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Weight Grade on Report Cards Angers Parents (Wyoming School District Uses BMI to Grade)
ABC News ^ | May 8, 2007 | JOHN DONVAN and KATIE HINMAN

Posted on 05/10/2007 3:00:54 PM PDT by Baladas

Four times during the school year in Campbell County, Wyo., the school sends report cards home. Anxious parents and worried students are provided with the typical grading categories -- academic performance, attendance and a work ethic score.

But here in Gillette, there's an additional grade that has some families up in arms.

It's called the body mass index, or BMI, a calculation based on height and weight that indicates whether your kid is too fat. The school chooses the word "overweight." If your child scores too high, it's the fitness equivalent of a bad grade. When Taylor Barbour came home with a BMI score of 32, seven points over the "normal range," his mother, Rosie Barbour, was none too pleased. Her anger was directed not at her 12-year-old son but at the school.

"It just doesn't have any place in the school," said Barbour. "It's fine if you want to teach them how to eat healthy, and make better choices during health class, but I don't think giving them BMI on their report card" is the answer.

'The Strong Kids Club' On top of that, the school district sent a letter in the mail inviting Taylor -- and 172 other kids with high BMI scores -- to join an exercise program three times of week. It's called the Strong Kids Club and came free to his family, with a promise that "it will be fun."

(Excerpt) Read more at abcnews.go.com ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Government; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: health; healthnazis; healthypeople2010; leftistagenda; nannystate; publiceducation; publikskoolz; unitednationsagenda
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To: Gabz

I want to move in with you. ;-)


121 posted on 05/12/2007 9:02:02 AM PDT by HungarianGypsy
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To: napscoordinator; wintertime

No, you get no prize, because wintertime refuses to acknowlege the experiences and observations of others that run counter to her experiences and observations. In her world there is no such thing as a fat homeschooler, your world and my world are different - but they don’t count in her world because we are different.

I spent 12 years in Catholic schools and wouldn’t trade my HS education for anything. My alma mater consistently ranks in the top 100 in the nation in publications such as USNews, Newsweek, and Time. Unfortunately where we used to live, many of the public elementary schools were far superior to the local Catholic one, and the public schools were sub-par IMO.


122 posted on 05/12/2007 9:13:04 AM PDT by Gabz (Nemo me impune lacessit (Latin for "No-one provokes me with impunity"))
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To: SoftballMominVA
I think it may be a third option...

Thank you and you have an excellent point there. The truth of the matter is we create our life the way we want it to be -- but it may not be necessarily be the best.

BUT!

We have it within us to make changes from coveting "things" to enjoying life as it was intended to be...

123 posted on 05/12/2007 9:16:54 AM PDT by John123 (Bill barely mentions Hillary in his memoirs... I will now light myself on fire)
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To: Baladas

This makes perfect sense if you understand that the purpose of public schools is to take over from parents the function of child-rearing.


124 posted on 05/12/2007 9:18:56 AM PDT by Zack Nguyen
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To: wintertime
” Homeschoolers don’t need to wait until summer.

My own kids actively played outside roller blading, bike riding, digging holes and snow forts, swinging, throwing balls, etc, **all** year long.

Other homeschool moms that I have known report the same. Is this the reason I have never met a fat home schooler who has been home schooled from the beginning?”

Ok, first of all, I wasn't talking ABOUT homeschooling in this post. I also was not “talking” to you. I was discussing what I am (IN EARNEST) trying to do for my child and his health and well being. I would think that YOU would take that opportunity to be supportive.
Rather, you have decided that this is another moment for you to “slam” others and their choices for their children.
In specific regards to your statement, my children are not waiting until the summer to play either.
However, in the area that we are in, although it is not a seedy or dangerous area, most children do not go “out to play” by themselves or even with a group.
It is a fear mentality that drives this practice.
One, that I have a personal desire to change.
As a member of a conservative forum, or even just as another mom in the world, I am surprised that you wouldn't’t applaud such an idea.
Why is that?

Now, as far as homeschooling your children. I am going to attempt to ask you a few questions nicely.

Do you want (or wish that) other people would chose to homeschool their children?

I am assuming the answer is yes.
Why then, are you attacking the very people you would like to persuade?

Perhaps, however, the answer is no?
Why?

In closing, you don’t really know anything about me, do you?

What you don’t know is that I hang out with a large group of home schoolers. I know a lot about homeschooling. I have NEVER said a bad word about homeschooling.
And, I am VERY happy that it is a movement that is growing.
It DOES, by its very existence threaten the other schools (public and private) into paying more attention to what should be important in schools!
That is a GOOD THING!

From the very beginning of this thread, you have been on “the attack”. Why?

Aren’t we on the same team here?

You don’t know my kids. You don’t know me. Perhaps we could have had a nice discussion about homeschooling, or playing outside or whatever.

125 posted on 05/12/2007 9:23:41 AM PDT by M0sby (((PROUD WIFE of MSgt Edwards USMC)))
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To: SoftballMominVA

OMG - a public school educated child.........

Do I really need the sarcasm tag?


126 posted on 05/12/2007 9:46:35 AM PDT by Gabz (Nemo me impune lacessit (Latin for "No-one provokes me with impunity"))
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To: HungarianGypsy

I seriously think you want to do that - I am not a pleasant task-master :)


127 posted on 05/12/2007 9:51:49 AM PDT by Gabz (Nemo me impune lacessit (Latin for "No-one provokes me with impunity"))
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To: HungarianGypsy
ACK-----------

My comment should have been :

I seriously DON'T think you want to do that - I am not a pleasant task-master :)

OK - time to get back out in the beans.

128 posted on 05/12/2007 9:56:15 AM PDT by Gabz (Nemo me impune lacessit (Latin for "No-one provokes me with impunity"))
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To: Dianna

our pediatrician has always been very positive even though my kids “officially” are overweight according to the BMI charts, he has never seemed worried.
They are tall for their ages, and they are muscular.
They don’t look fat, and they get plenty of exercise.

The only time they looked heavy was right before their growth spurts. In fact, my oldest son probably spent over a year at that pudgy stage before his height too off and he slimmed out.

The doctor said everybody is different and the charts cannot possibly be accurate for everyone.

If politicians want to try and legislate this one it is going to be a real mess.


129 posted on 05/12/2007 11:35:18 AM PDT by Scotswife
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To: M0sby

wintertime has a one track mind.
It is ALL about homeschooling and feeling superior to those who don’t.

Don’t take it personally.


130 posted on 05/12/2007 11:38:04 AM PDT by Scotswife
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To: Scotswife; mosby

I am glad you know that all homeschoolers do not have a superior attitude. Those who do even make other homeschoolers feel lower than dirt if there children are not doing calculus before the age of 10. My children are advanced in some areas, behind in other areas, and average in others. It all depends on how the children learn. Just like I get annoyed with NEA types who talk about all the bad things homeschoolers do in their eyes. I also get peeved with homeschoolers who look down on others for making a different choice. I thought the whole thing was supposed to be about what’s best for our own children.


131 posted on 05/12/2007 11:56:55 AM PDT by HungarianGypsy
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To: Scotswife

“It is ALL about homeschooling and feeling superior to those who don’t.

Don’t take it personally.”

I KNOW you’re right..it is just frustrating, ya know?

Because I am VERY, VERY supportive of homeschooling!

It is not what we are choosing. But that is not to say that it wouldn’t be something we would choose down the road~
It is sad to me that someone who values something so much would do so much to alienate other people.
What a bummer for homeschoolers who do such an EXCELLENT job representing their cause!


132 posted on 05/12/2007 12:22:13 PM PDT by M0sby (((PROUD WIFE of MSgt Edwards USMC)))
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To: HungarianGypsy

“I am glad you know that all homeschoolers do not have a superior attitude.”

I do...and thank you!
I am sure that you are doing the BEST for your kids~
And I am doing a darn fine job as well!

“I get annoyed with NEA types who talk about all the bad things homeschoolers do in their eyes.”

YOU ARE SO RIGHT!!! I get so annoyed as well! (I actually work in education...and pay dues..which is EXTREMELY FRUSTRATING when one does not AGREE with the NEA on so many levels!)

Thanks for your comments!

Happy Mother’s Day to you!


133 posted on 05/12/2007 12:24:49 PM PDT by M0sby (((PROUD WIFE of MSgt Edwards USMC)))
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To: HungarianGypsy; Scotswife; M0sby; wintertime
Just like I get annoyed with NEA types who talk about all the bad things homeschoolers do in their eyes. I also get peeved with homeschoolers who look down on others for making a different choice.

This is exactly my posiiton and why I have serious doubts that the poster is or was a homeschooler. She strikes me as the kind of person that is using the absurd to totally discredit one segment of this equation, and that segment is the homeschoolers.

Some of the homeschoolers to whom I have forwarded some of these threads have not bothered to reply by email, but rather have picked up the phone and asked with indcredulity "You've got to be kidding, this person is nuts. S/h/it is no way representative of true homeschoolers."

Take that as you will - I am just reporting my experience.

134 posted on 05/12/2007 1:19:00 PM PDT by Gabz (Nemo me impune lacessit (Latin for "No-one provokes me with impunity"))
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To: M0sby
(I actually work in education...and pay dues..which is EXTREMELY FRUSTRATING when one does not AGREE with the NEA on so many levels!)

Ah, you are in a at will state - which honestly is frustrating as you have little or no choice in where your money goes. Did you know that upwards of 75% of the money received by the NEA comes from at will states? These are people like yourself that are forced to fork over $$ as a price of hire. Where is the outrage about that? Want to de-fang the NEA and AFL-CIO and Teamsters? Give employees a choice as to whether to join a union, if any and watch their influence dry up and blow away in weeks.

135 posted on 05/12/2007 1:23:52 PM PDT by SoftballMominVA
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To: Gabz

Thank you so much for the post. I have read many of the others and I think pretty much agree with you 100 percent which I am glad. I seriously support Homeschooling if it is right for the family, but could never insult others for picking another means of their children getting an education. That Catholic Education you received did A LOT of good!!!!!


136 posted on 05/12/2007 1:35:22 PM PDT by napscoordinator (.)
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To: Gabz

One of the reason (a few others too) I don’t homeschool is that I have absolutely no patients and would probably do more damage than not. My wife would be better than me. I am good to assist the kids with their homework which I do enjoy, but would probably poke out my eyeballs if I had to do it all day. lol. Good for those parents who do it.


137 posted on 05/12/2007 1:38:25 PM PDT by napscoordinator (.)
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To: SoftballMominVA

“Ah, you are in a at will state - which honestly is frustrating as you have little or no choice in where your money goes. Did you know that upwards of 75% of the money received by the NEA comes from at will states? These are people like yourself that are forced to fork over $$ as a price of hire. Where is the outrage about that? Want to de-fang the NEA and AFL-CIO and Teamsters? Give employees a choice as to whether to join a union, if any and watch their influence dry up and blow away in weeks.”

Oh I SOOOOO know what you are talking about.
And our state union has been in DEEP DOO DOO for the last SEVERAL years regarding their UNAUTHORIZED USE of our dues for campaign purposes.
It is a HUGELY long story that begins with them getting in BIG TROUBLE and then having that overturned and now having it go all the way to the SUPREME COURT!
You can read about it here:
http://www.heartland.org/Article.cfm?artId=20934

It can cause one to go crazy!
And our Governor (Dem) just signed this bill into law which circumvents some of what it being appealed to the USSC.
http://www.theolympian.com/130/story/103882.html

So...around we go...

(Luckily we have the Evergreen Freedom Foundation here...)


138 posted on 05/12/2007 2:28:59 PM PDT by M0sby (((PROUD WIFE of MSgt Edwards USMC)))
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To: Gabz; HungarianGypsy; Scotswife; wintertime
” This is exactly my posiiton and why I have serious doubts that the poster is or was a homeschooler. She strikes me as the kind of person that is using the absurd to totally discredit one segment of this equation, and that segment is the homeschoolers.

Some of the homeschoolers to whom I have forwarded some of these threads have not bothered to reply by email, but rather have picked up the phone and asked with indcredulity “You’ve got to be kidding, this person is nuts. S/h/it is no way representative of true homeschoolers.”

Take that as you will - I am just reporting my experience.”

That would be so sad.
Someone working that hard to discredit such a wonderful and successful option.
Homeschoolers have had to work so hard over the last years in order to bring REAL and RECOGNIZED credit (that they well deserve) to their efforts. That one person would possibly seek to undo all that they have done would truly be unfortunate.

Why on EARTH would someone want to discredit such a group?

Sad.

139 posted on 05/12/2007 2:31:59 PM PDT by M0sby (((PROUD WIFE of MSgt Edwards USMC)))
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To: M0sby; Gabz; shag377
Why on EARTH would someone want to discredit such a group?

Because they want that type of group gone. Gabz has posited before that some posters here are actually NEA plants who go on the most ridiculous rants just to make homeschoolers look bad. I don't know if that is true or not, and at first I 'pooh-poohed' the idea, but now I'm starting to come around to her side. Some things are just way, WAY too bizarre to be the product of a rational mind and a deep believer in homeschooling. When someone compares sending a child to a public school to the equivalent of feeding them poison, woah, that's out there. But who knows who is on the other side of the screen? I figure I have to account for me and what goes on in my class, other people are in charge of themselves.

I have nothing bad to say about parents who homeschool or choose another way of education. Competition is good - all it does is make our society and future generations stronger as we all adapt to the complicated populace we serve.

140 posted on 05/12/2007 3:20:20 PM PDT by SoftballMominVA
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