I got an email yesterday from Jenny Baker in Southern Utah where she has organized a parent rights committee. She agreed to let me publish her email to me to help inspire other groups to form in various school districts around the state. If you want to form a group, you can also advertise for support in our Facebook group to find people in your area. Organizing by school district is a great idea, or even your county. Jenny’s group is off to a great start and we wish them much success in accomplishing their goals.

********************

These are the notes of the May 13th Washington County for Parental Rights committee meeting

12 members attended the school board meeting today:

Amy Drawe did a great job in her 3 minute talking time.  She asked 1-how many times they will do the sage tests next year, 2- if teachers have been asked to not talk about CommonCore.  3- where we can find out where the school board candidates stand on CC. 4- she asked for a raise of hands who does/ does not support it.

The school board claimed to have no control over CC.  Superintendent Burgeson recited the talking points that we have heard before.  They basically ignores all of her questions.  BUT….we did meet a few new members that we are now working with!

The 7:00 meeting went as follows:

These goals were accepted by the body

1- 25% opt out rate in all schools by the first day of the 2014-2015 school year.

2-work with school boards throughout summer to get opt out policies in place before the school year begins.

3- only anti-CC candidates winning in this upcoming election.

4- Have all elected officials (from Washington County) against CC before legislative sessions start next January.

5- create a teachers advocacy group.

6- Teach parents that they are great parents with great kids no matter what the testing says. (Especially for younger moms and Hispanic communities)

7- Get homeschool groups to help other moms know how to homeschool and organize homeschool groups.
(It was decided that our talking points need to be about strengthening parents, asking questions to get them to ask questions (eg. How did your child feel about the sage tests?  Did you know that teachers and parents will not see the tests?  How are students and teachers supposed to improve if they can’t see the tests? Why do we need the tests then?).  OUR JOB IS TO EMPOWER PARENTS AND LET THEM KNOW THAT THEIR CHILD’S EDUCATION IS THEIR RESPONSIBILITY!

The following committees were discussed and chairmen were appointed.

(Minutes in parentheses)

Proposed committees:

1-Publicity Committee- (Kristine Wagner will talk with Kate and Bryan to fill this opening)

a-social media updates

b- write op ed pieces for news media

c- make media connections

d- organize a committee

2- School boards and administrators Committee-(will Amy Drawe, Tanya Sutterfield and or Amy Chase chair this,  any other volunteers?)

a- representing group at school board meetings.

(Currently, Durfey Supports CC, Seegmiller has concerns, Hesson supports, Christiansen opposes, Holloway supports—we need to educate them!)

b- instructing others on how to talk with administrators & school board

c- fact check and rebuttal of material sent from the school

d- organize a committee. (Get a question and answer meeting arranged for new candidates)
3- Constitutional Committee-(Kristine Wagner-chairman,  can Brent Hall help?)

a- contact delegates and candidates and report on how they stand (Kristine will make a plan for us to help  anti-CC delegates win the primaries  on June 24)

b- instruct others on contacting public representatives

c- educate politicians

d- organize a political committee
4- Home school/private schools Committee-(Ann & Eric Grob, Karen Stead and Marta Harr to chair.   They will get home school info on our blog.)

a- educate those outside of system to see the problems and work with us.

b- help board see their needs.

c- organize a home school committee
5- Teachers Committee- (Michelle Boulter, Teresa Lindquist, Kristine Wagner will ask Nancy ? To chair)

a- find out how we can help teachers. Be their advocate. (Work w/lawyer?)*

b- develop ways to keep them from being fired for speaking out.

c- educate teachers on Common Core

d- organize a teachers committee
6- Education Committee- (Michelle Boulter and Teresa Lindquist to chair).

a- arrange classes and guest speakers (once a month- in different areas of the community). (They will start a blog)

b- gather talking points and other educational material and distribute.

c- keep board up to date on all new information (laws, bills, etc.)

d- organize an education committee
7- Community Committee-(Jenny Baker, Donna Williams to chair)

a- work with civic groups(eg. Wash Co republican women lunch this week) to raise awareness

b- seek out other groups to combine efforts

c- work with other groups in Utah.

d- organize a committee
Proposed area representatives.  (Let me know if changes need to be made)

Santa Clara/Ivins- Tanya Sutterfield

Hurricane/LaVerkin-  Amy Drawe

Washington Fields- Kristine Wagner

Washington- Jared and Teresa Lindquist

Bloomington- Marta Harr

St. George proper/Green Valley- Jenny Baker

Hispanic Community- (Holly Wilkinson will ask her friend)

Little Valley- Michelle Boulter

Next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, May 29 at 7:00 PM at Jenny Baker’s home 1039 S. 1080 W. St. George (on Indian Hills Drive). All who wish to help this cause are invited.

*for those who could not attend:  feel free to sign up for a committee.  And come to the next meeting!!  Bring a friend!

Here are a few resources the board asked for:

Utahnsagainstcommoncore.com

Books:  “The story killers” by Terrance O. Moore. “Conform” by Glenn Beck

Thank you for all of your hard work!  I am so excited about the plans that have been made and for the overwhelming support for our cause!

Call if you have questions!

Jenny Baker

435-229-9720

Sevenvoices@live.com