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CA: Teacher's lawsuit moves forward (Cupertino/Stevens Creek Elementary)
Mercury News ^ | 4/29/05 | Sandra Gonzales

Posted on 04/29/2005 9:11:16 AM PDT by NormsRevenge

In a case that put the national spotlight on Cupertino, a federal court ruling Thursday pushed forward a fifth-grade teacher's discrimination lawsuit against the Cupertino Union School District.

Stephen J. Williams, a teacher at Stevens Creek Elementary School, filed a lawsuit in November, claiming Principal Patricia Vidmar and other district officials violated his constitutional rights when they restricted his use of excerpts from historical documents that contained references to God.

Thursday, U.S. District Judge James Ware denied the district's motion to dismiss the central claim to Williams' case, in which he states he was treated differently because he is a Christian.

The district has maintained that Williams was prohibited from using certain handouts containing excerpts from historical documents because they had been edited to highlight religion to a degree that would have violated longstanding policies.

``There's been a lot of media hype about this case. But in the cold, clear light of the courtroom, the judge examined this and found that there's some merit to what Williams is saying, which shows there's some real substance to this case,'' said Jordan Lorence, an attorney for the Alliance Defense Fund, which is representing Williams. The Alliance Defense Fund is an Arizona-based legal group backed by Christian ministries.

--snip--

``We're quite happy that the three claims were dismissed because we always thought he didn't have a case. I think it's going to be hard to prove the other claim,'' said Nathalie Schular, a parent of two students at the school. ``This has affected everyone, the parents, the teachers, the staff and the kids in a very bad way,'' she said, referring to the 3,000 hostile e-mails and phone calls to the school in the wake of the lawsuit.

(Excerpt) Read more at mercurynews.com ...


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Culture/Society; Government; Politics/Elections; US: California
KEYWORDS: california; churchandstate; cupertino; education; elementary; forward; lawsuit; moves; pspl; stevenscreek; teacher
said Nathalie Schular, a parent of two students at the school. ``This has affected everyone, the parents, the teachers, the staff and the kids in a very bad way,''

---

Tough, Nathalie!

Considering you apparently find it ok to let your kids be educated to be nothing more than little heathen in the schools wth no knowledge of their country's foundational history, I guess we know who you side with when it comes to other societal issues as well.

1 posted on 04/29/2005 9:11:16 AM PDT by NormsRevenge
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To: kenth; CatoRenasci; Marie; PureSolace; Congressman Billybob; P.O.E.; cupcakes; Amelia; Diana; ...

2 posted on 04/29/2005 9:17:01 AM PDT by Born Conservative ("Mr. Chamberlain loves the working man, he loves to see him work" - Winston Churchill)
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To: NormsRevenge

I certainly hope this fella prevails. The leftist/socialist anti-value teaching system needs to be beaten-up real good and a precedent NEEDS TO BE SET. That is why this case is real important. Not good that it is taking place in California, in terms of getting an UNBIASED JUDGE involved.


3 posted on 04/29/2005 9:17:49 AM PDT by EagleUSA
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U.S. District Judge Willie James Ware

http://www.fa-ir.org/ai/judgeware.htm

Judge Ware was appointed by GB1 to the District Court in 1990.

In 1997, he was nominated to the 9th Circus by Clinton but withdrew after controversy arose over past misstatements. (See link.)


4 posted on 04/29/2005 9:20:36 AM PDT by NormsRevenge (Semper Fi ...... The War on Terrorism is the ultimate 'faith-based' initiative.)
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To: EagleUSA

This Judge has a bit of history to him as well.

I think we will be OK on this one.

If not there's always the 9th Circus. ;-)


5 posted on 04/29/2005 9:21:33 AM PDT by NormsRevenge (Semper Fi ...... The War on Terrorism is the ultimate 'faith-based' initiative.)
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To: NormsRevenge

Anybody who turns their precious child over to a public school deserves whatever they get.


6 posted on 04/29/2005 9:24:56 AM PDT by gridlock (ELIMINATE PERVERSE INCENTIVES)
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To: NormsRevenge

If not there's always the 9th Circus. ;-)
-----
Arrrggghhh!!! I hope the next big shaker takes the state into the Pacific. I will ride it down, waving the American flag...at least we will have ridded the country the largest stinking liberal swamp in the country...


7 posted on 04/29/2005 9:26:45 AM PDT by EagleUSA
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To: NormsRevenge
That is bizarre.
8 posted on 04/29/2005 9:38:06 AM PDT by planekT (Go DeLay, Go!)
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To: EagleUSA

For long years we heard the mantra of "Cupertino Elementary Schools are great / the best / a national benchmark / etc." I have to admit, I am a product of them myself, but long years ago, in a different time. But to be quite frank, even then, I found the hype to be totally out of line with the reality. I did have one really good (traditional Catholic, authoritarian) principle, who would never make it today due to his non PC approach. But the bottom line is, the whole Cupertino thing was always more hype than reality. And of course today, dealing with the whole Chinese "diaspora" the approach has moved overtly to one that embraces an increasing anti Western element. Good luck to this guy and may the CESD get smacked upside the head.


9 posted on 04/29/2005 9:50:30 AM PDT by GOP_1900AD (Stomping on "PC," destroying the Left, and smoking out faux "conservatives" - Take Back The GOP!)
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To: GOP_1900AD
And of course today, dealing with the whole Chinese "diaspora" the approach has moved overtly to one that embraces an increasing anti Western element.

More detail please? ;-)

10 posted on 04/29/2005 10:47:13 AM PDT by SteveH (First they ignore you. Then they laugh at you. Then they fight you. Then you win.)
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To: SteveH

That's a major factor driving diversity programs in Cupertino schools. In 1970, Cupertino, Sunnyvale and Los Altos (the cities the district touches) were substantially homogenous, WASPy communities. Cupertino has become very Chinese, and Sunnyvale and Los Altos are not far behind. And just to be clear, I am not speaking out against the newly arrived - I am simply pointing out the impacts their arrival have had on the sociological environment affecting the Cupertino schools.


11 posted on 04/29/2005 12:04:35 PM PDT by GOP_1900AD (Stomping on "PC," destroying the Left, and smoking out faux "conservatives" - Take Back The GOP!)
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To: gridlock

Shhhh. Don't tell that to my students' parents. They actually are learning quite a bit.


12 posted on 04/29/2005 12:33:24 PM PDT by moog
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To: Born Conservative
Please add me to your list. We confronted public as well as private officials during my children's school days. Now it's the grand kids. Thanks for being a watch dog.
13 posted on 04/29/2005 2:00:46 PM PDT by vivabushchick ("Tour Free Iraq, courtesy USA Armed Forces ")
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To: vivabushchick

Check your FReepmail.


14 posted on 04/29/2005 6:40:12 PM PDT by Born Conservative ("Mr. Chamberlain loves the working man, he loves to see him work" - Winston Churchill)
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