[netmilsmom]

This apology came through one of my homeschool groups....
> > Statement from the MAISD Superintendent
> > Michael H. Bozym, Ph.D.
> >
> > September 21, 2004
> >
> > Contact:
> > Kristin Tank
> > Public Information Coordinator
> > MAISD, (231) 767-7263
> >
> > The Muskegon Area Intermediate School District (MAISD) shared
> > the disappointment of others when we learned the September
> > 21, 2004, emergency preparedness drill referenced home
> > schoolers as the fictitious group responsible for a mock
> > disaster. We apologize. The MAISD and local districts were
> > not aware of the scenario, and it was not shared with
> > students or parents who took part in the exercise.
> >
> > According to Dan Stout, Chief Deputy, Emergency Services of
> > Muskegon County, this scenario was constructed in his office.
> > A sample scenario was required in order to receive the
> > necessary funding to stage the event. The Muskegon Area
> > Intermediate School District and our local schools did not
> > construct the scenario, but participated with other county
> > agencies, hospitals, and emergency responders in conducting
> > the drill.
> >
> > This exercise was meant to sharpen the skills and response
> > time of our emergency services personnel, but was
> > unfortunately clouded by the choice of this fictional group.
> > We believe this exercise had everything to do with testing
> > emergency response time and the protection of our children.
> > It had nothing to do with the home school population.
> >
> > As educators, we believe that the first and most important
> > teacher is the parent, whether in home schools, public
> > schools, or non-public schools. We all work together to
> > ensure a safe and secure environment for our children to live
> > and grow.
> >
> > We sincerely regret offending home school educators. We
> > believe that all parents are educators and do important work
> > at home with their children.
> >
> > # # #
> >
> > Please forward all additional questions and comments to the
> > Public Information Coordinator at the Muskegon Area
> > Intermediate School District at ktank@r... or
> > (231) 767-7263.
> >
> >

---

> >

---

> > Apology from Emergency Services of Muskegon County
> >
> > Daniel Stout: (231) 724-6341
> > stoutda@c...
> >
> >
> > In the world today Homeland security is very a important
> > issue. The training of our nation to respond to the many
> > threats we face is of utmost importance. As part of a full
> > scale homeland security exercise on September 21, 2004 in
> > Muskegon, I wrote about a fictional group and fictional
> > scenario for the exercise. This fictional group and scenario
> > made reference to fictional people who are against schools.
> > This fictional group and scenario was not meant to offend any
> > home school students. It has nothing to do with any home
> > school population. Home school students and former students
> > are a very important part of our nation. This scenario will
> > not be used again.
> >
> > Daniel Stout
> > Muskegon County Emergency Services
> >
> > # # #
> >
> > Kristin Tank
> > Public Information Coordinator
> > MAISD
> > 630 Harvey Street
> > Muskegon, MI 49442-2398
> > Phone: 231-767-7263
> > Fax: 231-773-3498
> > E-mail: ktank@r...
> > Visit our Web Site: www.muskegonisd.org
>
>

[Larry Lucido]

Thanks for posting the reply. It's good their feet were held to the fire.

Can't hurt for others to make their feelings known, forcefully but tactfully.

[ArGee]

If public schools were failing everywhere, then the parental outcry would be deafening.

The apologies are nice. If Stoudt had offended homosexuals in this manner, do you think apologies would suffice?

Stoudt needs to attend a diversity reeducation camp or resign if he wants to satisfy me.

What? There are no diversity reeducation programs to help people learn to appreciate homeschoolers? I'm shocked. SHOCKED!

Shalom.

[spodefly]

Thank you for that post. Glad to see they "got the message".

[knuthom]

This scenario will not be used again.

You bet it won't. They are probably getting a lot of flack. This story has been all over the internet and most homeschoolers are well connected in that regard. Because the exercise involved federal funds, I also contacted my congressman and senators.

[agrace]

Thanks for posting the responses. LG, check out the school district's and emergency services' emailed apologies.