believe GOD gave me that right when he gave me the child. It doesn't take a village, it takes a family. I have been appalled reading through the requirements of the homeschool law. It's ridiculous.

This morning I read this: "The supervisor of the home education program [that's the parent] must certify on the affidavit that the supervisor [parent], all adults living in the home and persons having legal custody of the child have not been convicted of the criminal offenses listed in section 111(e) of the School Code." So, if you send your child to the state's school you, any adults in your home, and anyone that has legal custody of your child (x-spouse) can have a criminal record, no problem. If, however, you want to teach your own child you have to prove that no one in the home or with legal custody has a criminal record. Brilliant!

The other part of the law that gets me the most is that a private tutor must teach "loyalty to the State and National government". This is required in elementary school, but not required in secondary school. It's also not required in the homeschool law at all. Ah, consistency. In this case, it may just be the feelings the word "loyalty" evokes in me that gives me concern. I will teach my children our country's history and to obey the laws of our nation, but loyalty to the government... I don't know. Loyalty to country, or respect of country, is different in my thinking than loyalty to a government.

If you're bored for some reason you can read the PA homeschooling law & codes here http://homeschooling.gomilpitas.com/laws/blPA.htm or here http://home.comcast.net/~askpauline/hs/homeschoollaw.html. Yes, you'd have to be really bored ;)

That's my morning vent!

Obituary

This is worth posting ;)

Please join me in remembering a great icon of the entertainment community. The Pillsbury Doughboy died yesterday of a yeast infection and trauma complications from repeated pokes in the belly. He was 71.

Doughboy was buried in a lightly greased coffin. Dozens of celebrities turned out to pay their respects, including Mrs. Butterworth, Hungry Jack, the California Raisins, Betty Crocker, the Hostess Twinkies, and Captain Crunch. The grave site was piled high with flours.

Aunt Jemima delivered the eulogy and lovingly described Doughboy as a man who never knew how much he was kneaded. Doughboy rose quickly in show business, but his later life was filled with turnovers. He was not considered a very smart cookie, wasting much of his dough on half-baked schemes. Despite being a little flaky at times, he still was a crusty old man and was considered a positive roll model for millions.

Doughboy is survived by his wife Play Dough, three children: John Dough, Jane Dough and Dosey Dough, plus they had one in the oven. He is also survived by his elderly father, Pop Tart.

The funeral was held at 3:50 for about 20 minutes.

If this made you smile for even a brief second, please rise to the occasion and take time to pass it on and share that smile with someone else who may be having a crumby day and kneads a lift.

Note to self:

Don't wait 6 months to upload pics from my digital camera...

I take TONS of pictures. No, you wouldn't know from my blog. I hear you. I have two cards with a total of about 12oo pictures on them. Maybe a digital camera wasn't such a good idea for me. It's going to take hours to upload them so I can get prints!

I promise I'll add some pictures soon of everyone's birthdays and all the happenings over the last 6 months (There have been a lot.). I just haven't taken the time to write about them since I didn't have the pics on my computer yet.

Right now we're getting ready for two camping trips. Next weekend is our church camping weekend. Last year we went up Thursday night and had much of Friday to ourselves. That was relaxing. The campground has a really cool water slide. We'll get back Sunday afternoon then Tuesday morning we head to Creation '08 with our youth group. We offered to organize everything for the group since we've taken other groups, but somehow we ended up going along, too. That was NOT my plan. I know the children will love it, though. Sawyer may be the difficult one, especially after just coming off the weekend camping trip. If you're not familiar with it it's a 5 day Christian festival with about 20 bands and a dozen or more speakers. All day, every day is worship, teaching, and music. It's ALL outdoors on farm fields. 70,000 people in the sun. Porta-potties. No electricity... J is such a handyman, though, that he has made a battery powered sink and shower. We have to carry buckets of water daily from the spigots on the grounds. We also have to buy ice every day.

I hope to post the pics and things before we go, but there's so much to do for such an undertaking (we're planning and packing food and supplies for 24 people) that I don't know if I'll be able to.

********************
Later that day... There were 3 cards from my camera with a total of 1802 pictures since 10-19-07. We did have a really big trip in there when I took a lot of pics. See, I have no memory, so my pictures will be my memory! Thankfully, prints are just $ .09 each and there was a free shipping offer. It took hours to upload them all :0

Irresistible!

It's hard to get out of bed in the morning when
you have these four snuggled up with you!

The Facts About Mustard

"I don't like mustard. Some people don't like mustard; except for the people that do." T, age 3.9

The Lecture

Yesterday SK, in tears, tells me that A told her she didn't love her. We had this discussion about words; that even if we say we're sorry, we were joking, etc. the pain is still there for the other person. We talked about different scenarios with their friends. I then related a story that circulates on email about driving nails in a fence. They listened intently, understood, and hugged each other. I thought it was a nice time.

Last night at bedtime SK proceeds to tell J the same story (about A). I walked in to hear him talking about the pain our words cause others. I said "we went through this already". SK said she tried to tell him that I'd already talked to her about it, but he started talking and she didn't want to interrupt him. Then she says "He told us basically the same thing you did, but shorter." ... Now my own child accuses me of talking too much ;)

And on that note, I'm off to clean the basement!

Here's the story I mentioned:

NAILS IN THE FENCE

There once was a little boy who had a bad temper. His Father gave him a bag of nails and told him that every time he lost his temper, he must hammer a nail into the back of the fence. The first day the boy had driven 37 nails into the fence. Over the next few weeks, as he learned to control his anger, the number of nails hammered daily gradually dwindled down. He discovered it was easier to hold his temper than to drive those nails into the fence.

Finally the day came when the boy didn't lose his temper at all. He told his father about it and the father suggested that the boy now pull out one nail for each day that he was able to hold his temper. The days passed and the young boy was finally able to tell his father that all the nails were gone. The father took his son by the hand and led him to the fence. He said, "You have done well, my son, but look at the holes in the fence. The fence will never be the same. When you say things in anger, they leave a scar just like this one. You can put a knife in a man and draw it out. It won't matter how many times you say I'm sorry, the wound is still there."

They won't ask forever.

Yesterday as I went out for the mail it dawned on me that no one had asked to go with me for quite a while. They used to ask every time and it really was a pain to get 3 children's shoes on just for a walk down the driveway.

They used to always ask to drive "the long way" home so they could see the neighbor's horse. Then he sold the horse.

SK used to always ask me to read her a book. Now she reads by herself.

There are so many things that they used to ask for that they don't any more. Some of them were cute things we enjoyed with them. Some of them bothersome. Either way it's a reminder that time is passing quickly when we realize they don't ask any more.

Whenever possible, take the time youre children are asking for, because before you know it, it's gone.

A new year!

Here we are in another new year. SK will be turning eight in just 17 days! Every year I almost (or do) cry before her birthday. Eight, though... it's like the beginning of a journey as a young lady. I can see it in her face. She made breakfast twice in the last week. She helps mother the other children. I have a chance to make it or break it right now. It's my last chance to keep her heart. I feel like I'm teetering on the edge. If I don't give her the training and responsibility she needs I'll miss the opportunity. She wants to learn and grow and be fed. I can't fool around here! We've found the hardest thing is finding a balance in what we expect from her.

Snow!!!

I woke up to a thin, but beautiful coating of snow this morning! How perfect for Thanksgiving week. SK (7.75) is going to be thrilled when she wakes up. In the past, A(5.5) and T(3.5) haven't cared. It seems the cold weather has come on us quick this year. We probably think that every year, though. I feel like we just skipped October all together because of our trip.

We have been working through some of the stuff in the basement this weekend. I have a lot of clothes to put away from the season change.

Welcome!

I've created this blog for a few reasons: to keep our friends and family up to date on our family, and to have a place to put my thoughts down. It seems quicker and easier than hand writing in a journal.

We've just gotten back from a 16 day vacation and J & I are really excited about some things I'll have to explain in my first official post (eta: I should've said someday ;) ). I hope I can get my thoughts compiled and write something interesting.