|
"We the People" Painting
by Cao Yong |
15 Sep 06
Principles CINews
PRINCIPLE - the source or origin of anything; a general truth, a truth so broad and sweeping that many other truths can be considered offshoots of it
Guiding Principles
Foundational Principles |
Constitution Day, Monday, Sep 18. Our Mission is to perpetuate the Constitution to each succeeding generation. To promote the annual national simultaneous recitation of the Preamble across all of America, especially in the schools. To involve all the 50 states in the roll call of states in the order they ratified the Constitution or were admitted to the Union. To educate each new generation to the uniqueness and brilliance of our Constitution, the most perfect governmental document conceived by man. To show the need to protect and defend it to maintain our liberties.
www.constitutionday.com; www.caoyongeditions.com
PRAYER -
I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers,
intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; for kings, and
for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life
in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight
of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto
the knowledge of the truth. I Tim 2:1-4
ENCOUNTER -
And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come. Luk 19:13
Community Calendar (check for updates, links, future events, and regular meetings) We want to be a blessing to our community and support events by avoiding scheduling conflicts.
- Sep 18 - Constitution Day
- Sep 19 - APS School Bonds Election
- Sep 19, 7pm - CSF Meeting at Faith Bible Church (Central & Moon)
- Sep 24, 6:30 - Wings for Life Career Night for youth and parents, Catholic Center, Sandia Room, 4000 St. Josephs Pl NW, 291-6412, 831-8117, 321-4086
- Sep 27 - See You at the Pole
- Sep 30, 10am - Creation Camp Picnic, Camp Oro Quay, $11 (includes meal & camp), can bring a desert, children 4 and under are free
- Oct - Greenridge Bible Music-Drama presentations in NM
Oct 23 - Greenridge at Missions Banquet in Clovis NM
UNDERSTANDING
- And of the children of Issachar, which were men
that had understanding of the time, to know what Israel ought to do; the heads
of them were two hundred; and all their brethren were at their commandment.
I Chron 12:32
Contents:
APS School Bonds Election
Why I Will Be Voting No on the APS Bond Issue by Mark Ortega
Fatherhood and Marriage Leadership Institute
Nancy Rue on Christian Heritage Series
Veggitales Makes Network TV
For the Love of Language - Winner
Cloning, Religious Freedom & Child Pain by Cindy Jones
Greenridge at Missions Banquet in Clovis NM
Sep is "Voter Registration Month"
Character Doesn't Count (Update)
Readers Talk Back
Friends of the Family
-
APS School Bonds Election
Registered voters will decide on Tue, Sep 19, to approve or disapprove $351 million in General Obligation Bonds. Passing the G.O. Bonds would increase property tax rates by 5.6 %. A Community Oversight Committee comprised of various independent community and business members monitors G.O. Bonds expenditures but have no influence on educational performance.
Voting locations: www.bernco.gov/live/departments.asp?dept=2315
APS Board of Ed: ww2.aps.edu/users/apsedumain/leadership2board-2006.htm
We live a post-modern culture where a speaker/author often attempts to define truth, especially when money is involved. The organization Yes for Our Children somehow has resources for billboards, commercials, and colored mailouts to every voting citizen of Albuquerque. Two advertisements focused on isolated cases of successful students (Ramirez and Lee). Consider cause and effect. Did the school system make these students what they are? What is the performance of the thousands of other students in the district? Is there conflict of interest with use of bond money and support by those who benefit from the taxpayers funding? A third mailout quoted Rick Wadley the President of Bank of America endorsing the bonds. What banks gain a commission from managing the bonds? Should eastside residents pay for schools on the westside? Do new buildings necessarily improve education? How are Albuquerque public schools performing? Is there a long range budget or will the district just ask for as much as it can get? Where are the pros and cons of these bonds (e.g., paying interest)? Answers to these and other questions are what voters should be considering for the election.
A list of Albuquerque schools needing improvement:
www.greatschools.net/cgi-bin/nm/district_profile/4/
Years ago, legislators passed a bill that would privatize failing schools in the government school system. On Mar 5, 2002, the governor vetoed the bill with an agreement from the school board president that schools would improve making privatization unnecessary.
What is the measure of educational success?
Albuquerque elementary and middle schools are throwing out the old familiar grades. Each district has its own methods of measuring students. Each change has caused confusion among parents. The new system is used in about 20 schools and will be adopted districtwide by 2007. Every trimester, parents receive a "Standards Based Progress Report" detailing how their child is doing in each subject and on the state standards in those subjects. For more details, see:
www.abqjournal.com/education/273075education12-15-04.htm
Think NM proposes a "third way" to improve NM public schools between the extremes of status quo and vouchers. Their report describes moving more power down to the state's individual schools by allowing the principal, parents, and teachers at each school to make decisions about curricula, budgets, and hiring and firing. In tandem with New Mexico's open enrollment law, this would allow public schools to set their own paths, and students and parents to choose the school that is best for them. The current state education administration is moving the opposite direction - centralized control through a Secretary of Education (2003 state constitutional amendment) and eliminating State Board of Education authority. For more details, see: www.thinknewmexico.org/policypubs.html
Think NM is a results-oriented think tank serving the citizens of New Mexico. Their mission is to improve the quality of life for all New Mexicans, especially working low and middle income families. They fulfill this mission by educating the public, the media, and policymakers about some of the most serious problems facing New Mexico and by developing effective, comprehensive, sustainable solutions to those problems.
How is the Governor is spending your money? If they can't get quality education during normal school hours, spend more money and more time - longer days and longer years. Why is running a school more difficult in NM than other states?
1. After-School Enrichment Program that will provide opportunities for tutoring and other programs four days a week. At a cost of $7.5 million, the state can fund 108 programs across the state (including transportation costs) - reaching 108,000 students.
2. New Mexico Executive Educator Turn Around Specialist program. The state will invest $1.5 million to train 20 certified school principals to be executive turn-around specialists for low-performing schools. They will undergo intensive training at the University of Virginia using the most advanced thinking in business and education to meet the demands of our most challenged schools. The program is part of Microsoft's Partners in Learning initiative.
3. School Improvement initiative. Expand the initiatives started this year with $13 million to pay for extended school days and longer school years at certain low-performing schools; pay for Reading, Math & Summer Institutes and the rest of the Governor's school improvement framework.
State of New Mexico Office of the Governor Press Release, Aug. 23, 2006
Contact: Gilbert Gallegos, (Santa Fe) 505-476-2217
Kate Nash: Education system is captive on account of politics
By Kate Nash, Tribune Columnist, Aug 21, 2006
SANTA FE - Way back when - what seems like an eternity ago - Gov. Bill Richardson asked voters and the Legislature for the tools he needed to shape up New Mexico schools. Change the Constitution for me, he said in 2003, and give me a Cabinet-level education secretary. So dutiful residents went to the polls and narrowly approved the change that set up the Public Education Department, and Richardson gave Veronica Garcia her job. "I want the authority to make our education system work, and I'll take full responsibility for the results," Richardson said at the time. "Just give me the tools." Critics said a new department wouldn't make the governor more accountable, that it would add to the already mammoth bureaucracy at the state Capitol, that it was a power grab by the governor.
Read the rest of the article at:
www.abqtrib.com/albq/nw_columnists/article/0,2564,ALBQ_19856_4933047,00.html
-
Why I Will Be Voting No on the APS Bond Issue by Mark Ortega
On Tuesday Sep 19 there will be an issue coming up for Albuquerque voters. It will be a Bond issue. Albuquerque Public Schools (APS) usually proposes these bonds every few years. Lately it has been twice a year - just long enough for voters to forget. The publicity for these issues is persistent. APS sends out flyers in the mail to promote how they want you to vote on this issue. They have commercials where they use kids to promote their cause. I for one am not buying what they are saying.
From 1995 to 2001 I was a substitute teacher in APS. This included every age, all over the district and in all subjects. The experience I had in the system was mixed. Some schools I worked at were great. The teachers were nice, the kids polite and the principals were helpful. Several times I had principles, teachers, or security tell me that if I had any problems to let them know. I always appreciated that. But other times I felt that if I had a problem with a kid that I was on my own. At one high school I had some students try to intimidate me because I tried to make them do their work. When I tried to report the incident, the administration wanted me to wait for an unreasonable amount of time when my safety could have been in danger. I wrote a report to the teacher. They took the side of the kids over me. After one 5th grader I had trouble with consistently argued with me in class the principle made me write a report on the incident. Afterwards she read the report to the parent. She had me talk to the parent without even letting know she read the report to her. If these were the only reasons for me not voting for APS Bonds at any time I could chalk it up for my own bad experiences. But they are not. (A)
I have a job where we use old cafeteria tables. My employer bought the tables from APS for $8 each. APS originally bought those tables for $800 each. APS sells old supplies to the public at discount prices. APS used tax payer funds to buy them at the high prices. Other materials are handled the same. So when APS says "we need money," what they're really saying is "we don't like what we have." I would argue that APS wastes millions of dollars every year on these supplies. When they want brand new equipment they get rid of the old equipment when it is still in great shape. (A)
Many times APS complains that they don't have enough books for kids. However, they have a warehouse full of books. Are the textbooks in the warehouse because they are unusable or does the district want to be able to claim a shortage? Do teachers know what books are in the warehouse? I believe it's just another example of APS waste. (A)
Albuquerque Mayor Martin Chavez recently complained about APS graduation rates. (B) They are at 52.9% as of 2005. This is while the Governor is bragging about how much state schools have improved. Chavez asks if the school system is responsive to the public. He also argues that we are not getting fair results from the current system. Lastly Chavez states that if his administration in the Albuquerque City Government got the same results he would not be satisfied and would consider it a failure. The problem with APS is that it is not held accountable.
Because APS has a monopoly on the educational system they get the education tax revenue. Because there is no support for private schools in terms of tax revenue they can keep a stranglehold on tax dollars. That's why APS and the National Education Association (NEA) are so opposed to voucher programs. They know that if they lose their monopoly and face competition, they will have serious challenges to their cash cows. I believe it would force APS to improve their underachieving schools by giving them more viable competition for students and tax dollars.
A few years ago APS started a Health Insurance Program for homosexual couples. This took a big cut out of revenue. Elementary students are taught sex education by someone besides their parents. I believe that is ONLY the parent's job. I know some parents have a hard time doing this. Would you trust a stranger to teach something so personal to your kids? I personally witnessed a Planned Parenthood (PP) employee teach sex education to fifth graders in one elementary school a few years ago. As any pro-life observer can tell you, having a PP employee teach sex education to kids is like having a fox in the chicken coop. In one high school class room there was a poster of condoms with faces promoting condom use. Is this how APS wants to use our tax dollars?
APS has a history of being inconsistent with their disciplinary policy. The zero tolerance policy of no alcohol related problems applies to students and NOT administrators. (C) Their chief business officer Michael Vigil was charged with aggravated DWI. Two days later he returned to work. Principal Vernon Martinez of Monroe Middle School was arrested for DWI recently. While his case was in limbo he remained on the job. Although students have a 45 day suspension for any DWI offense even if it is off campus or after school hours these rules do not apply to APS administrators. How can we expect kids to respect the adults in charge of them if these adults break the law or set bad examples for them? It's another example of APS hypocrisy.
Recently there was a study of APS various testing results. There were troubling results. (D) Graduation rates for Native Americans (NAs) were lowest among all ethnic groups. Hispanics had the highest drop out rate with NAs having the second highest rates. There were big gaps for Hispanics, NAs, and African Americans as compared to Asians and Whites. This would explain why there is such a gap in academic achievement for poor minority dominated schools and rich upper class schools. APS is not doing the job they are called to do with these kids.
In conclusion, APS needs some major changes. Recently they have started to send out flyers in the mail and had commercials using students at APS. They use our natural compassion for children. They play on our emotions. Most normal adults care about children and their future. But where is our money really going and what are the results of these endless bonds? Is it fair to exploit children to get more money for useless programs that don't get results? I know there are some schools that are excellent. I have friends that are teachers in the system. But low test scores, endless tax payer waste, and useless programs make me wonder if they are ever held accountable. The governor wants to put more money into programs that do not work. I think APS needs to have an independent tax audit done on their whole system. We need to see exactly where our money is going. They should keep the teachers and programs that are getting good results. Obviously many in lower income, minority dominated schools are not getting results. They need to be replaced. APS needs an overhaul of their system. Otherwise we will just keep getting bilked with tax increases and endless whining of "not enough money." Will we keep the status quo or will we finally make APS accountable? Send a message on Tuesday - VOTE NO!
A) The topics discussed in these sections are from my personnel experience in APS.
B) www.cabq.gov/blogs/mayor/2006/03/528_graduation_rate_studenttea.html - Mayor Chavez blog.
C) www.abqjournal.com/opinion/IOP5-28.HTM - regarding alcohol policy.
D) www.nmhomes.com/aps.html - testing results and issues.
-
Fatherhood and Marriage Leadership Institute
As you know, children raised in healthy homes with both their biological parents do better in school and are less likely to take drugs, be violent, commit crimes and become pregnant as teens. Unfortunately, the popular culture and the mass media like us to think it's the economics of the family and not the structure that is the culprit with regards to our social problems.
I'd like to invite you to look into a new national organization called the Fatherhood and Marriage Leadership Institute (www.famli.us) that is working on several noteworthy projects. Among them is an effort for the states to allocate 1% of their TANF (Welfare) budget to the family-formation goals of welfare reform, which include fatherhood and healthy marriages services. Although several legislators have tried to move New Mexico towards this goal, we presently spend very little money on family formation in NM.
This is a huge problem and FAMLI has some answers.
Senator Mark Boitano
boitanom@aol.com
-
Nancy Rue on Christian Heritage Series
We were working with one publisher, but sadly that fell through. Now it looks like a publisher I will be signing another contract with in the next few weeks is interested in CHS as well, so we have to see what happens with that. If that falls through, I have a contact in the world of print-on-demand, and I will be looking into that next.
Blessings,
Nancy Rue
Christian Heritage Series by Nancy Rue
www.nancyrue.com/Christian%20Heritage.htm
Salem - set in the 1690s
Williamsburg - set in the 1780s
Charleston - set in the 1860s
Chicago - set in the 1920s
Santa Fe - set in the 1940s
Anyone with extra books or willing to share, please go to the following website:
www.nancyrue.com/Round%20Robin.htm
Please register for the 16th Annual Christian Heritage Speech Competition for students in grades 6-12, Sat, Nov 11. Call 343-7456 or email chsc@integrity.com, www.rges.cc/chsc.htm
-
Veggitales Make Network TV
VeggieTales premiered on NBC, Sat morning Sep 9, followed by another Big Idea creation, 3-2-1 Penguins!/LarryBoy Stories (complete with Bible verses). A significant cultural milestone has occurred for these Christian programs to appear on network TV. Though Agape Press story below reports "religious content editing," Bible verses remain though unreferenced. Check local listings for times and station.
www.bigidea.com/company/news/veggie_tv.htm
The popular Christian-themed VeggieTales cartoons, which feature loveable talking vegetables Larry the Cucumber, Bob the Tomato, and other "veggies," are now being broadcast on Saturday mornings on NBC. Fans will notice some changes, however, as the network has insisted any biblical or evangelical messages in the animated shows be edited out. Link to Agape Press story for the rest of the story.
-
For the Love of Language - Winner
We had a winner! John Powell of Las Cruces translated the phrase:
В начиная боге создал рай и землю. Text is Russian. The translation is In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Gen 1:1
John said "I used it in my pre-evangelistic talk at our international dinner Friday. Russia was our country of topic and I started with the story of the puzzle and handed it to the Russian speaker who read it to the group. Then I spoke of the trackway here with mammal and reptile tracks in the same spot and the Las Lunas Decalogue Stone with the ancient Hebrew script carving of the 10 commandments. It helped me get a good running start. Gave them the website for the translator."
A copy of the CD Homeward Flight from the Georgia based Gospel group Christian Heritage was sent to John Powell. Congratulations and thanks for participating!
-
Cloning, Religious Freedom & Child Pain by Cindy Jones
Voting expected in Congress on the "American Values Agenda" bills - Act now
Expect a Congressional vote THIS MONTH in the House of Representatives on these three conservative issues.
"Public Expression of Religion Act" HR2679: Congressman John Hostettler will get a vote on his bill before the end of September. HR2679 will ensure that local officials and communities do not face financial ruin while defending their rights to free speech under the Constitution. What this bill will do is make sure that no monetary damages, costs or attorney's fees can be awarded when someone sues the state or local officials over the issue of public expression of religion.
"Unborn Child Pain Awareness Act" HR356: This bill by Congressman Chris Smith (Republican from NJ) already overwhelmingly passed the House in a previous Congress. HR356 is about only one requirement for only one type of abortion, the gruesome partial birth abortion. Partial birth abortions are only executed during the last months of a pregnancy when the child is already capable of living outside the womb if he or she were allowed to be born. This bill would require anyone performing this late-term abortion to inform the mother seeking the abortion of the medical evidence proving that her child feels pain and it would ensure that if she chooses to continue with the abortion that she has the option of choosing anesthesia for her child to lessen the severity of pain for the baby during death. Conservatives/Republicans are still working to try to ban this particular abortion procedure completely but liberals/Democrats have blocked all attempts to date. Until we can get this banned, let's at least make the abortionist tell the truth about the child's pain so that perhaps some of these babies will not die with the most terrible pain.
"Human Cloning Prohibition Act" HR1357: Congressman Dave Weldon's bill is the third bill making up what is referred to as the "American Values Agenda" of the Republican leadership of the House of Representatives. This bill bans all forms of human cloning. HR1357 will ban reproductive cloning and 'clone and kill' techniques as well. This bill will also ban the importation of products derived from a cloned embryo.
Please contact your Congressional Representative and request that he or she vote in favor of these three bills, which will come to a vote before the end of this month. I know it is hard to believe that any of these common sense bills would have a tough time passing but, unfortunately, there are many Democrats who will vote against them simply because Republicans bring them to the table. Speak up so that good bills will be passed regardless of the party affiliation of the bills' creators.
The congressional switchboard phone number is (202) 224-3121.
http://cindyslist.spaces.live.com/
-
Greenridge at Missions Banquet in Clovis NM
From New Mexico to the World Missions Banquet
Monday, October 23, 6:00 p.m.
Central Baptist Church, Clovis
Cost $18 ($20 after October 9)
Dress: Formal
Myra Green of Greenridge Ministries will present the Biblical music/drama "Ruth."
From New Mexico to the World Missions Celebration
Tuesday, October 24, 9-12
Highland Baptist Church, Clovis
Judith Edwards
Missions Mobilization Team Leader
Baptist Convention of New Mexico
505-924-2316 or 800-898-8544 x316
-
Sep is "Voter Registration Month"
Register voters in the month of Sep. Churches may set up information tables for voter registration. Anyone who has moved to NM or will be 18 by Nov 7 can register. Anyone who has changed their name or moved should also register with the updated information. The deadline for registration is 30 days prior to the election.
Generation Joshua and the National Center for Home Education, divisions of HSLDA, have designated Sunday September 10 and 17 as "National Voter Registration Sundays." Please consider joining this effort to help sign up new voters at your church.
www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=3245
-
Character Doesn't Count (Update)
CINews previously reported that PHS hired Joe Calvaruso under questionable circumstances based on an investigation regarding behavior of the CEO and two other top officials during a company training program. Trinity Health found they had engaged in behavior that was "inappropriate and inconsistent" with the organizations' values. "We conducted a thorough review and found the behavior neither silly nor trivial. It was not a 'walking in someone else's shoes' exercise as has been described," said Trinity spokesman Steve Shivinsky.
www.modernhealthcare.com/dailydose/2005-12-16_dailydose.html#ts2
In a follow-up conversation with Joe Calvaruso on Aug 28, 2006, Joe said PHS took a different view of the incident and downplayed the results of Trinity's investigation. He said the Higher Ground training program developed by Canadian author Lance Secretan, improved the quality of relationship between employer and employee. Turnover was reduced by half from 24% to 10%. Joe led the Higher Ground program with 32 groups. Only one group wanted to exchange clothing and Joe allowed that group to proceed. He said participants exchanged clothing in a back room before appearing to the group. Management objected and conducted an investigation. Calvaruso sided with the group's decision and overall results of the Higher Ground program, and resigned. He said he is not bringing the Higher Ground program to PHS but will focus on meeting criteria for the Baldrige Award.
-
Reader's Talk Back
I am wondering if you contacted Joe regarding this article in the Principles? I know Joe personally and believe this portrays him in a questionable light and I hope you validated this story with him. He and his wife are homeschoolers and seem to be very faithful people. I look forward to hearing from you that you did, in fact, discuss this with Joe before you printed this inflammatory article about him. Also, I believe Presbyterian Healthcare Services probably has more Christian Senior Executives than most other NM businesses. I know this because they are personal friends of ours. I don't appreciate your portrayal of PHS in this way, either. They are still strongly committed to the values that Mrs. Van conveyed to the organization almost 100 years ago. Karen Zondlo
-
Friends of the Family is a group of key supporters who invest monthly in family ministry. Their commitment is key to the ongoing effectiveness of Focus on the Family and enables us to extend the ministry to many who cannot afford the resources and services they need. They also enable our radio programs, our efforts to defend family values, and our outreaches to special groups like teens, unwed mothers, and non-Christians. For more information, call 1-800-A-FAMILY.
-