September 13, 2007

Sign Up for Music Classes The top finalists in the 2007 Scripps National Spelling Bee were all accomplished musicians.

• Taking music lessons usually takes strong parent promotion to practice and stay the course.
• Music not only benefits the performer, but in can greatly bless others and the Lord.
• We have two tremendous music teachers.  Let’s take every advantage of their presence at New Hope for class instruction as well as for private lessons.

Moms In Touch  This vital mothers’ prayer time is scheduled for each Wednesday, 8:00 – 9:00 a.m., meeting in room 6.

Emergency Data Forms & Parent Volunteer Forms  Please turn these forms into the office.  We missed putting our Auction on the list, so include this if you can assist in the basic organizing.

Lunch Assistance Needed  Assistance is still needed for this beneficial program.  Please contact Gretchen York if you can assist one or more lunch hours/week. (home phone is 474-7341 or school 476-4588).

Classroom Parent Assistants

We have great help in a number of classes.

NEEDED:  Parent or grandparent help in grades – Jr. K, 5^th, and 6^th grades.

Dear Parents & Grandparents,

The 10 Commandments of God are a wonderful guide to life.  Not easy to obey!

In addition to those, here are some practical suggests we can follow in raising children:

v     As soon as a child can talk, teach him/her to pray.  Pray for them and with them.

v     Hug them often.

v     “Show and tell” your love for them.

v     Teach them early that “No” means No!  Don’t give in.

v     Teach them respect and obedience to all authority.

v     Give them nothing they cry for. Give them what is good for them if they ask politely.

v     Help them learn early what is good and what is bad for them.

v     Reward the “good” always.  Discipline the “bad” always (Discipline does not mean punishment).

v     Expect “Please” and “Thank you” responses.

v     Never break a promise.

v     Show them, by example, the importance of reading God’s Word and obeying it.

It’s great to be their friend and buddy, but when they are growing up, they need a leader—YOU.  Remember: Someday you will be held accountable.

                          From “Grandpa” Lloyd Sleeper

The Maple Floor Installers Have Arrived to Start Their Work

After much HARD prep work, mostly completed, we were gratified to see the “real professionals” arrive.  Thanks to those of you who have worked so many hard long hours!!

ACSI Opposes Passage of H.R. 2015 The Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA)

ENDA would prohibit employers from making employment decisions—such as hiring, promotions and firing--based on an individual’s "actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity." Such acts would be considered crimes subject to severe penalties. The term "gender identity" is incredibly broad and is defined to include "appearance, mannerisms, or other gender-related characteristics of an individual."

ENDA claims to provide an exception for religious organizations. In reality, it would drastically limit the existing exemption provided in current civil rights law known as Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act which grants a full exemption for religious entities. This allows a religious entity to make labor decisions based on religious criteria. The organization doesn’t have to violate its religious convictions when making such decisions. That exemption was unanimously upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court in the 1987 case Bishop v. Amos. The Court reaffirmed and clarified that all categories of employment in a religious entity were considered religious.

But H.R. 2015 (ENDA) would limit the religious exemption to organizations whose primary purpose is "religious ritual or worship or the teaching or spreading of religious doctrine or belief"—drastically narrowing the long-held religious exemption. P-12 Christian schools and Christian colleges could also lose their religious hiring rights under ENDA for the employment "categories" on their campuses that the government chooses to view as "non-religious" in nature. ENDA’s wording could also mean that religious daycares, religious summer camps, and even the Boy Scouts would not be allowed to consider sexual orientation or gender identity in their hiring decisions.

ACSI is opposed to ENDA’s convoluted and limited religious exemption. It urges members of the House Education and Labor Committee and the whole House to protect the religious exemption of Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act.

ACTION:  Contact your U.S. Representative immediately and ask that s/he oppose H.R. 2015 and its inadequate religious exemption language. Call the U.S. Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121. Give your Zip Code and ask to be connected with your Representative. Please remember that courtesy counts a lot! Thanks!

FURTHER ACTION: Please distribute this email to staff, concerned parents, and local churches.

From:              Dr. John Holmes, ACSI Director of Government Affairs
Date:               September 11, 2007