An INSANE situation up in Waltham, Massachusetts

Conservative Alerts.Com ^ | Chuck Muth

[webber]

An INSANE situation up in Waltham, Massachusetts

This one's so Outrageous, it makes our blood boil just to think of it. Take a look at his message:

ISSUE: Kim and George Bryant have been home-schooling their two kids, George (15) and Nyssa (13), much to the chagrin of the Waltham Public School (WPS) system. The Bryants thus far have refused to force their children to take a government-mandated standardized test to assess their education level.

The WPS empire struck back last year, obtaining a court order giving custody of the kids to the Department of Social Services (DSS), which ever since has been threatening to take the kids away from their parents.

As the MetroWest Daily News reported on Friday, "Both sides agree that the children are in no way abused mentally, physically, sexually or emotionally, but legal custody of the children was taken from Kim and George Bryant in December 2001." They were ruled to be "unfit" for not filing educational plans with the government.

Unfit. For not filing paperwork. With the government school system. Over the education of their OWN children.

In fact, George Bryant was actually ARRESTED six years ago for failing to comply with the government's dictates over the home-schooled education of HIS children.

Arrested!!...Thrown in jail!!...Like a criminal!!...For taking personal responsibility for the education of HIS kids.

This six-year legal battle exploded on Thursday as bureaucrats from the DSS showed up at the Bryants' home with police escorts at 7:45 a.m. and attempted to remove the children from their home and force them to take the mandated tests.

Once again, the Bryants told the government agents to pound dirt, resulting in a seven-hour standoff.

"This has been a six-year battle between the Waltham Public Schools and our family over who is in control of the education of our children," said Bryant.

How DARE these parents stand up to the government and defend their right to raise their children as they see fit? Who do they think they are?

At least, that's the attitude of one outrageous government bureaucrat involved in this brouhaha. "We have the legal custody of the children and we will do with them as we see fit," DSS trooper Susan Etscovitz told the Bryants Thursday morning. "They are minors and they do what we tell them to do."

It is near impossible to describe the rage I feel inside every time I read those chilling words. WE will do with them as WE see fit. They do what WE tell them to do.

The sheer audacity of a bureaucrat to make such a statement about someone else's children who are in no way abused in any shape, form or fashion is beyond comprehension to me.

Comrade Etscovitz maintained on Thursday that, "No one wants these children to be put in foster homes. The best course of action would be for (the Bryants) to instruct the children to take the test."

One can just imagine her words being delivered with a thick East German accent: "undt now, all vee need eez dee kidz!"

This isn't about education. It's about control. It's about an imperial government trying to crush a movement in its infancy which could one day spell the end of the public school monopoly over our kids' educations.

Home-schooling means children might start learning again. REAL learning. Not "whole language" and "self-esteem." Learning about radical notions such as freedom, liberty and personal responsibility. Notions such as limited government and the Constitution and the vision of our Founding Fathers.

Yeah, we can't have THAT!

ACTION ITEM: As it appears that DSS is getting its marching orders from the Waltham Public Schools, it seems the best place to start is with the School Superintendent there. Her name is Dr. Susan Parrella. She can be reached via email at:

parrellas@k12.waltham.ma.us
or by phone at:
(781) 314-5400
or fax at:
(781) 314-5411.

Emails are great... but nothing quite ruins a bureaucrat's day like dealing with a flood of phone calls. I know. I just called. The woman who answered the phone hung up on me when she found out what I was calling about. They do NOT want to answer any questions about this.

Oh, and by the way. I reached Ms. Etscovitz this morning. She was not a happy camper once she found out what I was calling about. Refused to comment on her "we will do with them as we see fit" statement, saying only, "I'm terminating this conversation now," before slamming the phone down.

I think it would really bug her if a lot of people called (781) 641-8500, so please, please don't rattle her cage, OK? That number not to call again to reach Susan Etscovitz is (781) 641-8500. That's (781) 641-8500. (You could also fax her at 781-648-6909.)

-- Chuck Muth, ConservativeAlerts.Com

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We normally set up a website with a pre-written letter to Congress, etc. However, we thought it would be much more effective for our members to make contact as described above, in their own words. If you get a response you'd like to share, be sure to drop us a note. As this issue develops and is "bumped up the ladder" of responsibility, we'll let you know who to contact next.

NOTE: The situation in Waltham has gotten WAY out of hand.

Outraged Americans across the country need to contact these bureaucrats NOW to express their outrage and demand they do the RIGHT thing. Be sure to forward this email to everyone you know who wants to help save parental choice in America, starting in Massachusetts. p> Thank you!

--Chuck Muth, ConservativeAlerts.Com

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[Sarah]

I know of the American Network Chiropractic's (and many homeopaths, naturopaths, accupuncturists') school of thought (immune system vs. vaccination) and I understand the reluctance to vaccinate (we did them as late as possible as I also noticed difficult side effects, which are much lighter as the child ages.) Here in France they have something called Ostheopathy which is more advanced than any Chiropractic that I found in the States, but they don't even attempt to dissuade vaccination.
Just know that you are lucky that Polio, German Measles, and Small Pox are no longer a threat for your kids, due to the mandatory vaccination program in much of the world.
This is not really a criticism of your not vaccinating your children, but, like the original subject of the post, an attempt to reconcile the desires and needs of the individual with the good of society. (ie: other individuals...)
Best, Sarah

[Zack Nguyen]

So if parents don't send their children to public schools and don't want them to take state tests, that is good cause to worry that they might be producing a psychopathic child?

Have these children exhibited psychopathic behavior? Is there any reason to believe that they may be a danger to others? If not, why is it the state's business what they do?

[The Californian]

This is not really a criticism of your not vaccinating your children, but, like the original subject of the post, an attempt to reconcile the desires and needs of the individual with the good of society. (ie: other individuals...)

Well, it is probably more a political position, socialist v. individualist (by whatever names you call them) both for the homeschooling and for the vaccinations.

As for the vaccinations, if you want to know more about them there are several good books out. "A shot in the dark" is one good one, but there are several. In my case, according to the manufacturers recommendation none of my kids should be vaccinated because of the type of adverse reaction of one of my kids. The problem is, almost no one knows about manufacturers recommendations, there are no studies done to show cause and effect and a multitude of other things that are done for any other type of medical procedure in America. If my doctor hadn't know to do some research, I shudder to think what would have happened. My son probably would have been one of the ones "sacrificed for the good of all". Did my niece die from cancer because of the known cancer causing agents in her vaccines? We'll never know. I am not comfortable with group rights overriding individual rights, especially in the case of personal health.

Frankly, if you would have asked me 15 years ago if I would have unvaccinated, homeschooled kids, I would have thought you were crazy. We have come to this through a lot of long, hard steps.

[Sarah]

I was just thinking about the fact that you need a Doctor, as you had, to opt out of the vaccination process.
We've been following all the schedules (albeit around 1-2 years late.)
Like I said before, we've been providing a combination of private and home schooling for our children, but I understand completely the need for legal oversite. I mean there was a reason that the child labor laws and mandatory education were signed into law. Some parents, whether for neccessity or selfishness may decide to keep the kids out of school to help on the farm, or with the chores etc.

[The Californian]

Legal oversite is highly overrated. Most public schools can't even successfully oversee the schools they run, much less schools they don't even understand. As for the vaccines, there are three ways to opt out in California, medical, religious and one other way I can't remember. It took some strong individuals that I probably wouldn't agree with to get those through. I benefitted by stubborn people standing firm.

Good luck on the schooling. What grades are your kids?

[sauropod]

Heh! Sounds like a plan!

[radiohead]

<The Amish don't go to public school

actually, yes they do. they just don't stay in them for very long. i don't think they graduate high school.

radiohead (10 years in pa w/lotsa amish)
see also : Wisconsin v. Yoder, 406 U.S. 205 (1972) (didn't shepardize, but don't think it's been overturned.)

[freebilly]

Here in France...

I think we've found the root of the problem....

[hirn_man]

How about punishing one because the one screwed up?
Everyone who isn't an anarchist isn't necessarilly a socialist.
And there are a lot of anarchists on this thread that have a phobia for anything with the root "social" in it.
We are a social animal. We take comfort in living with our own kind(at least some of us).
Society (to a point) is a good thing, it lets us settle our differences without killing each other(if we let it).

[kdmhcdcfld]

Superintendent of the Waltham Public Schools:

Dr. Susan Parrella

parrellas@k12.waltham.ma.us

Phone: (781) 314-5400
Fax: (781) 314-5411

[dark_lord]

...The education of children is, finally and fundamentally, the province of the parents.

I agree with this statement.

That said, there is a continuum that runs from:
Children are the property of their parents. Their parents own them and if they want they can sexually abuse, torture, and kill them....to
Children are the property of the state. The state owns them and can sexually abuse, torture, and kill them.

Most of us don't agree with either extreme.

[Sarah]

Don't get scared but there's a big world out there.
Long story ... why we're here, but suffice it to say that Chirac doesn't ask our opinion before setting foreign policy.

[CyberCowboy777]

Sarah to the colonist

Just pay the taxes and shut up!

[CyberCowboy777]

The state has no right to FORCE testing.

The question is can a state FORCE compliance to education standards and testing. Would you agree that the State could force socialist indoctrination or one particular religion? Once you give the state supreme power to FORCE education and by it's standards your right to self determination and thus the right to Liberty and the pursuit of happiness are taken. Rights that cannot be forfeited or taken by State or Fed as they are inalienable rights foundational to the U.S. Constitution, making them Fact of law.

The state can only intervene if life or property is at risk per the rule of law. Children studied at home may or may not be 'harmed' as determined by some abstract social/economic standards (who sets the standards and will you agree when 'they' are diametrically opposed to your way of life?) but the body or harm cannot be produce in fact so the government has no place.

It is Tyranny.

[quietolong]

Is it ? It’s Representative of many of the questions asked on these tests.
For someone that is smart, well educated or have an interest in an area. Would have a hard time with.
But that’s my point The question is open to interpretation.
What happens when the test taker is smarter that the test maker.

[Courier]

This isn't forced religion (constitutionally prohibited) or socialist indoctrination (violation of free speech and assembly).

But, yes, the State can test if the child knows how much is five times five or that the Earth revolves around the Sun.

[webber]

BUT it appears you have no problem that the pubic skoos teach a onesided education such as Evolution ONLY, No religion, Abortion is moral, Homosexuality is just another NORMAL lifestyle, demonrats are right, GOP is wrong, US is a DEMOCRACY, not a republic, The Pledge of Allegiance is illegal and unconstitutional, In God We Trust should be removed from all Gov't monies, buildings, etc, Separation of Church From State is the 1st a Amendment, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin were not Christians, America was not founded on Christian principles, courts should not use the Bible to swear in those who are giving testimony, condoms should be used because sex is good and fun, and necessary for a healthy life and should not be restricted to married couples nor with members of opposite sexes, what you think is good and right, wrong and evil is up to you and no ne else, not even your parents, but public school teachers know better than your parents so listen to them and not your parents, and so on and so on.

[webber]

"Response: Assuming the truth is being reported correctly: Do you not have trees in Massachusetts? Do you not have feathered creatures? Is not tar and/or molasses sold in the State? Was not something dumped in Boston harbor a long, long time ago? I do not understand".

Come down from what you're on, and then go back and read the post again. You'll understand then,.........I hope.

[webber]

"They don't (yet) know the story of the Bryants and the commissar of childrens' propaganda who is harrassing them. They'd be very annoyed if anybody called."

That's a bunch of "Horse Pucky!!" That's just the standardized answer they were told to give to callers so as deflect all questions to them.

[webber]

"How do you know the parents aren't a couple of psychopaths?"

Oh, I see, if the kids are educated in the pubic skoos, then they will go home and teach their parents that they should not be psychopaths, thus stopping the indoctrination process by their parents...right? NOT!!