School Related - Would You Do Anything?

[Christine]

What lies did the principal tell? Obama approves Roe v Wade. He approves letting babies who survive abortions die and be refused medical attention. How much worse could the principal have made it sound?

Yesterday, there was a huge article in the Washington Post about each candidates views on all the different topics. On the abortion topic, there was a statement that said "...opposes late term abortions except in cases where the mother's life is at stake..." or something to that affect (my husband took that article to work so I cannot quote it exactly and I may have the statement incorrect. Anyway, my son went through the whole thing with the principal including opposing Roe V. Wade. The asst. principal said that parts of the article were lies.

 

[gina2000]

Absolutely inappropriate. This was a political discussion, not a moral/ethical one.

Why is it appropriate for a principal to tell a child how to vote when we're all up in arms about priests/pastors preaching politics from the pulpit?

I'm Roman Catholic and I'd be livid at the principal's behavior and the so-called Christian behavior exhibited by the students at school.

 

[SereneOne]

Then as a religious school I would think they would be legalistic regarding to their teachings. Thou shalt not kill also covers embarrassing and shaming someone one, something about bringing blood to the face, etc. Again, a legalistic interpretation, however, they should practice what they preach.

 

[daisax]

Just be thankful the schools aren't still run by nuns

The nuns I know would have gone up to the bullies and instilled a little lesson in treating people with respect, even when you passionately disagree with them.

While I agree that there is a mission inherent in running a Catholic school, it's also an educational enterprise, and one that pretends to be guiding young hearts and minds towards responsible adulthood.

They should leave the schools to the Jesuits, who could have turned the whole thing into a lesson for everybody, including faculty and staff.

 

[Christine]

To the OP, you have to understand that in Catholicism our schools reflect our church and vice versa. There is no line or separation between what is taught in the classroom and at Mass. I know you are not Catholic, but you send your son to a Catholic private school. And it can be shocking sometimes to be confronted with religion in school in the modern era.

Even though the Catholic church (for obvious reasons) has not endorsed any one specific candidate this issue, the sanctity of the unborn, is one that in our faith there is no margin of error or wiggle room. If the conversation came around to that, the Asst. Principal could have handled it differently knowing that your son is non-Catholic. But he has to represent the church in the school as I said above.

I can see your frustrations. I really can. Just be thankful the schools aren't still run by nuns.

Well, I hate to tell you this but our school is run by nuns. Some order of Dominican Sisters.

I want to say that I am not bashing Catholic schools and I don't want this thread to be about that. Both of my children have been in this school for many years, my daughter before my son. Over the years, the school as become progressively more "conservative" or "evangelical" if I can even use that word here? When I talk to other people whose kids are in K-8 Catholic schools, I'm not hearing this at all. My DD currently attends a private Catholic High school and she gets NONE of this. They are quite respectful in their discussions and never give her a problem.

The tone of this school has changed over the last 3 years and has become very intolerant--something I never noticed many years ago. I'm not getting out at this point, I know I can't change them, but I do feel like they stepped over the line a bit today and I don't like it. I wrestle with voicing my opinion and making my son stand out more (because I'm sure he feels he was "right") or just swallowing hard and counting the days.

If Obama wins tomorrow, I'm actually a little worried for my son.

 

[KyraS]

Do I think it was right? Absolutely NOT!

That being said though, my son also goes to a Private Christian School and honestly I would not be surprised if the same thing happened to him. In our school when you sign up for school it is very very clear that the beliefs of the church WILL be taught to your child both in religion class and outside of it. I still don't think it's right but it's the price we pay to know our child is getting a top notch education and we also do believe in some of the view points just not to the extreme that the school can take them.

I think I would let it go, I really do, he has to continue to go to school there for the remainder of the year. I wish we were lucky enough to have the option of a nice public school, unfortunatly we don't.

 

[C.Ann]

I'm Catholic and that sounds way out of line to me (at least it would be in our parish/area).

Yes, the official church teaching is that abortion is a sin. However, setting up an election segment in class then zeroing in on children for expressing their political viewpoints is petty passive aggressiveness.

Sounds like a petty little man using what little power he has to intimidate children. Yes, it's a Catholic school -- they can hold dailyspecial lectures on the evils of abortion. You don't blindside a kid like that.

--------------------------

My thoughts exactly.. I don't approve of anyone "abusing" their power - no matter what type of school it might be..

 

[troobabiee7]

Is this an actual school? Yes it's a Catholic school, but it's still supposed to be a SCHOOL. If these are the people responsible for shaping young minds, I'm honestly afraid of what the future holds. Catholic, Jewish, Musim, Hindu, white, black, orange, purple... regardless of what or who you are, you're entitled to our own beliefs, and for a grown man to put down a child like that is truly disgusting. I also find it very ironic that an institution such as this would make a child feel bad in school simply for their political beliefs, considering the endless allegations that have been coming out of the Catholic churches lately.

 

[Hedy]

CHristine-I don't mean to be rude, but you've had other issues with this school before, correct (with evolution and The Golden Compass)?
I'm outraged for your son, but could causing a stir at school prevent DS getting into the high school of his choice?

 

[LisaB]

I am sorry that this happened to your son but not all Catholic schools are like this. My daughter goes to the same school I did for 7-12 an all girls catholic school. I graduated in 1986 and not once did the topic of abortion come up. Of course your son could have told the principal about McCain's family values how he cheated on his wife etc. I thought that adultery was also against church teachings

 

[amyhughes]

And the school population could be influenced by Priest appointment, new parishioners who attract other like them, a new Deacon, etc. I just know ours won't even broach the subject (of abortion) until the kids get into upper grades, like high school.

It does alarm me that the asst. principal felt it perfectly within their right to discuss politics not the issue at hand.

Our school has nary a nun in sight and is run by Catholic teachers, so sorry about the assumption.

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

Let me preface this by saying that I converted to Catholicism four years ago and love my church.

That being said, they are breaking the law. As a religious institution they are tax-exempt. Part of tax-exempt means that you cannot state a position for or against any candidate or tell people how to vote. You can lose your tax exempt status by doing so.

I would bring this little fact up real quick with the principal and tell him that you are seriously considering filing a grievance over their behavior. Believe me, that will wake them up real quick!

Yes, it is a parochial school and they have every right to teach the child about the church's beliefs, but they do not have the right to ridicule or single out a child, or tell them (or their parents) who to vote for. Especially if they wish to remain tax exempt.

I know lots of Catholics who are voting for Obama. It is people like the principal who give us all a bad name.

 

[daisax]

I'd wait until your son is out of the school, then write a heart felt letter explaining why you thought the school was initially a good choice for your children, but how THEIR change gradually soured you on it (and by extension the Catholic Church) I'd remind them that part of their spiritual mission shouldn't include setting children up for humiliation and endorsing bullying under the guise of religious fervor.

And I'd be sure to send copies of it right on up the chain of command to the local Archbishop.

A very beloved priest was transferred out of our parish and they brought in a real fire and brimstone guy. Half the congregation has left in the 2 years since he came aboard... but he brought a whole slew of people from his old parish who were sorry to see him go! However... as much as he fills the pews for mass (with his old parishoners), first communions and confirmations need to be done in your home parish, and they have dropped to almost NOTHING because he's completely obnoxious to parents and kids and CCD teachers. It will be interesting to see how long the hierarchy tolerates that.

I hope this doesn't sour you on the Catholic Church -- as you have said, friends with children in other parish schools have very different experiences. I'm sorry yours was negative.

 

[daisax]

CHristine-I don't mean to be rude, but you've had other issues with this school before, correct (with evolution and The Golden Compass)?

I don't know about the Golden Compass, but what wackadoo Catholic school has a problem with evolution, which has been completely supported by the Catholic Church?

 

[Mickeyistheman]

OP,

I would call every single News Station out there, you should be outraged.

NO SCHOOL has the right to speak to your son in that way, especially one that you are paying for!!!!!!!!!!!!! Catholic or not, this is completely outrageous and I feel so very bad for your son. For adults to be acting in such a way is what scares me about the election tonight.

I know they are to teach you the morals of the Church but everyone has a right to their own opinion.

Tell your son that I am proud of him to sticking to his guns and being polite even though GROWN ADULTS were not. I would him out of that school so fast, that principles head would spin!

 

[*pixie*dust*]

I would suggest finding your son a new school. It is not worth the aggrevation to you or him.

 

[DawnCt1]

Just because they do not believe in abortion, does not give ANY teacher the right to single my son out and have a private lecture with him and criticize his position AND to tell lies (which this asst. principal did). I have absolutely NO problem with them using their Mass to preach what they believe in and to even say why they would like their parishoners to vote a certain way. I don't have a problem if they do it during school Mass. I don't have a problem if they disagree with abortion in math class. However, I do have a problem with my son being pulled aside and "talked" to and being fed propaganda from the other side. Obama's stance on abortion was provided in detailed in the newspaper. It is accurate. It is not a lie. Why would you tell a child that it is a lie. My son, no matter where he goes, has a right to his own candidate. I expected his view to be respected, if not approved.

In a Catholic school, a teacher has the "right" and the school would call it a responsibility to teach your son what the Catholic Church believes. If you don't like it, you can take him out and send him to a public school.

 

[daisax]

Dawn, do you not see the difference between teaching the Church's teachings and setting up a classroom "debate" of two sides and then zeroing in on the children who take one of the sides?

 

[DawnCt1]

OP,

I would call every single News Station out there, you should be outraged.

NO SCHOOL has the right to speak to your son in that way, especially one that you are paying for!!!!!!!!!!!!! Catholic or not, this is completely outrageous and I feel so very bad for your son. For adults to be acting in such a way is what scares me about the election tonight.

I know they are to teach you the morals of the Church but everyone has a right to their own opinion.

Tell your son that I am proud of him to sticking to his guns and being polite even though GROWN ADULTS were not. I would him out of that school so fast, that principles head would spin!

I can see the Breaking News story Now! Catholic School teaches Catholic Doctrine and points out to child that Obama supports abortion!! This will indeed be a news flash! I am shocked! Just shocked. It reminds me of the scene from Casablanca; "You mean there is gambling going on here??
If her son doesn't want his opinion commented upon, he needs to learn to keep it to himself. He is attending a Catholic school. One can't go for the education and think that they won't get the entire package.

 

[DawnCt1]

Dawn, do you not see the difference between teaching the Church's teachings and setting up a classroom "debate" of two sides and then zeroing in on the children who take one of the sides?

I see the difference in a public school, but in a Catholic school, in which a candidate is so blatantly against the teachings of the Church; abortion, care of an infant who survives abortion, etc. Why would you not expect the teacher to speak up and point that out to the children? The best response from the child might have been, "I didn't know that".