My new Principal is bringing Young Life to our middle school.

[erinlough]

Any opinions on here about that program? The leader and his wife are former district students, never mind that his last wife was a teacher who found him in bed with the present wife, that is typical of these ministries. I only have a problem with the fact that they don't inform the parents of their child being involved. I wouldn't appreciate that as a parent, but then maybe I'm being old fashioned. Any experience you could share would help me to wrap my mind around this.

[villager]

1. as a parent, I'm wondering: Why the hell wouldn't they let parents know!?

They feel obliged to tell them about R-rated films being shown in class -- but not a visting ministry? (Is this a public school, btw?)

[grasswire]

2. young life has been around forever, but in school?

Used to be, in the days of yore when I was in high school, Young Life was a club that met in private homes in the evening, had camps, etc. It was the ultra popular kids with money who made it attractive to others. Very *in*.

Can't imagine it being "in" schools.

[LiberalEsto]

3. I was in YL back in the '60s

Our chapter was sponsored by a local Baptist church, but it seemed relatively non-denominational. We met in one another's homes. It was fun, and we did a lot of singing and skits.

From what I gather about the way it is today, I would not want any part of it. And in my opinion, this principal has no right to bring religion into a public school. Seems to me that it's unconstitutional.

[sinkingfeeling]

4. I would be contacting the ACLU. Nobody gets to preach any religion to my kids without my consent.

[roody]

5. sounds illegal, especially without parent consent

[vim876]

7. i think...

the way they get around that is that each chapter is theoretically an autonomous student-run group, rather than an outside group coming in and proselytizing to kids.

[erinlough]

6. There are chapters in every school in my area of MI

but they are usually in the High School. This is the first one I've seen in a middle school. Frankly I have 2 years to go and I'm not willing to say anything. The way Michigan has changed the tenure laws I have no protection and it is well know those of us with many years in will be the targets of Principals who want to cut costs. I'm not going to fight any battles that could be used against me. Such is the new reality in Michigan with the tea baggers/repubs in control.

[indurancevile]

8. It's religious. I thought that was against federal law.

[WAFS]

9. If this involved my children those involved would be getting a visit from me!

Religious activities have absolutely no place at a public school during school hours, and certainly not as a required class.