Blue Mountain embarrasses

Published: July 25th, 2007



In response to the letters in the Sentinel regarding Blue Mountain School. I am very pleased with the vote from the school board members to remove BMS from our South Lane School District .After researching more into what BMS has to offer students I do feel that there are children out in the community that would definitely benefit from an open learning environment but there needs to be some limitations and restrictions on this form of learning. If someone chooses to educate their child in a non-public school than I am sure all these parents are more than willing to pay for his or her child to attend . BMS should start a tuition program. No one to dictate how they want to do things. If it is parent sponsored than parents shouldn't have a problem paying the money to put their children a charter school. Parents who want there children to go to any form of religious schools have to pay for it and charter schools should be treated the same way. Students whether in a public school or charter school should be required to take tests and be required to have a certain GPA to graduate. At BMS school the parents, teachers and fellow students decide if someone is ready to graduate. Part of the whole reason we have structured schools is to teach children how to live in the world as an adult. In my whole adult life I have never been in a work situation when I get to learn at my own pace and do what I want all day long. I would imagine there aren't any colleges that way either. I have a supervisor and a very structured atmosphere. Something I learned how to deal with while I was in school. I feel there are students in this community and public schools that work hard through there years of high school and I feel that it is a unfair to them that while they are on campus all day long, there are other students in this district that are bringing their motorcycles to school and then getting to go ride them during school hours. What exactly are we teaching these kids? The answer to that is NOT freedom of learning. It is irresponsibility.

Another point I have to make is that we should be proud of our schools. There is not one thing about BMS that has made me proud to say that they are a part of our district.

Actually it has been more of an embarrassment. When this story ran in the Register Guard about how the students at BMS get to run around campus with paintball guns for fun. Well if our community becomes the next victim of a mass school shooting, all the out lying communities are going to say is that we brought it on ourselves. We won't have their support In a time of possible tragedy feel that we should be trying to prevent school shootings not promoting them. I realize that there is an appeal to this process and I hope this community comes together to prevent this school from becoming a part of this school district once again by showing their support at the school board meeting when it takes place. Watch the community calendar for the date and time.

Stephanie Parsons

Cottage Grove