- Take time to honor and thank God on the Fourth — make it a day celebrated “with solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty.”
- Read the Declaration of Independence. Shortly after the Founders originally approved the Declaration, they took it outside and read it aloud to the assembled crowd; and George Washington also had it read aloud in each regiment of the Continental Army. Even then it was important to know the reasons for our founding, and it remains no less important today.
- Read John Quincy Adams’ fabulous 1837 Fourth of July oration.
- Honor the memory of those (past and present) who sacrificed so much for our country. In fact, take one name that you do not know from among the 56 signers of the Declaration (you can find the list of signers here) and look online for a brief biography of that one signer and thus familiarize yourself with yet another early patriot.
A Few More Vaccination Opportunities
The files below contain information on a few more upcoming vaccination opportunities.
Central Region Vaccination Plans as of 11-12-2009
11-12-09 Pediatric Vaccination Clinics
Important Note: HEAV does not recommend or endorse any vaccine. Because homeschoolers fall within the target at-risk group for H1N1 influenza, HEAV is publishing information regarding the availability of the H1N1 vaccine. Vaccination decisions are the responsibility of the parent.
Blog @ November 13, 2009 | General | Comments (0)
H1N1 Scheduled Pediatric Clinics
The files below contain information from the Virginia Department of Health regarding upcoming pediatric clinics.
11-10-09 Pediatric Vaccination Clinic Info – Primary List (2)
New River Health District Clinic Schedule
Rappahannock-Rapidan Press Release
Blog @ November 11, 2009 | General | Comments (0)
Washington Times Op-ed—Lawyer Inspired Peers to Fight On
[Editor's Note: We came across this op-ed in an HSLDA e-newsletter, and felt you would appreciate reading it.]
by J. Michael Smith
HSLDA President
Christopher J. Klicka, senior counsel and director of state and international relations for the Home School Legal Defense Association, died Oct. 12 in Colorado Springs. His death is a tremendous loss.
Chris started full time with HSLDA in 1985 after graduating from law school. During an internship, he researched the laws of all 50 states as they related to the right to homeschool. His treatise, Home Schooling in the United States: A Legal Analysis, which is updated regularly, is the leading authority summarizing the 50 states’ laws.
Chris is survived by his wife, Tracy, and their seven children. Although he died at the very young age of 48 after a 15-year battle with multiple sclerosis, Chris achieved more than most people ever will. For 24 years, he fought valiantly on behalf of homeschool freedom and intervened on behalf of thousands of families to establish their right to teach their children at home. Not only did he fight for homeschool freedom in the courtroom, he helped draft legislation that recognized the right of parents to teach their children at home in dozens of states and testified before numerous legislatures.
He lobbied Congress on behalf of homeschoolers to level the playing field in the military, colleges and universities; as well as issues regarding educational grants and benefits, Social Security and veterans benefits. Through his advocacy, homeschoolers were exempted from requirements of the No Child Left Behind Act, a law that could have allowed the federal government to regulate homeschooling.
Because of his interactions with departments of social services as a result of child abuse and neglect investigations, he became an advocate to protect families from abuses by these agencies. He helped write legislation that amended the Child Abuse and Protection and Treatment Act (CAPTA) to establish the right of parents and guardians.
He also persuaded Congress to require that all social workers and police officers be trained on the Fourth Amendment, which protects against unreasonable search and seizure.
Not only was Chris an outstanding advocate for parental rights and homeschool freedom, but he was an even better person. As the MS took an ever-increasing toll, he continued to travel to homeschool conferences around the country, bringing a message of hope and encouragement. He informed the homeschool community that through faith in God, one can do all things.
Many times he could barely stand, gripping the podium to deliver a message that lifted the spirits of thousands of homeschool moms and dads. After all, if Chris could do the things he was doing every day, certainly they could overcome their petty problems and fulfill the calling in their life to teach their children at home.
The homeschooling movement has lost a giant in our struggle for freedom and acceptance. No one individual has done more to bring about the freedom to homeschool in the United States and around the world. Chris also had a heart for international homeschooling and was responsible for starting organizations similar to HSLDA in other countries. His enthusiasm and advocacy for homeschooling is expressed through his books and other writings, and thousands of families homeschool as a result of reading one of his books, hearing him speak at a conference, or getting personal encouragement from him to get started and keep going.
Despite his death, Chris’ legacy will live on. Those of us who worked with him daily, and the thousands of families that have interacted with him through his writing, speaking and counseling, will continue his legacy as we’re challenged by his determination to never give up no matter how difficult the circumstances appear.
Chris had many great character traits, but perhaps the greatest was his love for God, which was reflected in his love for his wife and children. The example he gave through his life and through his death is indelibly placed in the hearts of all of us who knew and loved him. His vision of freedom for families to homeschool will never die in our hearts as we vow to carry that same determination forward to protect and advance the precious right of families to teach their children at home.
Michael Smith is the president of the Home School Legal Defense Association. He may be contacted at (540)338-5600; or send email to media@hslda.org.
annemiller @ November 11, 2009 | General | Comments (0)
H1N1 Swine Flu Vaccine Clinic for Richmond City Homeschoolers
Important Note: HEAV does not recommend or endorse any vaccine. Because homeschoolers fall within the target at-risk group for H1N1 influenza, HEAV is publishing information regarding the availability of the H1N1 vaccine. Vaccination decisions are the responsibility of the parent.
From the Richmond City Health Department:
Beginning, Thursday, October 29, The Richmond City Health Department will be offering an H1N1 Swine Flu Vaccine Clinic to children who are being home schooled in Richmond City. Children will be given the LAIV (live attenuated) FluMist which does not require an injection. Children who are immune compromised, have asthma, diabetes, or otherwise and cannot take the nasal FluMist vaccine for medical reasons, will be given the injectable vaccine. Visits are by appointment only. For an appointment please call Tashana Stith at 482-5506. Due to limited quantities of vaccine, this clinic is for Richmond City residents only. The clinic is being held at the Richmond City Health Department office located at 400 East Cary Street, Richmond, Virginia. There is no charge for the vaccine or its administration.
Parents are asked to review the attached information regarding the FluMist vaccine, and complete the Screening Questionnaire and Consent Form prior to their appointment in order to expedite the vaccination process.
Thank You!
Richmond City Health Department
To view a daily updated list of clinics in other areas of the state see http://www.vdh.state.va.us/index.htm.
Attachments:
H1N1-LAIV-final-2.pdf
screeningquestionnaire_flumist.pdf
consent-form.doc
Yvonne Bunn @ November 11, 2009 | General | Comments (0)
H1N1 Influenza Vaccine for Homeschoolers
As the H1N1 vaccine* is arriving at pubic schools for distribution to students, some homeschool parents are asking if their children can also receive the free vaccine from a public school. Many private and homeschooled students have reported being unable to receive the vaccine, while a limited number of other parents have had no problem.
HEAV contacted the Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources and the Virginia Department of Education to quickly resolve this matter. Michelle Vucci, director of policy for the Virginia Department of Education, was sympathetic to homeschool parents, and suggested they contact their local health department to determine distribution policies at the local level. She also recommended parents contact their local school. HEAV has had no official response from the state health department, but some local health officials urged parents to check with their primary-care physicians.
Parents who choose to have their children vaccinated* will be required to supply personal information that will be compiled in a statewide database that may be linked to a national database.
Virginia has received only about five percent of the state’s requested order for H1N1 vaccine, and at the present time, availability is sporadic in schools and health departments.
For information about the H1N1 shot or inactivated vaccine, visit www.cdc.gov/vaccines/Pubs/vis/downloads/vis-inact-h1n1.pdf.
For state and national information, visit www.vdh.state.va.us/index.htm or www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu.
*Important Note: Vaccinations are a controversial issue. Because homeschoolers fall within the target at-risk group for H1N1 influenza, HEAV is requesting information regarding equal access to the vaccine for homeschoolers. HEAV does not recommend or endorse any vaccine. Vaccination decisions are the responsibility of the parent.
Yvonne Bunn @ October 27, 2009 | General | Comments (0)
Chris Klicka’s Memorial Service, Radio Tribute, Interviews and Video
Memorial Service
Here is the information for Chris’s memorial service.
All are invited to attend.
Memorial Service for Christopher J. Klicka, 1961-2009
Senior Counsel, HSLDA
Christian Fellowship Church
21673 Beaumeade Circle
Ashburn, VA 20147
Saturday, October 31, 2009
10 a.m.
For directions, visit: www.cfellowshipc.org
For more information, contact Judy Taylor (540-303-2102)
Radio Tribute and Interviews
(Thanks to Bernie Beall.)
Here’s a moving radio tribute put out by Moody Bible Institute.
http://moodyradiopaulbutler.wordpress.com/2009/10/13/chris-klicka-tribute/
And here are two less-than-eight-minute interviews Moody did with Chris last year.
http://moodyradiopaulbutler.wordpress.com/2008/08/11/home-school-history/
http://moodyradiopaulbutler.wordpress.com/2008/08/20/home-school-history-legal-battles/
Congressman Comments on Klicka’s Life
WASHINGTON—U.S. Congressman Todd Tiahrt (pronounced TEE-hart), R-Kan., issued the following statement following the announcement that Home School Legal Defense Association Senior Counsel and Director of State and International Relations Christopher Klicka passed away following his 15-year battle with multiple sclerosis.
“Chris Klicka was a passionate man of faith and trailblazing advocate for homeschoolers and homeschooling issues,” said Tiahrt. “Through his dedication and great work at the Home School Legal Defense Association, Chris helped protect families and their freedom to choose homeschooling as an education method. Generations for years to come will benefit from the many doors opened by Chris.
“Vicki and I send our heartfelt thoughts and prayers to the Klicka family during this time.”
YouTube Video
If you haven’t seen it yet, take a look at this powerful video of Chris as he shares portions of his story. We hope you’ll be as blessed as we were!
annemiller @ October 20, 2009 | General | Comments (0)
Encouraging the Klickas
Thank you to all who have written sweet notes expressing your gratitude for Chris’ life and your sympathy and prayers for his family! Below is information taken from their blog on how to send these notes directly to the Klicka family.
E-MAIL
The e-mail the Klickas have listed on their blog is klickaclan@erols.com.
DONATIONS
The Klickas have been overwhelmed by the many expressions of love and care they have received. Thank you again for your prayers and support. Some of you have asked how to help the Klickas, financially and otherwise: There are two direct ways to give to the Klicka family, as well as a third, tax-deductible way to give to the Klickas’ church and its benevolence program:
1. As usual, direct gifts and donations for the family may be sent to their home address:
6779 Riley Road
Warrenton, VA 20187
2. Corey Cheney generously established an account for the Klicka family through which you may electronically donate funds:
Please read the instructions below before donating.
Click here to send a donation to the Klickas.
1. After clicking the above link a new page will open that has a “To” & “From” e-mail field & a box for you to enter in the amount you would like to donate. (In the “To” field put this e-mail address: tracy.klicka@gmail.com.)
2. Click the “Personal” button right under the “Amount” box, then select the “Gift” option, then click “Continue.”
3. On the next page you will be asked if you already have a PayPal account. If you do, sign in. If you do not have an account, click “Sign-up.”
4. After you sign-in to your PayPal account, you will see the checkout page. Just make sure everything is correct and add your personal note to the Klicka family!
5. Click “Send Money” and the donation will be sent!
3. Finally, tax deductible gifts to their church’s benevolence fund may be sent to:
Grace Community Church
Benevolence Fund
19420 Golf Vista Plaza, Suite 220
Lansdowne, VA 20176
Katherine Loop @ October 14, 2009 | General | Comments (0)
NH court orders home-schooled child into government-run school ADF-allied attorney files motion to reconsider and hold off decision in case involving 10-year-old girl
http://www.alliancedefensefund.org/news/story.aspx?cid=5050
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
LACONIA, N.H. An Alliance Defense Fund allied attorney filed motions with a New Hampshire court Monday asking it to reconsider and stay its decision to order a 10-year-old home-schooled girl into a government-run school in Meredith.
Although the marital master making recommendations to the court agreed the child is “well liked, social and interactive with her peers, academically promising, and intellectually at or superior to grade level” and that “it is clear that the home schooling…has more than kept up with the academic requirements of the…public school system,” he nonetheless proposed that the Christian girl be ordered into a government-run school after considering “the impact of [her religious] beliefs on her interaction with others.” The court approved the order.
“Parents have a fundamental right to make educational choices for their children. In this case specifically, the court is illegitimately altering a method of education that the court itself admits is working,” said ADF-allied attorney John Anthony Simmons of Hampton. “The court is essentially saying that the evidence shows that, socially and academically, this girl is doing great, but her religious beliefs are a bit too sincerely held and must be sifted, tested by, and mixed among other worldviews. This is a step too far for any court to take.”
The parents of the child divorced in 1999. The mother has home-schooled their daughter since first grade with curriculum that meets all state review standards. In addition to home schooling, the girl attends supplemental public school classes and has also been involved in a variety of extra-curricular sports activities.
In the process of renegotiating the terms of a parenting plan for the girl, the guardian ad litem involved in the case concluded, according to the court order, that the girl “appeared to reflect her mother’s rigidity on questions of faith” and that the girl’s interests “would be best served by exposure to a public school setting” and “different points of view at a time when she must begin to critically evaluate multiple systems of belief…in order to select, as a young adult, which of those systems will best suit her own needs.”
Marital Master Michael Garner reasoned that the girl’s “vigorous defense of her religious beliefs to [her] counselor suggests strongly that she has not had the opportunity to seriously consider any other point of view” and then recommended that the girl be ordered to enroll in a government school instead of being home-schooled. Judge Lucinda V. Sadler approved the recommendation and issued the order on July 14.
“The New Hampshire Supreme Court itself has specifically declared, ‘Home education is an enduring American tradition and right…,’” said ADF Senior Legal Counsel Mike Johnson. ”There is clearly and without question no legitimate legal basis for the court’s decision, and we trust it will reconsider its conclusions.”
Simmons filed his motions and supporting brief in the case In the Matter of Kurowski and Kurowski (Voydatch) with the Family Division of the Judicial Court for Belknap County in Laconia.
annemiller @ October 5, 2009 | General | Comments (0)
Court orders Christian child into government education 10-year-old’s ‘vigorous’ defense of her faith condemned by judge
http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=108084
By Bob Unruh
(c) 2009 WorldNetDaily
A 10-year-old homeschool girl described as “well liked, social and interactive with her peers, academically promising and intellectually at or superior to grade level” has been told by a New Hampshire court official to attend a government school because she was too “vigorous” in defense of her Christian faith.
The decision from Marital Master Michael Garner reasoned that the girl’s “vigorous defense of her religious beliefs to [her] counselor suggests strongly that she has not had the opportunity to seriously consider any other point of view.”
The recommendation was approved by Judge Lucinda V. Sadler, but it is being challenged by attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund, who said it was “a step too far” for any court.
The ADF confirmed today it has filed motions with the court seeking reconsideration of the order and a stay of the decision sending the 10-year-old student in government-run schools in Meredith, N.H.
The dispute arose as part of a modification of a parenting plan for the girl. The parents divorced in 1999 when she was a newborn, and the mother has homeschooled her daughter since first grade with texts that meet all state standards.
In addition to homeschooling, the girl attends supplemental public school classes and has also been involved in a variety of extra-curricular sports activities, the ADF reported.
But during the process of negotiating the terms of the plan, a guardian ad litem appointed to participate concluded the girl “appeared to reflect her mother’s rigidity on questions of faith” and that the girl’s interests “would be best served by exposure to a public school setting” and “different points of view at a time when she must begin to critically evaluate multiple systems of belief … in order to select, as a young adult, which of those systems will best suit her own needs.”
According to court documents, the guardian ad litem earlier had told the mother, “If I want her in public school, she’ll be in public school.”
The marital master hearing the case proposed the Christian girl be ordered into public school after considering “the impact of [her religious] beliefs on her interaction with others.”
“Parents have a fundamental right to make educational choices for their children. In this case specifically, the court is illegitimately altering a method of education that the court itself admits is working,” said ADF-allied attorney John Anthony Simmons of Hampton.
“The court is essentially saying that the evidence shows that, socially and academically, this girl is doing great, but her religious beliefs are a bit too sincerely held and must be sifted, tested by, and mixed among other worldviews. This is a step too far for any court to take.”
“The New Hampshire Supreme Court itself has specifically declared, ‘Home education is an enduring American tradition and right,’” said ADF Senior Legal Counsel Mike Johnson. “There is clearly and without question no legitimate legal basis for the court’s decision, and we trust it will reconsider its conclusions.”
The case, handled in the Family Division of the Judicial Court for Belknap County in Laconia, involves Martin Kurowski and Brenda Kurowski (Voydatch), and their daughter.
The ADF also argued that the issue already was raised in 2006 and rejected by the court.
“Most urgent … is the issue of Amanda’s schooling as the school year has begun and Amanda is being impacted by the court’s decision daily,” the court filing requesting a stay said. “Serious state statutory and federal constitutional concerns are implicated by the court’s ruling and which need to be remedied without delay.
“It is not the proper role of the court to insist that Amanda be ‘exposed to different points of view’ if the primary residential parent has determined that it is in Amanda’s best interest not to be exposed to secular influences that would undermine Amanda’s faith, schooling, social development, etc. The court is not permitted to demonstrate hostility toward religion, and particularly the faith of Amanda and Mother, by removing Amanda from the home and thrusting her into an environment that the custodial parent deems detrimental to Amanda.”
“The order assumes that because Amanda has sincerely held Christian beliefs, there must be a problem that needs solving. It is a parent’s constitutionally protected right to train up their children in the religious beliefs that they hold. It is not up to the court to suggest that a 10-year-old should be ‘exposed’ to other religious views contrary to the faith traditions of her parents. Could it not be that this sharp 10-year-old ‘vigorously’ believes what she does because she knows it to be true? The court’s narrative suggests that 10-year-olds are too young to form opinions and that they are not yet allowed to have sincerely held Christian beliefs,” the ADF said.
“Absent any other clear and convincing evidence justifying the court’s decision, it would appear that the court has indeed taken sides with regard to the issue of religion and has preferred one religious view over another (or the absence of religion). This is impermissible,” the documents said.
The guardian ad litem had an anti-Christian bias, the documents said, telling the mother at one point she wouldn’t even look at homeschool curriculum.
“I don’t want to hear it. It’s all Christian based,” she said.
annemiller @ October 5, 2009 | General | Comments (0)
How to Celebrate the Fourth of July
The following is reprinted from a June 27, 2008, WallBuilders’ e-mail newsletter. To receive future information about historical issues and biblical values in the culture, to contribute to their ministry, or to view their other resources, visit www.wallbuilders.com.
Born in 1776 with the Declaration of Independence, America has had only one form of government. Neither our closest allies nor our fiercest enemies have experienced the stability with which God has blessed America.
When the Founders approved the Declaration of Independence in 1776, John Adams suggested the way in which the day should be celebrated. We still follow his suggestion that the Fourth “be solemnized with pomp and parade — with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations from one end of this continent to the other,” but we seem to have forgotten his recommendation that the day “be commemorated as a day of solemn deliverance by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty.”
The spiritual element in celebrating the Fourth was important to the Founding Fathers and was practiced by Americans for generations afterwards. In fact, in his 1837 Fourth of July speech, John Quincy Adams observed:
In the chain of human events, the birthday of the nation is indissolubly linked with the birthday of the Savior. It forms a leading event in the progress of the Gospel dispensation. The Declaration of Independence first organized the social compact on the foundation of the Redeemer’s mission upon earth — it laid the cornerstone of human government upon the first precepts of Christianity.
According to John Quincy Adams, on the Fourth of July the Founders took the precepts of Christ that came into the world through His birth and incorporated those principles into civil government.
This is an excellent year to recover the original spirit of the celebration of the Fourth of July. We therefore recommend that in this year’s celebration:
If you are interested in reading other famous patriotic orations about the Fourth of July, or if you want to know more about each of the 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence, you can order our two books on these subjects (Celebrate Liberty! Famous Patriotic Speeches and Sermons and Lives of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence) at a special 25% discount. This discount [is] available through the end of July! [Note: This e-mail was originally written in 2008; however, it appears the items are on sale again this July. See the website for the details of this year's sale.]
Enjoy your Fourth of July!
(By the way, if you know of others who might enjoy learning of God’s hand in America’s history, have them sign up on the WallBuilders’ website for these periodic email pieces.)
God bless!
David Barton
Blog @ June 29, 2009 | General | Comments (0)