THE OPEN BOOK

F reedom To Learn had its first oportunity to take its message directly to a school board. On August 12, the organization gave a 20 minute presentation to the Board of Charlotte County schools. Five members from FTL were involved. "Overall, the evening was very positive," said John Beasley, President of the organization.

After Casey, "the people had a say," said Beasley. Openness was the theme used to describe the new organization. "It is reflected in our name, Freedom to Learn, and our logo, the open book, and our guiding phrase, "Learning only occurs with an open book." He went on: "we believe in open dialogue; we oppose censorship."

Ray Fiedler, Vice-President, asked School Board Members if there were too many abortions. "One every twenty seconds, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year is too many, asserted Fiedler." Al Marks quoted from the actual decision. Joseph Jolin, Board Member and Director of the group's website, reported on efforts the group is making to spread their message. Jolin focused on the creation of the groups website. "Visit us at www.freedomtolearn.org," said Joseph. "You will find that the site can be used by high school kids, college students and educators."

Susan Dragonette encouraged the Board to consider doing what the Supreme Court recommends. "We can create a curriculum that supports the principle of informed choice, and one that promotes childbirth over abortion." The Charlotte Sun indicated that the Board was considering evaluating the curriculum.

Selected quotes from the decision that were presented to the school board:

''We think it beyond dispute that a State has a strong and legitimate interest in the welfare of its young citizens, whose immaturity, inexperience, and lack of judgment may sometimes impair their ability to exercise their rights wisely.''

Note: this is common sense, but for one generation it was ridiculed.

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Purpose :
Approximately 37 million abortions have occurred since the Roe V. Wade decision of 1973. Over 90% of these were sought for reasons of convenience. The loss of all of the unborn should not be forgotten. In addition, many women have experienced genuine and prolonged grief because of the abortion event. That pain should not be forgotten It is time that the pain and the loss be acknowledged and remembered. That is the purpose of the WEEK OF REMEMBRANCE.
"Lest their pain and loss not be forgotten...we shall remember".

KIDS BOMBARDING THE WEB
NetDay, created by President Clinton, is bombarding Internet. Results: an estimated 500,000 volunteers in 40 states already; more than 40,000 school kids from kindergarten through high school have been wired in and are ready to explode. They are all eager to "connect with the other kids" as school opens this fall. How exciting !

Yes, and did you know statistics show that by the year 2000, nearly a third of all new jobs will require computer skills ? So don't just drag along. Get on the bandwagon ! Less you be left behind in the unemployment lines.

In fact, NetDay is making history. Larry Irving, Administrator of the U.S. Department of Commerce's national Telecommunications and Information Administration, said recently "... this is going to be one of the most important contributions to the future of American schools."

Everybody has to get involved - students as well as educators - less they miss out on distance learning... and access on to the latest research materials and other electronics communications capabilities that man has ever seen.

Freedom To Learn endorses NetDay and is in communication with every educational institution in Florida who participate. Because, after all, Freedom To Learn is dedicated to encourage and educate the children of our nation.

- Please get involved and help connect our future to their future.

LEE COUNTY TEACHER'S LUNCHEON A HIT !


If any event can demonstrate that quality is more important that quantity, it was the teacher's luncheon in northern Lee County. At noon, time to start, Joseph Jolin, website director, announced to a collected handful that "it has been called off because of rain."

Actually, it was sunny outside, but there were no teachers inside. "We knew the turnout would be small", said John Beasley, President. "We only mailed to twenty teachers."

As it turned out, a few teachers and administrators came in late. These few may do more than several dozen. Laurie Fabick began the presentation by discussing her consulting service. Laurie goes into elementary schools with wonderful pictures and videos of the pre-born child. "Kids get really excited," said Laurie.

After hearing the FTL message, those present were excited. One administrator plans to have FTL come to his school. "I hope every one of my teachers joins Florida Teachers for Life," he said. And then he turned to our website director and said that all of Lee and Charlotte should hear about FTL. "I mean about this outstanding work you people are doing," he went on to say.

Another comment went something like, "With all of the work that has been done here, teachers in the area have to have the opportunity to understand what is now possible."

Joseph Jolin said, "It turned out to be a success, but we plan to send an invitation to every teacher in Lee County next time." Hope the results will be as good.

Dear Mom and Dad,

I am writing to you from Heaven's baby nursery. It has been one week since I was aborted, but I have been doing a lot of thinking.

I relize that you had a difficult choice to make. Oh, how I wish you had chosen life - my life. I know that I would have cherished all that life has to offer. Heaven is wonderful, but I would have enjoyed sharing my life with you on earth.

• I will never SEE a beautiful sunrise.
  You'll never wipe the tears from my eyes.
• I will never SMELL the lovely spring flowers.
  You'll never spend time with me, not minutes, not hours.
• I will never FEEL the touch of your hand.
  You'll never play with me in the ocean or sand.
• I will never TASTE chocolate cake.
  Why was it my life you chose to take ?
• I will never HEAR the sound of your voice.
  You will have to live with your choice.

Mom and Dad, I am happy with Jesus in Heaven. I am sad when I think of the things I will never be able to see, smell, feel, tast, and hear with you. Abortion dose not make sense.

You never know from where or when arises the opportunity to spread the "good news" of the Casey Decision. Nearly a year ago I met a retired school superintendent from Ohio. I didn't get to know him well, but, he seemed like an action person who got things done. Last week FTL did a presentation to the Charlotte County School Board with subsequent article in the local paper. No sooner was the ink dry than I received a call from this retired super asking for everything we had about the Casey Decision so he could get the news to Ohio. We sent it and I have a feeling it's on it's way to Ohio already. He was excited and anxious to share the news with his Ohio colleagues We're excited too.

Over the last few years I've heard about it being suggested to teachers that they not touch students lest anyone misinterpret their actions. It's a shame because for many kids, teacher is the one person they have reamed they can trust in what has become for many a very impersonal world.

Fortunately there are other ways teachers can touch kids lives. By learning how to implement the good news of the Casey Decision, teachers can touch today and all the tomorrows of the students in their care. FTL has created LINKS TO CHANGE, which gives answers to questions as well as suggestions about how to be part of the change that must come. After all, this change has the force of law behind it. Now teachers can be part of changing history and creating a new U.S.A. for their students to lead some day.