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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes-Advocate, 1985-05-15, Page 17Some parents are teaching their Parents wishing to have their children's education based on Chris- tian values and principles are seek- ing alternatives to the public school system. Some have opted to counter what they believe to be ungodly in- fluences by removing their children from the classroom and teaching them at home. Under section 22 of the education act, a child is excused from attending a public school if he or she is receiv- ing satisfactory instruction at home or elsewhere. In individual situations involving five or fewer children, responsibility for supervision rests with the local board of education. The ministry of education takes over in cases where more than five students 4-' are being taught outside the public system. Currently nine families in the coun- ty are under the supervision of the Huron board of education. One of these families is the Grahams at KR S Dashwood. Dan and Willie Grahain did not en- roll 'their eight-year-old twin sons. Ben and Jon, in Zurich Public School last September. The boys were registered instead with the Canadian Christian Academy at Stroud. and began working in their kitchen classroom on lesson materials provid- ed by Accelerated Christian Educa- tion in Lewisville, Texas. sup- plemented by English and science lessons from the Rod and Staff cur- riculum used in Old Order Mennonite schools. The Lessons are sent to Stroud 10 be marked. The Grahams explained that after three years of public schooling. their children's reading skills were very poor, and their attention span short. The parents also objected to rock and roll tapes being used to supply the music for gymnastics. and were con- cerned about the'bad language and other undesirable behaviour their children were exposed to while riding back and forth in the school bus. "I became convinced it was my du= ty to take charge of the' boys' educa- tion". Graham said forcefully. Ile - backed his statement by opening his Bible and beginning to read at verse six of Deuteronomy. chapter six: "These word which i command thee this day shall be in thine heart, and thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way. and when thou hest down. and when thou risest up" • By teaching their children at home, the Grahams can provide the desired atmosphere for their children's scholastic and extra -curricular activities. Before beginning the Basic Educa- tion at-home program. the boys were given the California achievement test to assess their abilities. The material allows each child to work at his own speed and learn at his own pace. The course is designed to not only give children mastery of the basic skills in reading, writing and arithmetic, but to 'develop strong moral character based on the Biblical absolutes and precepts accepted by most Christians regardless of denomination. A typical school day begins with physical education. followed by prayer. Jon and Ben keep daily jour- nals. where the first entry each day is a Bible verse they have chosen. Lessons in English grammar, which the boys agree is -their most difficult subject. come next. while young minds are fresh and alert. After a AO -minute break the boys plunge into their favourite subject. math. That keeps theth busy until noon. The morning's work is duscussed during dinner. The boys are allowed a short break before tackling spelling, social studies and science. Part of the children's practical knowledge, a hands-on course in animal husbandry. comes from helping their father with the Graham's mule. cow. two horses and some chickens. Mondays are usually family tun days, and Fridays are reserved for field trips - to practice the art of dickering at a sates barn, or to pick wild grapes and bring them home to May 15, 1985 be turned into jetty. The boys' progress is being monitored by Paul Carroll. superintendent of student services with the Huron board of education. who is required to visit the homes of each family under his supervision three times a year. Carroll's job is three -fold: he must confirm the presence of curriculum and support materials in the home. ensure the child has work and is do- ing it. and assess growth. Carroll said he is impressed with the parents' sincerity, and the dedica- tion and effort they are putting into the task of teaching their children. "W'e work hard not to intrude into a family's value system", Carroll said. "Parents have removed their children for values or religious reasons, and that is their right. We live in a complex society. with the multiplicity of values systems. The public schools have to be generalist. and can't take a slanted approach. Our responsibility is to make sure the children are getting a satisfactory education" . Zurich Public School principal Don O'Brien was sorry to ldse two students, but respects the parents' rights to teachJon and Ben at home. "Quite often, when parents ask what they can do to help their children. 1 suggest togetherness". )'Brien said. "i tell the parents to sit down and talk to their children, read to them. This could be a very positive experience as far as the Graham family is concerned". Jim and Theresa Brand. also of KR 3 Dashwood, withdrew their second - youngest child, Jennifer, from Stephen Central kindergarten in December. Mrs. Brand said she and her husband had been displeased for several years with "what was going on", but didn't realize until recently that parents could take their children out of the public system. "We are to teach our children at all times. but we can't do it in our own strength; it's a step of faith", Mrs. Brand explained. As Christians, the Brands are op- posed to the promotion of pagan celebrations like Hallowe'en, don't approve of Santa Claus stealing Christ from Christmas and did not like some of the plays staged by the school. Stephen Central principal Don F'inkbeiner outlined what he believes is the school's responsibility: We are looking after your children. We are in the care of the curriculum and teaching methods. If you as parents want Imes-Ddvocate Serving South Huron, North Middlesex &North lambton Since 1873 .. PagelA children at home something added orchanged,you are encouraged to conte and see it together we can work out a suitable solution. Finkbeiner said parents are inform- ed by newsletter ahead of time of :ill dramatics. theatre arts and other per- formances at Stephen Central, and he is pleased when parents are in- terested enough in what is going on to ask for more information. Parents may have their children excused from active of passive participation in these special events. Finkbeiner agrees the parents who have taken their children out of school truly want what is best for those children. "1 -would hope the parents are making all the right decisions", Finkbeiner said. That is also Carroll's concern. The superintendent said he has cautioned all the parents that there's is no way to accumulate credits if a child wishes to return to the public school system. Secondary school certification recognized by accredited universities would also be difficult to obtain. This does not worry either the Brands or the Grahams. Both families intend to educate their children privately to the grade 12 level. After that, "Our children will not be going to a secular university. That would defeat our purpose", Mrs. Brand said. When asked. both Jon and Ben Graham said they preferred -being taught at home. According to their parents. neither child has ever in dicated at any time- in the past six months that he wished to return to his former school. Teaching their children at home has been a learning experience for both generation of Grahams. When you pull your children out of school. you learn a lot about your children", said Dan, who was the boys main teacher at first. Willie now has most of the respon- sibility for guiding her sons through their daily lessons. "The parents have to be discipli.led, too". she noted, ad- mitting "there are days when it doesn't work." Despite the difficulties,. Willie can • •�, r , • .:•.i • KITCHEN CLASSROOM - Willie Graham supervises the school work of twin sons Ben and Jon. say. "It is not an easy task. but very rewarding. Our children have never been happier". The home classroom concept is spreading. Three weeks ago the Grahams and Brands were among 80 families attending a seminar on hone education held at the Baptist Bible College in London. Old Order Men- nonites, Closed and Open Brethren, United Church members, Pente- costals and Baptists all participated. More recently. families represen- ting 54 children and addresses from Iluron Park to Clinton met at a home prayer meeting. Those who are already teaching their children at home shared their experiences with others who are contemplating similar action. "We talked to people who are get- ting along fabulously", Theresa Brand reported. No money for Vanastra PS The Huron County board of educa- tion has received some capital.money from the ministry ot-education, but nothing for Vanastra public school. The director of education, Bob Allan. told the May 1 meeting of trustees they had received approval to purchase four school buses and one van for handicapped students. Also in the capital money is a com- mitment for $326,000 to replace rooft at four elementary schools and $70,000 for renovations to the heating system al F.E. Madill secondary school in Wingham. Allan said this money will come next year, but the work may be done towards the end of this year. "Of course this means he doesn't know what Vanastra's future will be. The board approved putting $105,000 in its 1985 budget for Vanastra, but Allan said that now the ministry has denied funding for this year, he will he bringing the matter hack to the board. The school board originally had just over $600,000 -in its 1985 budget ear- marked for capital renovations. Finest quality, always fresh TastyNu White Sliced, 794 Bread 24 or. doz. 1.29 ft? 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