Public School Census -- "You Must Provide Details About Your Children!"

Letter received this afternoon | 29 October 2002 | Downingtown Area School District

[Malacoda]

I picked up my mail this afternoon and get a heck of a surprise. A letter from the local school district!

Since I have ALREADY given my pound of flesh via school taxes and my toddler is nowhere NEAR school-age, I opened it with trepidation and curiosity. Here's what it says. I put MY commentary in italics:

"In order to forecast the needs of schools and communities, or School District is seeking your help and cooperation in taking an official census. Public school law 1351 requires that we obtain information for a census from all families living in the School District. We must receive this information from everyone living in the District. The information we receive regarding children between the ages of birth to five years helps with further planning within our District.

The School Board and Officials will appreciate your cooperation in answering this questionnaire. Please return this form in the self-addressed envelope so the District will not have to take time to call on you for this information. By answering the questionnaire and mailing it to us promptly you will be saving your School District considerable expense. If you have any questions, please call 610-873-0930, Ext. Dial 1 then 6215.

Adults in the Household: (Please print all information)
Last Name, First Name, Sex, DOB, SSN
Where employed: (for both parents)

Children in this household:
Last Name, First Name, Sex, DOB, SSN, Grade, School

Telephone Number:
Development Name:
Listed or Unlisted?
Owner Resdies Rental Vacant (Circle One)

[kjam22]

School districts are run by people elected in small elections where very few even bother to vote. It is the forum that each of us can have the most impact in.

But I absolutely support your right to homeschool your kids. And I would, if given the opportunity, give you vouchers and wave your portion of taxes that pay for public schools.

I have been an elected official. I know that most locally elected officials are just friends and neighbors trying to do a good job. Sure there are wackos in government. But there are wackos in home school households as well. Homeschooling does not necessairly make one conservative, because I know homeschoolers who are anything but conservative in their beliefs, values, principles, and actions. And being an elected official or sending your kids to public school does not immediately make one a liberal or a socialist.

But calling a person a liberal without knowing anything at all about them... like you have done.... just because they aren't frightened by public schools and don't share your fears is probably uncalled for.

[kjam22]

but to harass someone else who wants to fight government control is most liberal of you

I think if a person goes back and reads my comments... that many will agree you are using a pretty liberal definition of the term "harass". A very unconservative thing to do:)

[Diva Betsy Ross]

Touche my conservative FRiend- the schools are still full of evil people trying to raise socialsits. The schools are still full of good neighbors, some too dumb to know what is really going on , some who want to the "prestidge " of being on school board, some socialists. Perhaps there is a small precentage of school board members and school employees who are trying to change the system. As far as I am concerned ,if they aren't there to change the current system, then they are just as bad as the NEA and the department of Education. This is not the stuff people who wear tin foil hats make up. The control the NEA and others socialsts want is real.Conservatives should ban together to fight it. BTW ALL of the homeschoolers I know are conservatives, some who would make both you and me look left.