The purpose of the "Giles Free Speech Zone" is to identify problems of concern to the people of Giles County, to discuss them in a gentlemanly and civil manner, while referring to the facts and giving evidence to back up whatever claims are made, making logical arguments that avoid any use of fallacy, and, hopefully, to come together in agreement, and find a positive solution to the problem at hand. Help make a difference! Email "mcpeters@usit.net" to suggest topics or make private comments.
I personally believe, if her description is accurate, that Mrs. Griffith and her children are owed a public apology and the assurance that such behavior will not happen again.
What are your thoughts? Allen Barrett
posted by Allen Barrett | 2:42 PM
73 Comments:
My child is home schooled and attends Bridge Builders Tutoring Center. Mrs Becky Johns took the children that attend there to the ballet. Mrs. Anna Hudson told Mrs. Johns that the ballet was supposed to be private, not public. Since they were there they could sit in the back row if there was room left after the public school children were seated.
Do I feel that these kids were treated as second class citizens? Yes! I pay taxes just like the parents of public school children. Therefore anything offered to public school children should be available to children that are home schooled.
To Mrs. Hudson: You owe a personnal apology to Mrs. Johns and the children that were with her for the other comments you made. I am very disappointed in your behavior in front of my kids. If I wanted my kids to see behavior like that I would send them to public school.
If you sent them to public school they could have sat in the front row.
If you had sent them to public school, maybe you and your children would be better educated socially!
If they went to public school they could play football and maybe the parents would be ready for tax fot the Sam Davis building.
I think what happen was a disgrace and you people looking down about homeschoolers need to find out about home school. You must be with the school system.
Some of these children are coming out smarter than public school.
They get more individual help that of public school. This does not mean the public school teacher don't give as much time to each student... it means there are more students and can't give each one a lot of attention. Plus you have some students causing trouble in class that distrubs the others.
Miss Hudson owes an apology.
I had hoped my grandchildren would go to Martin College, but NO WAY.
7:43
You sure didn't get any education socially from the sound of your post.
Maybe if they went to public school they would be too high to know they had been insulted.
Homeschoolers pay the same taxes, get less of the benefits and still get educated to a level most public school students can only dream about.
Maybe we should shield our children from the rest of the world, so they can be really smart, but not have any idea how to get along in this very diverse world.
Maybe someone should do something about Barrett and Winkles before more trouble starts.
What in the hell is Mr Winkles being blamed for now? He's been home doing kindly deeds for his elderly neighbor. Don't think he's a ballet fan so why is he even named under this topic. How evil you are. As for Mr. Barrett, all he did was raise a question.
What a sorry bunch at the school dept. (No, I don't refer to teachers). People who home school are to be admired. My hat is off to them. Few home schooled children I've met seem to be more polite, certainly smarter.
School people did it again! and Again, and Again.........
Anonymous, March 12, 2008 7:43:00 PM, said:
If you had sent them to public school, maybe you and your children would be better educated socially!
Ah yes.... that guvskool socialization! A kid's just gotta have that guvskool socialization, or they are simply doomed, right?
A recent study by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) suggests just how good a "socialization" job the guvskools are doing... it turns out that 26% of teenage girls, 14 to 19 years old, are infected with one or more of what once were referred to as "social" diseases.
Well, that's certainly what I call progress! And who would've EVER guessed that throwing God out of the classroom, while throwing in, value-free "sex ed," would lead to such striking results? Yes, let's score yet another dramatic victory for government schooling, which has been proven vastly superior to antisocial home schooling, once again!
9:22
Homeschoolers now how to get along in this world a whole lot then you do. They are polite and smart.
I don't understand why anyone would be against homeschoolers unless they think that would be more dollars for the school system if they went to public school.
I haven't said anything about Tee Jackson or anyone in the central office, but if this is one of you and we just might find out. I'll be ready to start the petition to get ride of you.
From this blog, I'm finding adults don't know how to get along in this world.
Just because you are over 18 don't make you smart.
There is an old saying "something is rotten in Demark" Something is rotten in Giles County.
Don't tell me to leave, you leave.
How did Barrett and Wrinkles start this?
All Barrett did was ask about it.
He never said it was ok or not.
You keep a stink going don't you!
I guess next some of you know it alls will be saying Home Schoolers shouldn't be allowed scholarships.
Did the homeschoolers get to see the Ballet? Did they have to stand if they got to see it?
Are all children not created equally?
If a parent decides to homeschool their child and have a teachers certificate and the law allows it, why is it anyone else's business?
Anonymous, Wednesday, March 12, 2008 10:23:00 PM, said:
There is an old saying "something is rotten in Demark" Something is rotten in Giles County.
It's the same rot everywhere, nowadays. Government schooling is the root cause of practically every social problem you can name. And until the guvskools are all demolished, with salt spread over the land they once occupied, freedom will never again flourish in this fair nation.
If the USofA has any sort of a future, it surely lies with the "remnant" currently being educated at home. I believe with all my heart that God will bless those parents who take responsibility for their children's upbringing, rather than offloading the burden onto those dens of atheistic government worship, which, in Orwellian fashion, are called "public schools." And, as for the other 90% of parents, who value status and material things more than their own children's immortal souls... I rather imagine God has something special prepared for them.
Parents... before you turn your innocent and precious child over to the anti-Christian government schools, please think carefully about God's warning in Matthew 7:13-14:
Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
Walking on the narrow path of homeschooling may be a bit of extra trouble, and cost some extra money.... but isn't your immortal soul -- and that of your child -- worth it? Over 90% of parents abandon their children to the youth warehouses/indocrination centers owned and operated by the government. Meanwhile, only about 2% of all parents homeschool their children. Is it not OBVIOUS which path is wide,and leads to damnation, and which path is narrow, leading to eternal life?
Even if one was totally ignorant of the vile things that are routinely taught in guvskools, the mere fact that nine out of ten parents are on the guvskool "path" should make it more than clear that it's the WRONG path to follow. At least, it is if you have any concerns regarding where you wind up in the afterlife!
Anonymous, Wednesday, March 12, 2008 9:22:00 PM, said:
Maybe we should shield our children from the rest of the world, so they can be really smart, but not have any idea how to get along in this very diverse world.
That's a real laff riot, there. Back in the days of pioneers living in a "little house on the prarie," it wasn't the least bit unusual for a kid to know no other children besides their siblings. And yet... they were quite effectively "socialized" despite this social isolation. How can that be???
It's because socialization does not come from being hip deep in children you don't know. THAT sort of "socialization" leads to "Lord of the Flies" type behavior, which most people think is a BAD thing.
True socialization (that leads to good behavior) comes from children interacting with... wait for it!... adults! And homeschooling families are perfectly capable of providing children with this sort of interaction!
Chris Bee said:
I pay taxes just like the parents of public school children. Therefore anything offered to public school children should be available to children that are home schooled.
You're absolutely right. But even better (in my opinion) would be for your family to get a $7,500 per year "tax rebate" for each child you're educating at home.
What would you think of that, Mr. Bee? As long as you're saving the taxpayers $7,500 per kid every year, it seems only fair that you get some (or all) of that money back. I know... I know... fat chance of that ever happening. But I can still dream, can't I?
BTW, I salute (and thank) you for being in the minority of parents who choose to make the sacrifice of homeschooling. As I've said before, you people are the only reason I have any hope for the future. Thanks for making the sacrifices involved in being a FULLY responsible parent. I'm sure it will all pay off for you in the end, even if you do have to suffer "second class" status at Martin events, in the meantime.
Anonymous, Thursday, March 13, 2008 12:31:00 AM, said:
If a parent decides to homeschool their child and have a teachers certificate and the law allows it, why is it anyone else's business?
Two questions:
WHY should a parent be required to have a teacher's certificate -- which is easily the most "Mickey Mouse" credential known to man -- in order to teach their OWN kids?
And, WHY should "the law" have anything to say in the matter? Surely you are not implying that children are property of the government, with their parents being "allowed" to do only that which the government says is best?
I don't condem public schools. They are fine schools, but I don't think anyone that wants to home school their child shoul be condemed.
Lots of reasons could be why they choose to home school. The home school children have actives where they are with other children.
A group to get together and go see plays, bowl, and other actives they want to.
Don't we have private schools all over the US? I guess the people are mad because these children, same as the home school are not in public shool where the money will come to the school system.
I've never had a home shool child come knocking on my door to buy magazines or candy. The parents have to pay for everything without a tax break.
I went to public school and sent my children to public schools. I never had any problem with the school. I just believe people have a right to choose what they want to do. I'm tried of some the people in Giles County being so self rightous and condeming others.
That is not talking about WAB. Thanks to him we know some things going on in Giles County. Most of the times he only tells you about it. He's not against it, but I hope this one he was against.
Let's not blame Martin College for what Anna Hudson of Giles County Public Library did.
I would just like to say that most parents who choose to home school their children do so because of the negative peer influences they would otherwise be exposed to in the public schools. Those parents simply do not want their children around all the trash talking, disrespect, violence, and rudeness that runs rampant in the public schools. Who could blame these parents?
The other side of the homeschooling issue is that kids who do not attend public schools do not experience the positive comaraderie of their peers and, more importantly, will not know how to deal with certain "real world" problems later in life. From that aspect, it would seem that they will enter adulthood at somewhat of a disadvantage. They need to learn and understand that there are really bad people out there. And don't forget that Jesus and God were suspended from the public schools years ago, and we see clearly the horrific results of that.
Look, just because a child is homeschooled doesn't mean they are kept in the basement until they are thirty. They interact with both adults and others of various ages.
What about socialization in the public school offer an advantage, it seems most parents would prefer their children be exposed to more positive influences even in public school.
Most home schoolers I have met are able to discuss a variety of topics without the accompanying MF, and lazy speech patterns many public school children are acclimated to. I also have never, never seen a home school child with their underwear showing and their pants down around their knees.
9:39:00 PM
Good respond, but you are just beating your head against the wall with some educated people. They might be a better person and not think they know more than any one else if they had been home schooled.
When I first heard of home schooling, a child started to school who had been home school a teacher said, "she just doesn't know how to get along with other kids." I wanted to know if she was a problem causing trouble, "No she just don't mix and mingle with the other children." That teacher never thought about how hard it is for a child to leave one school and start another. Sometimes the children are not friendly with them. Could of been this girls problem. If the other students don't want to have anything to do with the new student, they don't push themselves on them.
Why do people think they know more than anyone else? Will they soon start trying to take babies away from their parents, because they can do a better job with them in school.
What can a teacher do if they have a smart mouthed student? They can't paddle anymore. It's getting harder for a person to want to be a teacher.
I admire these parents that are taking responsibility of their child, seeing they get a good education and are allowed to have fellowship with other children.
From some responses you would think home school children are kept in a prison never seeing the light of day.
Don't think home school children don't know there are some real bad people out there. They can see rudeness in adults and other home school students. They do mingle with other children and adults.
When they get together with other home schoolers they will be getting along with students of all ages.
It's great to be 12 years old and still get along with a 6 year old or 17 year old.
They're not kept in the closet.
I know several people who home-school their children. BUT, I also work in the public and when these kids should be at home doing their school work, alot of them are in Walmart or the groceriy stores when I personally think they should be at home. I have some very close friends (with 3 children) who home school their children and they are very active in activites BUT two of the three miss their friends. They have lost contact with most of them and the kids dont like it. They want to go back to school but they cant bc the one wants to stay home.-These same parents told me they home school theirs bc they dont have to worry about their kids having to "keep up" with all the other kids as far as the latest trends, and so forth. Its their choice but, that doesnt fly with me. Since they have their other activites, they are still around the trends and and what not, so it is no different. Thats life. And from a personal observation, the oldest one is not as friendly as the other two and has a harder time in a social setting. Some would say thats just the child....Maybe...but this child use to be very social and to me has reverted.So, I think it is hurting the other two. I do not agree with home schooling at all....and it is a personal choice. Graduating at 15 or 16 is not a good idea. Kids arent mature enough at that age. Most of the kids I've seen who are home schooled arent as advanced as kids who go to school. My friends kids are good kids...but only one of them is happy....Doesnt seem fair to me.
Maybe she should let you raise her children.
I've seen public school children at WalMart when they should be in school. There could of been a good reason for both public school and home school being there.
I've seen good students come out of public school and home school, also bad come from both.
Just can't please everybody. It's to much fun to see the bad in everything.
I've been told home shoolers had to have 4 hours of school, not including music or PE. So if they wanted to sart school at 6 in the morning they could finish by 10. Most parents give more than the 4 hours required.
This way, Mother could go to work the second shift and father might be better in Math. He could do that with the child at night.
I don't home school so we need a home school parent to tell us if it's true.
Just think how great it would of been back when most people made their living farming if home schooling had been around. I guess you could say it was, they were schooled in the way to make a living on the farm.
Don't you know a boy had rather be in school as behind the plow. There would be a few minutes to play at school.
There couldn't of been time for a few hours at school then because their work was from dawn to dusk.
If a child was taken out of school to work on the farm, they got so far behind they just quit.
This day it takes both parents working to pay their taxes. Lots of children are left at home by them self to learn bad things off TV.
So why would you want your children exposed to some of the things they would learn from some students.
Thank goodness it wasn't this bad when I sent my children to public school. If it had of been I would of home schooled.
In response to this comment-Mrs. Anna Hudson told Mrs. Johns that the ballet was supposed to be private, not public. Since they were there they could sit in the back row if there was room left after the public school children were seated.
When field trips are planned in a public school they have to make arrangements to do so, and if as Mrs. Anna Hudson said the ballet was suppose to be private would that not mean that for the homeschool children to attend they would have had to make arrangements before hand like the public school teacher had to do.
I am against neither public schooling or home schooling its for the parents to decide what they think is right for their child. But it looks to me as if someone is trying say a group of children are better than the other or were at least treated that way-not so-it looks to me like someone made arrangements in advance and someone else didn't, so the ones who were known to be coming got the seats they were suppose to have and the ones who just showed up got what was left. What is wrong with that. If you make arrangements to do something you expect it to be there when you get there, or at least I do.
God bless all of our children-they are all equal and should be treated so.
10:52
I would agree if the function was advertised as such. However, you have missed the fact the ad said "open to the public". There was no reference to having to make arrangements for seating nor was there a reference to only being seated after the public school kids. The public school women reps were wrong and thats all there is to it. The parents of homeschoolers should receive a written apology both from the school director and Ann Hudson. It should then be over but a lesson learned for the future.
Well, I do home school my children. I am NOT regulated by the government as to what hours or on what days my children “need” to be educated. I will decide that for them. I may decide to teach them at home while the public school kids and their parents are at Wal-Mart. Do not tell me I should not go to Wal-mart during certain hours. I will not hide my children. If I choose to go to Wal-Mart during the government school hours then I will. It is the best time to go. It is less crowded and much easier to shop. My children are in school more days that public school children. They are able to learn more in a nicer environment. They all make A’s on their work because their teacher will take whatever extra time it takes to learn the lessons. They are NEVER “left behind” by the school system. They are socialized with both home school children and public school children. They sometimes prefer the home school children because they can have friends of all ages. There are never “cliques” or gangs or bullies or meanness or backstabbing or paybacks or even jealousy. If anything like that were to ever happen the parent is right there to handle it. My children understand diversity, and tolerance and acceptance. It is much harder to explain bigotry, discrimination and hatred. But they know it exists. Not once have any of my children “judged” someone by their appearance even if they questioned it. They can be white, black, red, yellow, handicapped, skinny , tall, have multi-colored hair, tattoos and piercing, be old, young or dress differently. They think we all belong in a wonderfully diverse world. But they learned a powerful lesson at the ballet even if it was negative.
There are many outstanding students from public schools despite the hardships they must endure if they are different in any way. MANY others are scarred for life by the abused from the public school system or the students or the lifestyle.
My husband and I have made many sacrifices to educate our children ourselves. I gave up my career to stay home. Maybe we don’t have as much as our 2 income friends or maybe we have more. I know where my children are at all hours. I know what they are being taught. I have a very close relationship with them and they are not influenced by peers who are belligerent or disrespectful. They don’t know who Hanna Montana is and they do not wear clothes that I don’t approve of nor do they want to. They will never be given birth control or be taken to a clinic or taught that certain lifestyles must be accepted. We pay taxes AND buy all of our education materials.
My children will never go to public school. That is my choice. I am their parent. I know what is best for them. I should NOT have to defend myself to anyone. But I can and will.
Ms Hudson should apologize instead of trying to get revenge by hurting innocent children.
HOORAY FOR 9:51. Allen Barrett
It sounds to me like your children live a sheltered/protected life, and I can tell you from experience.....when your children grow up, they will be in the real world. You will not be able to dress them and make decisions for them. I could go on an on, but it sounds to me like you are living in a fantasy land and you need to be prepared for them to make mistakes.
I have a child at Giles County High School. I only wish I was smart enough to home school her. Not only my child but other parents and students tell me about how bad the drugs are at the school. The thing is the students are getting parents or grandparents meds and selling them at $10.00 a pop. So if you have meds at home and a teenager count you pills daily.
All Hastings cares about is the "Are you a Bobcat" fan. Jackson has made it very clear of his great interest in the stadium. Academics means nothing to them. Hastings sits back and lets Ms. Parker do all the dirty work. He is so worthless. He knows about all the smoking in the bathrooms and does he put anyone in there to monitor. NO!!! Is the dress code upheld NO!!!! Are the teachers backed up by him NO!!!! Is he truly Jackson's good Friend YES!!!!
People talk to your children about the high school and report what you hear to a school board member. Some do care and will investicate.
Home schoolers keep homeschooling. But be patient and call Eddie Bass and your senator in Dickson to let them know to vote on the homeschooling bill coming up.
To the people who talk about their socialization skills-- I have met some really weird home schooled kids, but they are brilliant. And they are socially active in city sports, 4-H, youth groups and many other activities. But they are better protected from the flaunt of drugs at GCHS.
And if they appeared at the planned performance without reservations maybe Mrs. Hudson had to allow for those that had made arrangement, if not then she should make a public apology.
Yes my children are sheltered and protected. That is my job as their parent. I don’t let total strangers form their views and morals. Again, that is my job. Who spends more time with a child on a daily basis when they are away at school? My children are out in the real world all the time. They are involved in many things including baseball, basketball, football, soccer and cheerleading. They go to the Nashville Ballet, museums and historical sites. They go bowling, swimming, hiking, fishing, and boating. They go to the Mall, Home Depot, Wal-Mart and anywhere else a “public school” child goes. I don’t understand why anyone would want to argue that my children are somehow missing something by not being in a public school? What “experience” are you talking about?
Believe me, I let my children make mistakes. That is how you learn. But I guide them in how to make good decisions. That is my job. I also explain why things happen in the real world, when they are hurt or confused or have questions. That is my job.
If you are happy to hand your children over to others to raise that is fine with me and I will defend your right to do it. If I want to “shelter “ my children from peer pressure, drugs, promiscuity, bullying, and government influence you shouldn’t attack me. Why should you decide what is right for me? What “proof” do you have that you are in a better position to decide that? Are you a government official by chance?
When my children are adults, they will have a good education under their belts. They will be able to make their own decisions as adults. They will know how to balance a checkbook, how to pay bills on time and that borrowing money is not always a good thing. They will have many skills that were not influenced by peer pressure, gangs, drugs or government schools. I will always be proud of them and they know that. But it is my job as their parent to make decisions for them until they are able to on their own. I will not always have to dress them or decide how they will dress. But I will tell you this, as I gradually let them make these decisions on their own they will learn what is acceptable in my home. They are free to change when they leave. After all, I don’t own them. But it is my job to form them. I take that job seriously.
Like I said before, if you have children and choose to turn them over to the public school system to raise, that is your choice.
Maybe you are living in a fantasyland and you need to be prepared to find out, too late, that public school doesn’t make perfect people who are “ready” for the real world. But I guess if that happens…you can blame the “school system”?
Well said Mom!
Martin College had nothing to do with what was said to these home school students.
March15, 2008-2:00pm
I haven't commented on this subject until now. I do not appreciate being accused of sending my children into the public school system to be raised by someone else. How dare you to assume that of anyone!!!!!!!I know where my children are, who their friends are, who their friends parents are and my husband and I probably spent more time with our children than most parents do or are able to do. They know what is acceptable behavior, how to dress or not dress and our children have more manners in their little finger than most adults do. They get complimented on a daily basis on never missing a beat with their manners to anyone. Our high school age son takes his hat off when he sits down to eat at home or in a restaurant to which we've had many waitresses comment on that fact. Our son and daughter both know you do not address someone older than you by their first name unless they are given permission to which they respond with Miss first name or Mr. first name. Neither of our children care one bit about the "latest" in things. They are who they are and could care a hoot nanny what anyone thinks about what they are wearing. They wear what they like and if it is allowed by myself and my husband. And no, they are not allowed to walk around with their tummies or their butt cracks hanging out. They dont want to. They dont like it either. They have been taught this at HOME and they get up and go to school every morning just like their dad and I get up and go to work. We take our jobs as their parents very seriously as do you but just bc they go to school DOES NOT mean they are being raised by someone else. We, as their parents have been VERY active in their school activites and lives in every aspect. Very seldom ever are our kids away from us. They dont want to be. We sit down together every night to have supper and discuss our days. Our weekends are planned around being together as a family. They know that.....they want that as do we. We feel we've been very blessed with our kids. I feel certain in saying we are not the only parents in this town who are like that with their kids. Some of us were taught this when we were young by our parents.....and guess what???? We went to public schools!!!!!!!!!!
You, your husband and children are to be commended but even you must admit you are an exception.
Would you agree that that not all parents are as responsible as you?
I would guess that most are not that responsible. And it IS that parent involvement that usually makes all the difference in the world. You are to be commended.
Monday, March 17th-2;26/2:39/& 2:51
Thank you for the compliments. I take them with great pride. I do agree that we are the exception and not the general rule. We've tried very hard to be good parents. My husband and I decided a long time ago that we didnt want to smother our kids but we did want to be there for them and its just always worked for us. It has always worked to our advantage. It sounds selfish, but since our kids do want to be with us...we're taking it all in. Because, we know there will be a time when they won't always want to be with us. Thats ok too. They are growing up. Thank you again for your compliments.
To Saturday, March 15, 2008 2:00:00 PM
When my children go to public school each morning we are by no means handing them over for someone else to raise as with you me and my husband lead and guide our children-We are parents of teenagers and we control how they dress, where they go, who their friends are, what music they listen to, when their curfew is,and teach them manners. We go to Church as a family, eat together as a family, do activities together as a family.
My boys have not expressed the need to have the lastest fads, do not wear inappropriate clothes, do not wear earrings, or have tatoos they do not let their hair grow long, or feel the need to do what the other kids at school do or to have the things that other children have.
As with you we let our children make mistakes but are always right their to try and help them make the right decisions.
We do get compliments on our children all the time about how well behaved they are, and how they say yes/no mame/sir, please, thank you and are always willing to help when they see someone in need. It does not take being homeschooled to have kind considerate children, no it just takes involvement from parents.
I know several home schooled children who are not as polite as my public taught children but I do not blame that on how they are schooled but on their parents.
Whether your children are home schooled or public school taught they are children and should be treated equally. I do not make assumptions about home schooled children and I do not appreciate you telling me that I have let someone else raise my children for the last 10 years, I do not belittle you for choosing to home school your children please do not belittle others for sending their children to public school as I stated before its not how they are taught it is Parental involvement that molds a child.
The problem with educating children whether it be at home or school is that the parents are the guidance. Without that guidance they will not do well at either place. There are some fantastic homeschool situations and there are some people who take their children out of school because they cannot get along with a rule such as dress code or conduct. If the parents don't provide the right home life they will not do well at home or school. I can tell you that parents constantly complain because the school is not teaching them manners or respect for elders. That needs to start at home and continue at school. The parents are the factor that makes or breaks a child. Hurrah for the well schooled home schoolers and the well taught public schoolers. Also a big hurrah for the parents who are providing guidance for their children.
anonymous..
I agree totally with what you are saying about manners being taught at home. But I say respectfully that it is a very difficult thing to attempt teaching middle and high school students about proper behavior when they come from homes where disrespect and rudeness are taught by example. It is almost impossible. Many of thyese kids will smart off to teachers and do anything they can to disrupt a class.
I didn't realize kids weren't starting school until they are in middle and high school. What happened to pre-K and those grades inbetween?
anonymous..
You feeble attempt at being funny was not impressive. You know very well that kids start school in either pre-K or kindergarten. I was simply saying that it's extremely difficult to teach kids social graces by the time they have reached middle school or high school. Apparently, that went over your head.
I don't understand the last three post. Are you saying they were home schooled until middle school then started public school.
I thought social graces was taught at home from babies up.
Not being a teacher, I'm like the one you thought was trying to be funny it went over my head.
I still don't think teachers teach social grace anymore, they have to much paper work to do along with trying to get the book learning over to the students.
I'm not saying anything bad about teachers in that. The government put all this paper work on them taking time away from other things they would do.
The point that is trying to be made is if parents teach their own children manners from birth you will not have such problems from children-therefore Teacher would not need to teach manners(which is not their job in the first place) just reinforce what parents have taught!!!!!!!!!!!!
If parents aren't preparing their children for kindergarten which is being used to justify Pre-K,why aren't manners being taught in those lower grades? The problem isn't so much one of not knowing how to behave but more a lack of requiring good and proper behavior with consequences for bad behavior. Of course no teacher or parent or even law enforcement officer will have much success with someone who has been allowed to do as they please for 12 to 14 years.
Since this is a problem recognized by teachers why not start teaching good manners and behavior modification in kindergarten and the lower grades? Most young children with encouragement want to please adults especially teachers.
It doesn't take near the effort to teach and modify the behavior of a five year old as it does a teen-ager. Should teachers be responsible for this instead of parents of course not but the reality is if teachers in the lower grades want to help the student and the teachers in the upper grades they will willingly take on this responsibility because not many parents are doing it. Allen Barrett
When my children were in kindergarten, 1st and 2nd grades their teachers did reinforce what my husband and I taught them-but until parents take the responsibility of teaching manner at home teachers have no hope of teaching them at school.
wab..
That is precisely the point I was trying to make. I don't know how it got confused with home schooling. Anyhow, you hit the nail on the head when you said that the responsibility of teaching social graces has become necessary in public schoiols because so many parents are NOT doing it. Further, they(many parents) aren't even providing positive role models.
As for the teaching of manners and social skills at the lower levels, it is my understanding (from a reliable source) that social graces are taught by teachers and counselors at ALL grade levels in public schools. The point I had tried to make is that it is very difficult to overcome the negative influences and get middle and high school kids to listen to lessons on etiquette.
50 years ago we had the same cross section of humanity, family, and differences in physical, mental, and emotional characteristics. There was no "resource officer", "nurse", "analyst", or horde of robots running around with a nay-nay pen & list that follows the kid school to grave. No Ridilin, no hate speach, no anger management classes, ... just plain old education, with a little Bible, some hellfire & brimstone if needed, & either a big old paddle or razor strap waiting to wake you up if needed!
Whelps will be gone in a day or two & be forgotten as long as the kid behaves. The mental scars from the psycopath with the school book of life follows the kid till death. Some snap, right!
Imagine the kid who likes to tinker - (Like Einstien) - forced into an anger management seminar for 5 year old drop outs by some idiot who can't even change his tire! Then, there is the "be honest & don't tell a fib" routine by those who try to tax parents off their land.
It's like Mr. K says, a whole lot of bovine scatology with a million dollar price tag designed to dumb everyone into imbicility - guess they think we're a bunch of imbicillbillies!
Mr. K has the right idea - can the consolidators & go local neighborhood school. All except the "privitization" BS - good idea run amuck with the global monopolistic cartel crap - yep - we'd have brats learning chinese & we'd be living in another year of the rat.
Nope - let each little district hire 3 or four teachers & make the meanest one the head honcho in addition to teaching - give them a good salary & a mandate to maintain discipline in school maintain the facillities, pay the utilities, etc., without outside help! Test? all absolutes - add & subtract, read, etc. - no 2 daddy, illegal alien, or alkida sympathy crap.
They did that & lot's more a few years ago - back when most children respected adults, would work, and looked like children instead of sluts & gangbangers. Oh, they could also read & write & even make change.
7:27, I must be really dumb, what are you trying to say? I cannot understand any of it.
Must have gone to government schools.
I commend the mother above. I have great respect for the mothers out there that dedicate their lives to educating their children. I also believe it is THEIR business how they educate their children and WHERE they happen to take them during the day. Who really cares that these children are at Wal-mart or other public places during the day?
8:31 I think the message was to decentralize schools. sometime back most were 3 rooms, 3 teachers & 8 grades in a small wood structure neighborhood dwelling. Many things a modern politically correct system could never understand, including chldren with manners who could function as adults (read, write, basic math, history, where is Europe, & who was the first president, etc. ... when graduated from grade 8.
Sometimes this blog sounds like Obama's preacher.
Why can't we all get along and respect one another.
If a parent wants to home school OK, if a parent perfers to send their child to Public school, OK.
It's their business.
I am appalled at the teachers in this county! I read Mrs. Griffith’s letter to the editor and nowhere do I see her blasting the public school system! I read it to be about Mrs Hudson only. It seems that all of their comments should be directed at Mrs. Hudson. Why are they attacking Mrs Griffith? tI sounds like there may be a personal grudge out there! I also do not see where she is having some sort of outburst? She seems to be in control of her thoughts. Now these teachers on the other hand seem out of control. I certainly hope the kindergarten teacher doesn’t treat her classroom children like that! I think those teachers would fail their own report cards! Where is the good attitude? I certainly would not want them teaching my children! I also disagree with the comment made by a teacher that she didn’t think being singled out and not allowed to have a seat because her child didn’t attend public school as not being discriminated against. I hope she doesn’t teach history! Please go check out a book on MLK jr and read it! You can read, can’t you? I’m starting to think the teachers need more education around this county. They certainly need some manners! I still don’t see why they think Mrs Griffith wrote about them. Must be some dang big ego’s in the school system. But they don’t seem too bright. Their ignorance is showing. I don’t even think they read the letter. I am sure that Mrs Griffith pays taxes like most of us. That would mean she is paying the salaries of the teachers and funding the public library just like the rest of us but being told she isn’t good enough to have a seat. Please show some maturity teachers and quit sounding so catty! I am embarrassed that you are representing the teachers of this county. I hope the rest of them can read. If not maybe everyone should home school. You give teachers a bad name.
It's called protecting the backside and anyone who raises a question that is the least bit embarrassing is a threat, just ask Barrett & Winkles.
No question is welcome from the public and no revealing question is tolerated.
Okay, I do not get on this thing very often because it always degenerates into I’m right and you’re wrong.
However, the homeschool debate is a topic of interest. I have several friends that homeschool and I debate with them if it is better then public education.
Typical reason of homeschooling:
• Poor child-school fit
• Inadequate school resources
• Child's need for one-on-one guidance
• Individualized program for a child with special learning needs or giftedness
• School safety concerns
• Health problems
• Frustration with school staff or curriculum
I like everyone else could make an argument pro or con for either Public or Homeschool. HOWEVER The subject of this topic is what happen with Mrs. Griffith.
I do not agree with Mr. Barrett in the comment that they where treated like 2nd class citizens. Nor do I feel that they are owed anything ESPECIALLY a public apology. I have been to several events that are “open to the public” but that doesn’t’ always mean I get to set wherever I want. I guess if I wanted, I could say that I was “Discriminated” against because I had a freckle on the tip of my nose and that is why I didn’t get the choice front row all access pass to Mr. Rogers on Ice.…but if seats are RESERVED, that means someone else has the right to them…like a restaurant.
Do we all agree that this event would not have been an available if the public school system had not worked hard to get the group? If anything, anyone attending should be thankful to the teachers for giving them the opportunity. To me this is like telling someone that donated Millions of dollars for a new hospital building that they can’t be the one to cut the ribbon because someone in the audience wants to and IT IS A PUBLIC event, so to bad.
Personally, I was more put off by Mrs. Griffith heated letter…yes, I took it to be heated.
I was not at the event in question, so what I have is only from what I received from the heavily circulated local paper. We have Mrs. Griffith’s version of the story and her tale of “Discrimination” and we have the word of the other teachers.
When we make choices in life, we have to settle for the good and the bad of those choices. Mrs. Griffith chose to homeschool her children, which in her option gives them a better chance at life and a better learning environment. The downside of that choice is that it did not entitle her and her children to 3rd row seats at the event.
Let me ask a “what if” question.
What if Mrs. Griffith and her children had been allowed to keep the seats, then some public school kids had to stand at the back of the room…would they have been okay?
Mill.
I would like to set this record straight. The teachers did not get the ballet to come to town.The public school system was in no way involved in getting the ballet to come. They were invited. This is the invitation I received to the Ballet:
Nashville Ballet's "Carnival of the Animals " Comes To Pulaski
The Giles County Public Library and Martin Methodist College have
received a touring arts grant from The Tennessee Arts Commission to
bring The Nashville Ballet's children's ballet "Carnival of the
Animals " to Pulaski on Friday, February 29th. This project is funded
under an agreement with the Tennessee Arts Commission and the National
Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency. Martin Methodist College has
matched the grant funds.
"Carnival of the Animals" choreographed by Nashville Ballet Artistic
Director Paul Vasterling to a two piano arrangement of Camille Saint
Saen's original composition arranged by Bob Mahler and an original
narrative by Brian Hull will be performed at 10 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. in
the Martin Methodist College Auditorium. Each performance is thirty
minutes in length followed by a thirty- minute audience participatory
demonstration by the dancers. Costume design is by Aubrey Hyde.
In "Carnival of the Animals", the Lion, King of Beasts, cannot
understand why everyone isn't exactly like him. If he is the King, he
must be the best, so of course all the other animals should change. A
wise an patient Bird teaches the arrogant Lion to appreciate the
beauty in each animal's unique qualities. As the audience follows the
Lion through the wild jungle of whimsical characters, he learns that
we are all basically the same, but it is our differences that make
life interesting!
The Tennessee Arts Commission is a state arts agency dedicated to the
mission that the citizens of Tennessee have access to and participate
in the arts. Established in 1967 by the General Assembly as part of
the executive branch of state government, the Commission is dedicated
to supporting excellence in the arts and providing leadership in arts
education. This program is funded by the Tennessee General Assembly
and administered in cooperation with the State of Tennessee, The
Tennessee Arts Commission and the National Endowment for the Arts and
designated agencies throughout Tennessee.
Students from several Giles County Elementary Schools will be in
attendance. Additional seating is available to the general public on a
first come first serve basis. The performances are free and open to
the public. "Although the performance is especially appealing to an
elementary school audience, I hope all the pre-schools and home
schools in Giles County will take advantage of this wonderful
opportunity to experience the magic of a professional ballet
performance. Ever since I took this position as Director of the Giles
County Public Library, I have wanted to bring the Nashville Ballet's
children's touring ballet to Pulaski. With the help of this grant from
The Tennessee Arts Commission and the generosity and partnership of
Martin Methodist College, this dream is a reality."
I was not seated in the 3rd row. I was seated on the last row of the first section, which is midway. There were no reserved seats. It was supposed to be first come first serve,open to the public, per Mrs. Hudson's invitation. There were no teachers involved in what happened. There were only home school families who were told to move and Mrs. Hudson. This is not about home verses public school at all. So no we don't all agree. You don't know the facts. You are going by rumor. If you went to a public event and there were no reserved seats but you were told to move I'm sure you would just get up and move. LIKE I DID! But I bet it might upset you a little. And you might want to know why! Maybe not. But you don't know the facts at all. So how can you decide who is right or wrong?
Reading is just one of the subjects I teach, but if the advertisement says verbatim was was written in the previous post, I fail to see where the controversy lies....
"Students from several Giles County Schools will be in attendance. ADDITIONAL seating is available to the .....on a FIRST COME, FIRST SERVE BASIS...." Doesn't that indicate that the public school children were to be seated first? Not knowing any of the parties personally, I am only expressing my opinion on what I have read of this incident on this venue, so please understand that I don't have any knowledge of this first hand, only what is written here. As I don't have "a dog in this fight," I think I am being objective, but then don't we all think that? Yes, I am a teacher, but I haven't said if I am a homeschool, public school, private school, or professor, so I am not defending either "side." It just seems to me that the homeschool mom is awfully defensive and the person in charge certainly lacks simple tact when speaking to the public. Surely the homeschool mom can understand the necessity of the school children being seated together and the one in charge could have simply requested the seat change, explained the reasoning behind it and pointed out alternative seating arrangements. I actually would have thought that the home school mom, being intelligent enough to teach her children, would have seen that bus loads of kids were arriving and without being asked, discreeting moved on her own. I am, as stated, basing my comments on what was previously written as the ad for this event, if those words are not accurate, then perhaps I will re-think my position. Somebody is making a mountain out of a molehill, and many are just jumping on the bandwagon because of real or perceived injustices by the school system. I have plenty of grievances with the GCBOE, but this issue is not about home-school vs public, it's about common sense, defensiveness, and lack of tact and social interaction.
I will agree with 7:57 on several points. I was there when this happened. What people don't understand, unless they were there is this. There were plenty of available seats when we got there. What happened it seems, was that one of the schools was either late or changed their mind on which show they were going to be attend. I think this caused the upset and Ms Hudson panicked and made the homeschool families get up and wait to see if they showed up. It was not handled very well and I can assure you that Ms Griffith was not the only one who was very upset. I know of several who were talking about writing to the paper and the Tn Art Council and the Library and Nashville Ballet and anyone they thought would listen. I have to agree with Ms Griffith that Ms Hudson used bad judgement in how she handled it. What I don't understand is the reaction from all of the school teachers. As far as I could tell none of them were involved or even cared. Why are they so upset now? They weren't asked to move or bothered in any way. When the MIA school bus didn't show the home school families were allowed to sit down wherever they could find a seat. Why do so many teachers think Ms G or anyone else should not voice their concerns? Should they keep their mouths shut because the schools are the majority? Is it just not acceptable to do anything in this county unless you have the OK from certain people? Maybe you shouldn't speak against any government run thing? Who pays the taxes? Should tax payers be able to speak out? Do home school people pay taxes or use the public places? I don't understand the teachers anger? Why are they angry? They were not involved. I do not read the invite as saying the public schools were to be seated first. No way. It does state that there was additional seating, which should mean PLENTY of seats. She invited the public and many others so why would anyone think public school were to be seated first? It just says they would be there NOT that they were the guests of honor!
Here's another possible reason for home schooling high school kids. I had a GCHS student tell me that he could buy a variety of illegal drugs at the school if he wanted to. I asked a couple of other kids, and they told me the same thing. That is a shameful statement if it's true.
Number 1
This is not a homeschool debate.
Number 2
There were no reserved seats.
Number 3
There were no teachers involved at any time.
Number 4
The public school did not bring the ballet to town. The public library and Martin did.
Number 5
Griffith was not seated close to the front she was in the back.
Number 6
I was there and it happened to me too. It happened to several families.
The problem I have is that there were people who showed up with pre-school children and were seated because of who they were. It seems that if you are a Dr. in town or some other affluent person the rules didn't apply to you. I saw many "public" people who were allowed to sit who were not with the public school system. Why was that? Hudson seems to like to brown nose a lot but if you aren't rich or important then you don't get treated very well. This is all Anna Hudson's fault.
As much controversy as this has caused, there may not be an opportunity again for the children to see it.
That is what is happenning in the world today. It is easier and more politically correct to do nothing than to try to take care of everyone. This could have been handled differently by all involved, and it would have been much less ballyhood and much less painful.
I wonder why an apology isn't just given and a commitment made to deal with future situations in a better way.
I guess we can apologize for just about everything but anything to do with personal responsibility.
It seems that Mrs Hudson is out running around beating the bushes for people to proclaim what a great person she is. Why is that? Does she think if enough people say nice things that she doesn't have to apologize? Does it mean she is above doing that? What typs of person hides behind that kind of thing? Why doesn't she simply admit she was wrong in what she did and go on with life? It makes me sick to see her run around getting people to sing her praises. She was at fault. Nothing can change how she acted but she could try to make it right! Grow up Mrs Hudson. I can't believe they let someone with such questionable character be around children! I don't think she sets a very good example for anyone, let alone children.
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