Barack Obama and the D.C. Voucher program...

Barack Obama says he wants to do what's right for the kids, yet, in spite of evidence that the D.C. school voucher program is successful, he has decided to cut the program.

Parents plead with Obama to tell them why and to continue the Opportunity Scholarship Program...



So, Mr. Obama, what's your answer? Why would you support discontinuing such a successful program?

Simple Schooling's May Freebies and a Contest!

The Simple Homeschool.com folks have their May Freebies up. These include Copywork for Boys and Copywork for girls. If you aren't a subscriber, but want to be, you can still get the links to April's freebies - four. I must be honest and say I haven't had the chance to use any of these materials yet, but, after looking at her web site and learning a little about her, I like what I see. She has complete science and history curricula for sale, as well as individual unit studies for as little as .99 each. I do plan on working one of these in, hopefully soon, and posting a review.

0This month you can win free Simple Schooling Curriculum by entering the Creative Classroom Contest. There could be more than one winner, so be sure to send in your entry! (One winner for every 25 entries!) You enter by uploading a photo of your school room and explaining how you did it. Get full details here!

Legislation to prevent mandatory psychological screening of children

Ron Paul and others have introduced H.R. 2218, which is called the "Parental Consent Act" to prevent children from being "subjected to mandatory mental-health screening without the express, written, voluntary, informed consent of their parents or legal guardians. From the bill:"

(a) Universal or Mandatory Mental Health Screening Program--No Federal funds may be used to establish or implement any universal or mandatory mental health, psychiatric, or socio-emotional screening program.

(b) Refusal To Consent as Basis of a Charge of Child Abuse or Education Neglect--No Federal education funds may be paid to any local educational agency or other instrument of government that uses the refusal of a parent or legal guardian to provide express, written, voluntary, informed consent to mental health screening for his or her child as the basis of a charge of child abuse, child neglect, medical neglect, or education neglect until the agency or instrument demonstrates that it is no longer using such refusal as a basis of such a charge.

(c) Definition--For purposes of this Act , the term `universal or mandatory mental health, psychiatric, or socio-emotional screening program; (1) means any mental health screening program in which a set of individuals (other than members of the Armed Forces or individuals serving a sentence resulting from conviction for a criminal offense) is automatically screened without regard to whether there was a prior indication of a need for mental health treatment;

H/T Secondhand Smoke. Read the rest of Wesley Smith's post here.

Arlington, VA guidelines for letting your child play in the yard...

From the Arlington, VA Human Services web site:

Whenever any child is unsupervised/unattended:

There must be no emotional, medical, or behavioral problems that affect the child’s judgment or decision-making.

The child must be comfortable being alone.

All youths, including teens, must have a safety plan worked out with the parent/caretaker including:

How to access a parent or other responsible adult at all times (knowing the adult’s whereabouts and telephone number).

What to do in case of an emergency.

Guidelines for acceptable behavior.

Youth must demonstrate the ability to follow the safety plan and make good decisions about personal safety.


Supervision Guidelines:

8 years and under: Should not be left alone for any period of time. This includes leaving children unattended in cars, playgrounds, and yards.

9 to 10 years: Should not be left alone for more than 1 ½ hours and only during daylight and early evening hours.

11 to 12 years: May be left alone for up to 3 hours, but not late at night or in circumstances requiring adult supervision.

13 to 15 years: May be left unsupervised, but not overnight.

16 to 17 years: May be left unsupervised for up to two consecutive overnight periods.

Go here for the Spanish version!

Aren't you glad we have the government looking out for our families? Otherwise, we humans would become extinct!