Posted by
Jan@Oasis on Wednesday, March 12, 2008 3:06:58 PM
Taking a break from the increasingly boring, yet strangely still circus-like, political scene to praise the Christian school my grandchildren attend.
In 1988, the public schools were already steeped in political correctness, revisionist history and false "self-esteem" hysteria. We sent our youngest daughter to Catholic school to avoid all that, and it was the best thing we could have done for her. She went there from third grade through high school, and I loved that she was taught morals and Judeo-Christian values as well as the true history of our country. Her self-esteem was based strictly on her accomplishments and hard work, and she did very well. We aren't Catholic, but I enjoyed going to Masses and being involved in school events. I worked in the nurse's office at her elementary school for years, even after she went on to high school and college.
However, if I had known then what I know now, I would have sent my daughter to the Christian school my grandchildren go to now. A small K-6 school located in a church, I didn't know it existed back then.
A few weeks ago, I went to the 4th grade Chapel, entirely written, produced and directed by my granddaughter's class, with the enthusiastic help of their wonderful teacher. I had been to many Chapels over the years since my granddaughter started there in 1st grade. The Chapels were always wonderful celebrations of Christmas, Easter, Veterans' Day, Grandparents' Day, etc. But this time it hit me--something that I hadn't been consciously aware of before, and it is this: Joy.
Joy permeates this school; the students feel the Joy of Jesus' love for them and the Joy of being free to love God and Jesus openly without the ACLU breathing down their necks. They can learn the Joy of living a Christian, value-based, meaningful life. The can sing sweet songs, happy songs, poignant songs about their faith. And though Catholic school was a wonderful experience for my daughter, I don't recall that sense of Joy that infuses every moment at this school. The teachers, the principal and the parents who volunteer their time all live and express their own Joy in their school and its mission to provide academic and moral excellence.
I don't think there is much joy in public schools these days. Melancholy, pessimistic, self(America)-loathing, while trying to foster self-esteem based on a political correctness model and academic sameness--nobody is any better or worse than anyone else. Yes, that about sums it up. No wonder we have record numbers of children with emotional problems, suffering from anxiety and depression. No wonder cheating is rampant and respect for teachers and parents is non-existent. Since the lefties took over the public schools, they have declined markedly in every way except one: the amount of money spent on them.
And now I am listening to Laura Ingraham, where her guest is discussing the forced reading of porn for students in Deerfield, Ma. How uplifting.
I remember a time long ago when even public school students--I WAS one--learned morals and values based on our Judeo-Christian heritage and foundation. Though we weren't taught religion per se, we were certainly taught its values. We were also taught the real history of the United States, both positive and negative, and knew that the good absolutely outweighed the bad, and that we have done more than any other country to correct any wrongs--including our own--and to help the world when we could. Lo and behold, Christian schools are still doing these things today, and beautifully. The Joy is what makes my granddaughter anxious for spring break to end so she can go back to school.
I feel so sorry for the vast numbers of children stuck in the public schools with their depressing, overly sexualized, hysteria-based agenda. The left continues on its path toward destruction of our country. Any of you parents who can do so, take your children and RUN to the nearest Christian or other religious school. Your kids might actually learn about real science (not the global warming hoax), real history (all countries are NOT created equal), how to write (and read), real math--and not how to put a condom on a banana and that two mommies are just as good as a mommy and a daddy. Make sure it isn't one of those that have also been taken over by the left, for they're after the churches as well. Rule of thumb: if it is sympathetic to the Palestinians but not to Israel, keep looking. If sex education is in the curriculum but no one can spell, keep looking. You'll know it when you find it.
And three cheers for Joy! --------------------------------------------------------Jan