Human Interest

Editor’s note: The following is a lightly edited transcription of an interview Libertas Institute conducted with a Utah mother of three whose parental rights have been violated by the judicial system. The comments in this interview do not necessarily reflect the views of Libertas Institute.

Libertas Institute: Can you tell us a little about yourself?

Box Elder County--For an abuse child, it can be difficult to find things to be happy about. Their world can be a scary, sad place and it is hard to restore the child’s sense of safety and well-being. Thanks to Bikers Against Child Abuse (B.A.C.A) some abused children can return to their lives feeling safer and happier.

In 2013 the Utah Legislature mandated parental review of SAGE test questions and established what is now called the SAGE Parent Review Committee. It was a response to concerns that the computer adaptive tests could include biases or agendas that are objectionable to Utah family values.

Email from Molly Foster (written to the other members of the 15-parent committee to review SAGE test questions)

… In the spring when I was made aware of the USOE putting words in my mouth I contacted Judy Park several times, through email and phone messages to no avail until I sent a more honest email to her one day, she immediately responded. I will enclose our emailed conversation.

UTAH- Common Core has been the source of much concern for parents in Utah State. The Utah State Department of Education has gone to a lot of work and expense to ease the minds of concerned parents, citing results of a 15 parent review committee

Is Utah a “State of Grace?” Judging from the interest in fine arts, music, theater, ballet, symphony, and other forms of entertainment, the answer is yes—at least in the secular sense. You can make a case that this is true also in the religious sense with Salt Lake City being headquarters of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and with strong representation in most other religions. The word ‘grace’ has several meanings both in religion and secular applications.

3 or 4 pounds boneless thick-cut country style pork ribs

2 T olive oil

1 t seasoned salt

1/2 large onion, sliced (I like to sauté the onion slices before I put them on the meat)

Optional Home-made Sauce (make this or simply use your favorite brand of BBQ sauce- I like Sweet Baby Ray's)

1 c ketchup

1/4 c Worcestershire sauce

1 t chili powder

2 dashes red pepper sauce

2 c water

Directions:

              Green Acres Elementary—Jayna Frost finds herself during just her 2nd year teaching at Green Acres, and already she is working as the coach of the brand new Robotics team.  She says everything is new and they are all learning as they go.  She adds, "We couldn't do it without the 7 volunteer coaches!" 

Seeing as I am a woman, it so happens that guilt and I are tight.  Too tight.  Like—I can't breathe sometimes—tight.  I don't know why it is that some of us, and women seem to have the corner on the market, let guilt ruin way too much of our potential happiness, without availing ourselves of the Potential Positive Points of guilt.  Yes, you read that right, there is such a thing as what I call 'Positive Guilt.'  More on that later.

Lomond View Elementary—I arrived at the school ready to observe a class taught by the brand new music teacher, Daniel White.  I made my way through the 55-year-old maze of classrooms to arrive at the far end of the school next to Alan Rhees' 6th grade class.  Daniel White met me at the door with a grin and a welcome that immediately made me feel right at home.  I quietly took a seat in the back of the classroom and watched as he skillfully slipped into a review of the last lesson he had taught the class.  I was impressed with the ease with which these 11 and 12-year-olds popped off answers