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British Columbia Parents and Teachers for Life Website

News About Parents for Democracy in Education Society

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Contact information for Parents for Democracy in Education Society

Religious Leaders Approve Statements Regarding Education

P.D.E.S. Petition to the Legislature of British Columbia

We present this page to give our readers news about the activities and concerns of Parents for Democracy in Education. This is an organization we have been happy to work wirth and have confidence in. As always, material quoted or otherwise passed on from any other organization is the responsibility of that organization.

Contact information for Parents for Democracy in Education:

Parents for Democracy in Education Society
Len Remple, who has expended tremendous effort in seeking to make representations on behalf of those concerned about the Corren Agreement, heads up this society.
Contact information:
E-mail: lenremple@shaw.ca
Phone: 604-308-9887
Len Remple, President
3940 Verdon Way
Abbotsford, B.C. V2T 7Y3
A brochure is available.

News from Parents for Democracy in Education:

Urgent Meeting for Teachers and Concerned Parents.

DATE: The meeting will be on Tuesday August 26/08 7:30PM

LOCATION: Compass Point Inn, 9850 King George Hwy. Surrey

(This is at the end of the Sky-train.)

PURPOSE: To discuss the teachers' guide for the revised curriculum at BC schools.

This came about as a result of the Corren Agreement.

Come and hear a discussion about what will be forced to be taught and the consequences of this new curriculum.

Opening remarks will be by Bill Vander Zalm and Ron Gray. Ted Hewlett of British Columbia Parents and Teachers for Life will lead the discussion. There will be time for questions and answers from attendees.

PARENTS FOR DEMOCRACY IN EDUCATION SOCIETY---July 27.08

On Monday July 21/08 we joined hands with BC PARENTS AND TEACHERS FOR LIFE ASSOCIATION (Ted Hewlett, Pres) and had a meeting especially for teachers of BC.

Ted Hewlett, a retired teacher, and Len Remple presented the ramifications of the new teacher’s guide which the Ministry of Education of BC has named “Making Space, Giving Voice”.

It was pointed out that this new guide can be used to indoctrinate propaganda to students that is contrary to the traditional, cultural and religious values of the parents of BC.

The teachers attending the meeting were re-informed about the Corren Agreement and how that agreement has caused a complete revision of the BC school curriculum so as to provide a favourable portrayal of homosexuality. This creates a dilemma for teachers who disagree with the promotion of portraying homosexuality, trans-gender, cross-dressing and lesbianism as just another lifestyle and equal in all respects to the “straight” lifestyle.

This whole subject was discussed with the attendees. Many questions from the floor were addressed about this curriculum revision. The result was an elevated level of concern as to what would be the consequences to teachers who, in good conscience cannot teach what the teacher’s guide compels.

Although this meeting was especially for teachers in the Lower Mainland, many were unable to attend due to the short notice from the time the invitations were extended. It was agreed at this meeting that another meeting should take place for teachers. This will enable many teachers to attend who could not make it on July 21/08.

On August 26/08 (Tuesday) we plan to have another meeting for teachers. This time the meeting will be held in Surrey . The location has not yet been firmed up. As soon as the location has been confirmed, you will be advised.

While the meeting is directed to teachers, all parents are invited to attend.

IT IS URGED THAT EACH PERSON WHO ATTENDED THE RECENT MEETING, INVITE 10 TEACHERS/PARENTS TO COME TO THE AUGUST 26 MEETING.

On another matter:

We have successfully developed a “Coalition” of various faiths. This coalition now includes Hindus, Sikhs, Muslims and Christians. In addition to these faith communities there are numerous other organizations who are collaborating with us in this cause. It is an encouragement to find that on this one issue we can all join hands to oppose the degeneration of the education of BC’s children. That degeneration cannot go unchallenged.

On still another matter:

On Thursday July 24/08 while driving in Surrey from one meeting to the next meeting a van with 5 people in it went thru a 4-way stop and smashed into my car. The impact was on the driver’s side, hitting the rear door, the wheel and trunk. I was taken to Surrey Memorial Hospital and checked out thoroughly. This took about 3 hours. There were no broken bones, but a lot of bruising where the seat-belt restrained me. My ribs feel like they are broken, but the x-ray showed no broken ribs. There was concern that my pacemaker wires could have been dislodged, but they were OK.

The insurance company will appraise the damages in about a week. They are far behind in their accident appraisals. With a fast look at it and under it, the appraiser said the damages would be between $7,000. and $10,000.

Thanks to our good Lord I’m still here. There must be some unfinished business I am destined to finish.

God’s blessings to all who read this newsletter.

PARENTS FOR DEMOCRACY IN EDUCATION SOCIETY

Len Remple, Pres.

Religious Leaders Approve Statements Regarding Education
(This article was posted on this website on July 17, 2008.)

Faith leaders in the Greater Vancvouver area have made important statements regarding education. We would urge that other leaders would join in approving one or other of the following statements and publicizing their endorsement widely.

HopeVancouver

A group of Evangelical church leaders have initiated a movement under the title "Hope Vanmcouver." The website for HopeVancouver is at http://www.hopevancouver.org/movement.htm . On the page "We Stand on Guard" is the following statement, which Christian leaders are invited to sign and send in to Hope Vancouver, 10330 144th Street Surrey BC VT3 4V3 .

Suggested Wording for a Statement from Religious Leaders

As leaders of various faith communities and faith-based endeavors in the province of British Columbia, we feel responsible at this time to speak out publicly regarding principles basic to

the rights of parents and children, and the welfare of the family as an institution. These principles are not peculiar to anyone faith or to people of faith alone, but can be defended

by rational argument and have for centuries been part of the ideals of our society. We are challenging governments to recognize and implement these principles as they apply to public

education in this province, and accordingly enunciate our views in the following statements:

1. We affirm our common desire to see established within the schools of British Columbia an atmosphere in which harassment or abusive conduct directed at any

student is not acceptable, regardless of their actual or apparent association or identification with any group.

2. Parents must be recognized as having the prime responsibility for the upbringing of their children. This includes prime responsibility for their education.

3. Public schools should be open with parents about what they teach students. Teaching materials should be open to examination by parents, and particular care should be taken

that parents are directly advised, well in advance, when classroom or school wide discussion is planned regarding topics likely to be controversial concerning the nature of

sexual relations and the family.

4. Nothing in the curriculum or practice of British Columbia public schools should denigrate the belief in the unique value of the institution of marriage between a man and woman

as the basis of the family, nor should the public schools teach or imply that other unions can be viewed as morally equivalent to such a union.

5. Access to the means of influencing the development of curriculum for all subjects in British Columbia public schools should be equally open to all groups of parents and interested

citizens. No special rights of access or influence should be given to particular private citizens.

6. Within any subject area, for topics which their children or they feel more comfortable having dealt with in a different setting, parents of public-school students in all school

districts should be able to make arrangements for "alternative delivery" (in a manner and time and place of the parents' choosing) of teaching that respects the individual

differences and needs of their children.

At this time we call upon the provincial government to respond to the statements we have made on behalf of many thousands of parents and other citizens of the Province.

Signed this _______________day of ________ , 2008

Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Vancouver

The Roman Catholic Archdiocese has also approved a statement on education, similar in most respects to the one endorsed by HopeVancouver. Here is the wording of the statement, approved by the bishops of the Archdiocese, in the form of a statement that could be approved by "leaders of various faith communities and faith-based endeavors in the Province of British Columbia."

A Common Statement from Religious Leaders

As leaders of various faith communities and faith-based endeavors in the Province of British Columbia , we feel called to speak out publicly regarding principles basic to the rights of parents and children and the welfare of the family as an institution. These principles are not peculiar to any one faith or to people of faith only, but can be defended by rational argument and for centuries have been part of the ideals of our society. We call on government to recognize the rights of parents as they apply to public education in this province.

We affirm our common desire to ensure in the schools of British Columbia an atmosphere in which harassment or abuse directed at any student for any reason is not tolerated.

Parents must be recognized as the primary educators of their children (cf. Article 26, United Nations “Universal Declaration of Human Rights”).

Access to the means of influencing the development of curriculum for all subjects in British Columbia public schools should be equally open to parents and other interested citizens.

Government should respect the rights of parents to choose the option of alternative delivery of content in areas they judge to be sensitive.

Parents for Democracy in Education Society June 30/08

Subject: Opposition to revision of the School curriculum of BC.

Please read it all. We will try to be brief.

A “Common Statement From Religious Leaders” has been developed and is being submitted to all those organizations who are collaborating. We are asking for their formal endorsement. Many have already endorsed it. At the END of this newsletter you will find a copy of that statement.

2. On June 14/08 we had a meeting of the majority of organizations that are collaborating with

PDES. The purpose of the meeting was to “brainstorm” for future action. The guidance we

seek is from God Himself. This meeting was well led by my good friend

Graham Wray. He is our associate from Gibson, B.C. I am so very thankful for him.

3. I am very pleased to announce that a gentleman has joined PDES as my associate. The aim is for him to take over my role and continue the battle along with me. My limited energy resulted in a plea for help and Marc Gravelle responded enthusiastically. Marc can be reached by email mgravelle@shaw.ca

4. On June 28/08 Ted Hewlett and myself gave a presentation about the Corren Agreement,

to “Couples for Christ Pro-Life Conference”. (Ted Hewlett is president of BC Parents and Teachers for Life). It was well attended and our presentation was well received. It was held at the St. Monica’s Roman Catholic Church in Richmond , BC .

5. We are having meetings with the Sikh community led by Gurbachan Singh. They have a

very strong aversion to the teaching of the revised curriculum and are working with PDES to derail it.

6. On June 29/08 we had an excellent meeting with the Muslim community of BC. The

meeting was well attended with many questions being asked. They are solid in their

opposition to the teachings of the revised curriculum and they are now working with us at

PDES.

7. The Vancouver School Board has endorsed the new curriculum and plan to teach it.

The information we have received indicates they will not allow “opt-out”. As a matter of fact, a teacher by the name of Michael Ross has said “I will not ask any parent at any time for permission to teach their child about anything. If a parent doesn’t trust my professionalism or my knowledge of the curriculum, then by all means pull your child from my room and go the home school or private school route. Whatever!!”

8. The Abbotsford School District enquired about NOT teaching the revised curriculum. .

They were advised they MUST teach it.

9. PDES is planning protests at both, the legislative buildings in Victoria and at MLA’s constituency offices. We have been informed that protesting at individual constituency

offices is something that MLA’s do not like. Organizing this will take a lot of effort and

persuasion. We are trying to figure out dates to do this. We will advise you.

We want this to be done at every constituency office. Will you please help us find

the people who are willing to get involved? Also, find us people that are outside of your

area, perhaps friends who are spread all over the province.

In #1 above we told you we would give you a sample of the “Common Statement from Religious leaders”. Here it is:

1. As leaders of various faith communities and faith-based endeavors in the Province of B.C. , we feel called to speak out publically regarding principles basic to the rights of parents and children and the welfare of the family as an institution. These principles are not peculiar to any one faith or to people of faith only, but can be defended by rational argument and for centuries have been part of the ideals of our society. We call on government to recognize the rights of parents as they apply to public education in this province.

2. We affirm our common desire to ensure in the schools of B.C. an atmosphere in which harassment or abuse directed at any student for any reason is not tolerated.

3. Parents must be recognized as the primary educators of their children (cf. Article 16, United Nations “Universal Declaration of Human rights”).

4. Access to the means of influencing the development of curriculum for all subjects in B.C. public schools should be equally open to parents and other interested citizens.

5. Government should respect the rights of parents to choose the option of alternative delivery of content in areas they judge to be sensitive.

We end this newsletter with three comments.

---Please provide us with email addresses of people who should be concerned about the revision of the school curriculum.

---We have a DVD (6 minutes in length) that needs to be seen by every parent in BC. The cost of the DVD is $9.00.

---We have someone working on a website for PDES, but until we have more funds, this cannot be completed.

PARENTS FOR DEMOCRACY IN EDUCATION SOCIETY

Len Remple, President

British Columbia Parents and Teachers for Life is happy to carry the following petition on behalf of Parents for Democracy in Education. Please copy and past this into a separate document, taking care to copy only the petition (including its title). The petition sheets, after having been signed, should be sent to the address at the bottom of the sheet.

Petition to the Legislature of British Columbia

To the Honourable the Legislative Assembly of the Province of British Columbia, in
Legislature Assembled:
We, the undersigned petitioners respectfully request that the Honourable House enact legislation to
reassert that parents have the prime responsibility for the education of their children and to allow all citizens to
have rights to review changes affecting what is taught in the schools, with no special rights to private citizens
such as those conceded to in the Settlement Agreement with the Correns signed in April of 2006.