☀️A Functional Sun
☀️A Functional Sun
Friday, September 8 - 2023 Week 36
Can you feel it? Your copy of the Sun has arrived.
☀️On the Value of Homeschooling - or - Parents, What’s Your Function?
Homeschooling rocks. So does Schoolhouse Rock, but that is different. Parents taking responsibility to educate their kids is winning for generations.
I do offer this proviso: I am not homeschooling my kids. In fact, I helped start a private school, and tried to convince other parents to join in that project. We just started our twelfth year, with students in K-12, and I wouldn’t change anything. I love what our kids are getting in class and via the school culture.
But we did homeschool our oldest for her first four years. This means we can make jokes about pajamas and “field trips” in denim jumpers to the supermarket with kitchen table cred. In fact, my wife was homeschooled in CA when it was illegal. She is one of the most curious and sneaky smart people I know. When we got married I assumed that she’d be homeschooling however many kids the Lord gave us, and I was excited about her doing so. As we learned more, though, we realized that our vision for what education could be didn’t match our ability to provide it. So as I said, we joined forces with a few other families and asked the Lord to multiply our few loaves and fishes.
With all that said, I still think homeschooling rocks. And there has never been a better time in history for it. There have been times when it was more necessary, as in, the only option. But these days Amazon will bring you whatever book you want in 24 hours and drop it off on your front steps. We’ve got multiple translations of the classics and more access to copies in the original languges. There are homeschooling conferences and and local co-ops and entire curriculums. The internet opens up digital doors for museums and history and tutors that even the most wealthy couldn’t collect in one lifetime.
Plus parents who are willing to invest so directly teach their kids to take responsibility for what’s important without words. Their example is a lesson. Everything parents do is teaching, one way or another, and what a great encouragement for a kid to know he’s wanted, loved, and valuable enough to be trained. The world, and our city, need more of that.
This isn’t to say that homeschooling has no issues. Parents who keep their kids tucked away from the world motivated mostly by fear will probably see an increase in household anxiety. All schooling, especially at home, has way more ground to cover than to seek cover from. Opponents of homeschooling like to talk about the social awkwardness and even backwardness of these “isolated” kids, but that sounds like the dumbest accusation from those who won’t stand up against chemical castration and all the propaganda for gender dysphoria. Please.
If your kid is in a class where the teacher values the history of the Pride flag more than the Confederate flag, get him out, asap. If your kid has a teacher who views you, the parent, as the enemy, get him out, asap. If your kid comes home with questions about whether he was really meant to be a girl, tell him NO!, and get him out, yesterday.
And to all those committed parents, pouring another cup of coffee to work through another set of math facts worksheets, drink your liquid energy with joy and keep going. May the Lord bless your work.
So what are your kids learning today? How are you helping them be ready and stronger for the days to come? What can you give them so that they can take over for you at the right time?
☀️Sunset at Qwuloolt Estuary
Mark James is a longtime Marysville resident, businessman, and city Councilman. Last weekend he took some photos of Sunset at Qwuloolt Estuary (within the Marysville city limits) and posted them on his personal Facebook page here. He gave the Sun permission to share his work.
There are a few more photos along with some captions on Facebook. Again, great captures and thank you, Mr. James!
☀️Upcoming Events
Touch-a-Truck - tomorrow, September 9, 10:00am to 1:00pm at Asbury Field. See the city’s webpage for more info on this event.
September 11 Remembrance - Monday, 8:30am at the Civic Center. “Marysville Fire District, Marysville Professional Firefighters/IAFF Local 3219, Marysville Police Department and the City of Marysville will hold a public ceremony marking 22 years since the Sept. 11 attacks.” See more info from the city’s announcement here.
☀️Friday Fun
In honor of the start of the school:
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