| From the HSLDA E-lert Service: |
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| Date: From: Subject: | 8/24/2012 9:16:05 AM Mike Donnelly--HSLDA Upton-Mendon Situation Shows that Freedom Demands Vigilance |
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====================================================================== From the HSLDA E-lert Service... ====================================================================== Upton-Mendon Situation Shows that Freedom Demands Vigilance Dear HSLDA Members and Friends, Do you feel as though relative peace reigns in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for homeschoolers? At HSLDA we respond to hundreds of situations every year where public officials exert excessive or unnecessary authority over homeschoolers. Below is just one example of a particularly concerning situation we are addressing right now. Your prayers and support are appreciated as we work with homeschoolers in the Mendon-Upton District to resolve this situation, which demonstrates how important it is for homeschoolers to stay vigilant to protect the freedoms we have fought for! On May 7 the Mendon-Upton School Committee revised their homeschool policy to include several new unlawful and burdensome requirements. The policy includes requirements to match standards for public schools, use district-approved notification forms, coordinate meetings with an administrator who will supervise homeschool programs, and that no changes may be made to a homeschool program without prior approval of the school committee or superintendent. This policy goes far beyond what Massachusetts homeschool law allows. I have already written to the school superintendent suggesting several changes and to request that the policy be revised. In response to my request, and those of other homeschooling families in the district, a public meeting of the sub-committee is scheduled to review this policy. The meeting is scheduled for Monday, August 27 at 5:30 p.m. in the Professional Development Room at Nipmuc Regional High School located at 90 Pleasant Street, Upton, MA 01568. You can review the policy and my letter here: http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=15535 ). (http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=15533 ) If you homeschool your children in this or a nearby district, please consider coming to the meeting. I plan to testify about what law permits and does not. I hope to encourage the committee to simplify the policy in accordance with the law. Your attendance will show support for our cause and encourage the school committee to make positive changes. I plan to be at the school at 5:00 p.m. to meet with any homeschoolers who arrive beforehand. Your public testimony in favor of a simple policy that respects parental rights to homeschool and removes unnecessary, burdensome and in some cases unlawful bureaucratic requirements will be helpful. Together we can protect our freedom! See you there! Very truly yours, Michael P. Donnelly, Esq. HSLDA Staff Attorney P.S. Without your support we could not advance homeschool freedom. If you or someone you know is not a member of HSLDA, will you consider taking a moment today to join or recommend us and support our work defending individual families threatened by government officials and protecting homeschooling freedom for all? Join now: http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=15534 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- -> What do you look like when you get out of bed? It's hard to look our best all the time. HSLDA works to present homeschooling in an engaging, dynamic, and informative light to the public news media. More reasons to join HSLDA... http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=1104 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ====================================================================== The HSLDA E-lert Service is a service of: Home School Legal Defense Association P.O. 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