What has become of our public schools?

[muman613]

This is believable but completely repulsive...

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,529099,00.html

Symbols of communism and marijuana and a prediction that "capitalism will fail" aren't exactly the sort of end-of-year messages you'd expect from an eighth grader.

But that's precisely what some students at the Black Pine Circle School, a private school in Berkeley, Calif., chose to include in their "Class of 2007" mosaic.

The symbols, which are prominently displayed outside the school, have prompted questions about the appropriateness of images like a hammer and sickle and a marijuana leaf on school grounds — and have led critics to say they are blatant proof of political indoctrination of young children.

Black Pine Circle bills itself as a day school where students from kindergarten through eighth grade will be "maximally free of all the 'isms' which pervade most aspects of the world around them: from racism to sexism to the less obvious forms of discrimination," according to its Web site.

Capitalism, even if it fails, apparently isn't one of those: Tuition for a 10-month term costs more than $17,000.

Laura Wolff, assistant director and head of BPCS's Lower School, told FOXNews.com that each graduating student makes a tile to commemorate his or her time there, sometimes teaming up with other students to make a "dual tile." She said school officials do not edit or otherwise influence the end products.

"Being Berkeley, of course, we don't censor their creative expression," Wolff said. "It's fun to see what they come up with."

During a brief interview, Wolff said she was not familiar with the images in question — including the four-tile hammer and sickle depiction — and referred inquiries to John Carlstroem, director of the school, and art teachers Kieren Dutcher and Kim Buckingham. Multiple messages seeking additional comment were not returned.

Ron Reynolds, executive director of the California Association of Private School Organizations, said the images were in "bad taste," but stopped short of calling for their removal.

"I am certainly not enamored by that particular expression and I certainly disagree, but I don't think there's a law against someone expressing a stupid thought," Reynolds told FOXNews.com. "If they felt capitalism will fail, I'd be curious to see what their alternative is."

The mosaic's location on the perimeter of the school serves as an "advertisement for discriminating parents," according to Reynolds, who said he thought the images were conjured up solely by the students.

"Living in Berkeley, I don't think it's a tremendous stretch," he said. "If it were in Irvine or Van Nuys, yeah, I think there would be some raised eyebrows."

Alice Davis, 21, attended Black Pine Circle School from 1998 to 2001 and remembers painting her own tile — a "cityscape scene at nighttime." Davis, now living in Brooklyn, N.Y., said she doesn't recall receiving any instruction regarding the content of her creation.

"They left it up to a bunch of 13-year-olds to decide," Davis told FOXNews.com. "They were hands off in telling us what was appropriate and what wasn't. It was left to our judgment."

Meanwhile, Danae Condos, president of the Berkeley College Republicans, said she found the images "shocking" and not suitable for young children.

"I know some people might say it fits in with the Berkeley atmosphere, but it does say something about the type of education the students are receiving," she told FOXNews.com. "It's obvious that they're receiving some political indoctrination from the school or from their parents. There's no doubt in my mind they're being politically influenced in their education."

Condos, a 19-year-old student at the University of California-Berkeley, said she doubted that school administrators would allow any and all symbols.

"They wouldn't allow a swastika symbol," she said. "It shows where the school's standards lie. If you're seeing this at one of the top-notch schools in the area, imagine what's going on it other schools that don't have the same privileges."

Our schools are places where the communists are indoctrinating our youths with counter-culture and anti-Americanism... I think there should be a purge of teachers who subscribe to this vile propaganda.

[Confederate Kahanist]

As scary as this sounds.  Because of this,  capitalism may come to an end. 

[AsheDina]

 

[HiWarp]

Is this really surprising from a school in Berkley?

[nessuno]

Is this really surprising from a school in Berkley?

Did you mean Bezerkly?

[HiWarp]

Is this really surprising from a school in Berkley?

Did you mean Bezerkly?

Well that's certainly more appropriate.

[nessuno]

I wouldn't pay for my child to go to Bezerkly. 
Commonsense tells me that she would come out drawing the same pictures, if she went there.

[briann]

Education has become a draw for radicalism.  Its a shame, because there are some really good teachers who are trying to do their best to educate the young generation, but they are also being poisoned by Marxism and anti-Americanism.

[momofsixbabes]

Education has become a draw for radicalism.  Its a shame, because there are some really good teachers who are trying to do their best to educate the young generation, but they are also being poisoned by Marxism and anti-Americanism.

Honestly, as a past public school teacher, I am still trying to get all the junk out of my head that makes me feel  brain washed by the Educational system in college. The colleges teach the teachers to think "tolerance" which isn't really tolerance but indoctrination......

[~Hanna~]

Yeah, they have other "programs" as well...ie: PARENT TRAINING..where the SCHOOL has days to TRAIN parents how to be PARENTS...

I have never gone, cuz I can see what they are trying to do....

They want a bunch of robots, all doing, thinking, saying the same exact things, with their "approval".

[AsheDina]

They are teaching the kids now about homo sex in schools. They are destroying the kids and making them into evil little demons.  HOW can we SAVE these kids?

[Jeff L]

A couple students at a private school in Berkley with a 17k a year tuition is nothing to be alarmed about.  Their communist parents have obviously indoctrinated them.  Grade school students have at best a rudimentary understanding of political ideologies.

[muman613]

A couple students at a private school in Berkley with a 17k a year tuition is nothing to be alarmed about.  Their communist parents have obviously indoctrinated them.  Grade school students have at best a rudimentary understanding of political ideologies.

This is not so uncommon... We have read about stories where conservative teachers are pushed out of the schools, how public schools are indoctrinating with homosexuality and communism, and the list goes on and on.

This is just one of the most blatant examples of this phenomenon.

[TheCoon]

Really shows how insane these people are supporting communism yet paying 17000 dollars a year to send their stupid kids to the school.

[momofsixbabes]

A couple students at a private school in Berkley with a 17k a year tuition is nothing to be alarmed about.  Their communist parents have obviously indoctrinated them.  Grade school students have at best a rudimentary understanding of political ideologies.

This is not so uncommon... We have read about stories where conservative teachers are pushed out of the schools, how public schools are indoctrinating with homosexuality and communism, and the list goes on and on.

This is just one of the most blatant examples of this phenomenon.

I, as a young teacher of 22, years ago, begged parent to homeschool their children (and that was almost twenty years ago). I was given six homo tapes to show sixth graders. Our principal was livid because we wouldn't show the homo tapes to the children. I was horrified at what was in the schools. I refused to teach much of it. I had a friend that had the children cut some of the textbook pages out. She was pretty cool and bold. It is really much worse than parents realize. I don't have a single girlfriend who taught with me that isn't homeschooling. My friend of thirty five year retired said it is much worse than what it was when I was there. I didn't even want the details. Most parents have not even a clue at the tip of the iceberg...and, most won't believe all that I could disclose.

[nessuno]

Children can't be sheltered from society forever.
You have to be informed about and involved in their education.
Eventually they will have to hit the streets.
It is best to prepare them to deal with the garbage, kick the crap to the side and move forward on a moral path.

[momofsixbabes]

Children can't be sheltered from society forever.
You have to be informed about and involved in their education.
Eventually they will have to hit the streets.
It is best to prepare them to deal with the garbage, kick the crap to the side and move forward on a moral path.

Sure, I think that is just what the Jewish tradition would show....hmmm....let, see...Did the Jewish people send their children to Rome to get educated? What does the Torah say about your beliefs?

[MasterWolf1]

The school I went to is closing its doors forever.  It was a private Catholic school cause of the lack of students.  Trust me the Private schools are much better

[nessuno]

Children can't be sheltered from society forever.
You have to be informed about and involved in their education.
Eventually they will have to hit the streets.
It is best to prepare them to deal with the garbage, kick the crap to the side and move forward on a moral path.

Sure, I think that is just what the Jewish tradition would show....hmmm....let, see...Did the Jewish people send their children to Rome to get educated? What does the Torah say about your beliefs?

Where does it say to keep your children locked away in a closet in any holy book?

[cjd]

Children can't be sheltered from society forever.
You have to be informed about and involved in their education.
Eventually they will have to hit the streets.
It is best to prepare them to deal with the garbage, kick the crap to the side and move forward on a moral path.

Sure, I think that is just what the Jewish tradition would show....hmmm....let, see...Did the Jewish people send their children to Rome to get educated? What does the Torah say about your beliefs?

Kids today need to be right in the thick of whats going on to know whats shaking out there. If they are to sheltered they will not be aware of the evil that is prevalent in today's society. A good family structure at home can overcome most of the evil that is being disseminated in today's schools. A main stream education is best in my opinion.

[muman613]

Children can't be sheltered from society forever.
You have to be informed about and involved in their education.
Eventually they will have to hit the streets.
It is best to prepare them to deal with the garbage, kick the crap to the side and move forward on a moral path.

Sure, I think that is just what the Jewish tradition would show....hmmm....let, see...Did the Jewish people send their children to Rome to get educated? What does the Torah say about your beliefs?

Kids today need to be right in the thick of whats going on to know whats shaking out there. If they are to sheltered they will not be aware of the evil that is prevalent in today's society. A good family structure at home can overcome most of the evil that is being disseminated in today's schools. A main stream education is best in my opinion.

The problem is that evil is like an infection... Human nature is attracted to evil through our own yetzer hara. This is why it is so bad to look at images we are not supposed to look at. The act itself is not bad, the thoughts which result from the image are the bad thing. I do not think kids should be taught about all the evil in the world, it will end up becoming attractive to them.

I dont think it is the responsibility of schools to teach kids about the intricacies of homosexual sex. I dont think schools should teach sex education.

[nessuno]

Children can't be sheltered from society forever.
You have to be informed about and involved in their education.
Eventually they will have to hit the streets.
It is best to prepare them to deal with the garbage, kick the crap to the side and move forward on a moral path.

Sure, I think that is just what the Jewish tradition would show....hmmm....let, see...Did the Jewish people send their children to Rome to get educated? What does the Torah say about your beliefs?

Kids today need to be right in the thick of whats going on to know whats shaking out there. If they are to sheltered they will not be aware of the evil that is prevalent in today's society. A good family structure at home can overcome most of the evil that is being disseminated in today's schools. A main stream education is best in my opinion.

The problem is that evil is like an infection... Human nature is attracted to evil through our own yetzer hara. This is why it is so bad to look at images we are not supposed to look at. The act itself is not bad, the thoughts which result from the image are the bad thing. I do not think kids should be taught about all the evil in the world, it will end up becoming attractive to them.

I dont think it is the responsibility of schools to teach kids about the intricacies of homosexual sex. I dont think schools should teach sex education.

Isn't it impossible to shield children from all the evils in the world?
What happens when they become adults?
Never having been exposed to those things may make them even more attractive and alluring.

[HiWarp]

Really shows how insane these people are supporting communism yet paying 17000 dollars a year to send their stupid kids to the school.

Not really.  Communist elitists typically want communism for the masses, not for themselves.  That's why the politicians in Washington aren't overly concerned about nationalized health care leading to rationing and long wait periods.  It won't apply to them.

[GoIsraelGo!]

Children can't be sheltered from society forever.
You have to be informed about and involved in their education.
Eventually they will have to hit the streets.
It is best to prepare them to deal with the garbage, kick the crap to the side and move forward on a moral path.

Excellent post reply Bullcat!
Very well put.

Shalom - Dox

[momofsixbabes]

Children can't be sheltered from society forever.
You have to be informed about and involved in their education.
Eventually they will have to hit the streets.
It is best to prepare them to deal with the garbage, kick the crap to the side and move forward on a moral path.

Sure, I think that is just what the Jewish tradition would show....hmmm....let, see...Did the Jewish people send their children to Rome to get educated? What does the Torah say about your beliefs?

Where does it say to keep your children locked away in a closet in any holy book?

It is sad that a "Jewish" moderator would have such a lack of respect for the Torah.