Right Mind : Logos

$14B auto bailout dies in Senate

Right-Mind — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 16:11:49 GMT

We’re asked to bailout an auto industry which pays its workers an average wage rate of over $70...(read more)

Knights Festival

Right-Mind — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 05:40:59 GMT

These three days are Logos School’s annual Knights Festival. Knight’s Fest consists of “good...(read more)

Right to life group to have march

Right-Mind — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 04:23:37 GMT

From the Daily News : The Moscow Chapter of Right to Life will sponsor a March for Life at 1 p.m. Saturday...(read more)

Cotillion helps kids feel like a million: Annual dance caps months of classes in dance, etiquette

Right-Mind — Sat, 13 Jan 2007 12:28:13 GMT

I got a kick out of the following story. Logos School has been doing this for well over a decade now;...(read more)

KQQQ Audio Report: Idaho Board of Tax Appeals Decides in Favor of NSA, Logos School, Christ Church, and the NuArt Theater

Right-Mind — Thu, 08 Jun 2006 16:12:16 GMT

KQQQ carried an audio report about the tax exemption decisions for NSA, Logos School, Christ Church,...(read more)

The Board of Tax Appeals rules favorably for NSA, Christ Church, and Logos School

Right-Mind — Sat, 03 Jun 2006 23:56:17 GMT

The Board of Tax Appeals has ruled regarding New St. Andrews, Christ Church, and Logos School. All of...(read more)

Idaho's Robert E. Lee Scholarship

Right-Mind — Sun, 28 May 2006 15:17:00 GMT

Update : It turns out that the Lewiston Tribune had a typo. The scholarship is really the "Robert R....(read more)

Correction

Right-Mind — Tue, 14 Mar 2006 00:50:00 GMT

The Daily News posted the correction in the paper today. The Web address in INK for more information...(read more)

Case Closed?

Right-Mind — Wed, 01 Mar 2006 02:20:00 GMT

Back on 8 April 2004, Rose Huskey wrote: Dale, please extend my congratulations to the Logos students...(read more)

Tax-Exemption Updates Going Smoothly; County Hopes All Properties Will Get Moving On Filing

Right-Mind — Fri, 17 Feb 2006 00:58:00 GMT

Some collateral damage from the Huskey-Lund jihad.

But collateral damage is OK as long as they take out the bunker.

As reported in today's edition of the Moscow-Pullman Daily News:

The county is updating its information to make sure it’s accurate by asking all tax-exempt properties the same questions. The new application form, which all tax-exempt properties in the county are required to complete by the summer, was approved by the county commissioners in November. About 80 of the 1,405 historically tax-exempt properties in the county already have applied. There are 1,162 government exemptions, 117 religious exemptions, 82 charitable exemptions, 36 cemetery and library exemptions and eight educational exemptions.
The forms, which ask for such information as proof of nonprofit status and about the use of the property, will completed this year. In following years, a shorter form will be completed, giving organizations the opportunity to update information.
Commissioners decided to revise the application process for tax exemptions after challenges in recent years regarding the tax-exempt status of Christ Church, New Saint Andrews College, Logos School and the Nuart Theatre properties. For consistency, the forms ask property owners about the use of the property, the mission statement of the owner or organization and for official federal documents proving nonprofit status.
“I think it’s going, overall, very smoothly,” said Pat Vaughan, county assessor. “I think everyone is pretty comfortable with the process.”
The assessor’s office has caught a few clerical changes that need to be made to the information they had, including name changes that had been made but not forwarded to the county.
Only one tax-exempt property has been determined to be ineligible for the status.
A church in the eastern part of the county had a parsonage on the property for the pastor that had been tax-exempt.

‘March for Life’ Announced in Moscow

Right-Mind — Fri, 20 Jan 2006 00:58:00 GMT

The Moscow Chapter of Right to Life will have a “March for Life” on Saturday.

The march will begin at 1 p.m. at the Logos School parking lot and end in Friendship Square in Moscow. The march is open to the public.

Aaron Ament's Comments on the "Android College"

Right-Mind — Tue, 13 Dec 2005 20:12:00 GMT

Here are Aaron Ament's opening remarks at the 5 Dec 2005 City Council legislative hearing. Pay particular attention to the disdain in which he says the word "schools".

Recall that Aaron Ament stated publicly that:

NSA students are "androids”
New Saint Andrews College is the "android college”
Doug Wilson is the fat "android in command.”
NSA is an "educational free zone".

Also, see my letter to the editor that Ament Must Recuse Himself.

Let me put forth two scenarios.

Suppose you had a city council member who routinely referred to blacks as n*****s ? Would you want him making decisions about a black college? Why or why not?
Let's say that Moscow elected a City Councilman who referred to Jews as "Kikes". Would we want someone like that making legislative decisions about a Jewish College in Moscow? Why or why not?

Ament is neither of these. But he has made significantly prejudicial comments publicly concerning New Saint Andrews: the students, the board of directors, the education the students receive, etc.

And for the same reason that I would argue that the two people in the scenario above should recuse themselves from making legislative decisions that they are grossly prejudicial towards, I argue the same when it comes to Ament making judicial decisions that will affect New Saint Andrews, Christ Church, Logos School, etc.

General R. Lee, Major Non-Issue, and Private L. School

Right-Mind — Mon, 12 Dec 2005 20:46:00 GMT

From Tom Garfield, Superintendent of Logos School

Dear Friends,

Greetings. Since a few folks have asked me about Dr. Nick Gier's latest diatribe (letter to the editor) regarding our school and a photo of one of our classrooms posted to Vision 2020, I would like to use this means to briefly give you "the rest of the story."

The photo was apparently taken about three or four years ago in our fourth grade room. At that time we were happy to have General Lee's portrait on loan from a teacher's husband. It appears that one very disgruntled mother at the time (not just due to the portrait's presence) took the photo for her own purposes.

In the intervening years we had to say good-bye to both the teacher and the portrait, but neither parting was due to unhappiness or complaints on anyone's part.

So, even though we don't have such a portrait currently (contrary to Dr.Gier's assertion), as I stated in my original letter to the editor, we would love to own one of this great man. We would be happy to hang it where we teach the students American history, as we do in fourth grade.

By the way, the photo also shows the print we have of General George Washington praying during the War for Independence. Another print depicts an actual event in which both Union and Confederate soldiers stopped fighting to witness a baptism, of all things! (Pardon my sarcasm, but I think I'm entitled to a bit considering the much ado about nothing.)

As for any Confederate flags, as I also stated in my letter, we do display them for teaching (as in "what we do"). Again, we are neither ashamed of that flag nor do we teach the children to particularly revere it in any way. Some local folks have mistakenly equated the Confederate flag with the Nazi swastika; that kind of thinking not only shows a great lack of historical understanding, it displays a profound and grievous lack of moral discernment!

Personally, I wish someone would notice all the Theodore Roosevelt stuff in my office and take offense at that! Actually, on a scriptural and historical basis, much as I admire TR, he would have to give deference (which he probably would) to a man as devoted to God and his fellow men as General Lee was.

I trust this helps, in case you were wondering. We stand by our teaching, and we love to teach about all good and great men. Feel free to pass this along to others.

(Isn't it quite amazing that something as innocuous as a picture of a godly man should incite such interest? Another indicator that the Christian life lived out in this world won't ever be boring!)

Merry Christmas! Please plan to attend the Logos Christmas program this Thursday evening at 7:00 in the gym!

Blessings,
Tom Garfield

Liberal Elite Must Get Over It

Right-Mind — Fri, 09 Dec 2005 23:47:00 GMT

A letter to the editor from John Moss in today's Moscow-Pullman Daily News:

My grandmother and grandfather resigned their membership from the League of Women Voters in their 49th year – despite the fact their membership from the 50th year on would be honorary and despite the fact that my grandfather had served as the president of the Maine LWV for years. Their reason was simply that the LWV had switched from being an active political organization to a group of people sitting around bitching.

I am concerned that Moscow’s liberal elite are in danger of the same error.
Let’s talk about the Civil War, shall we? That happened more than 100 years ago. Slavery is bad. But did it ever dawn on you that Lincoln first asked Robert E. Lee to be the general for the North?
Gee, I wonder if Washington & Lee University has a portrait of Robert E. Lee hanging in their great institution? Crud.
Right now, you can visit Lee’s home on the grounds of Arlington National Cemetery and have a government-funded park ranger tell you that Lee was a great man, leader, husband and father. Double crud.
Did Logos School, at some point, have a photo of Lee hanging in a classroom? Well, that’s a great debate topic that will really build our community.
Can we please stop the whining? Do something proactive. Hug a child. Organize an AIDS walk. Pick up a hitchhiker. Invite someone from a different ethnic background to dinner. Spend money at a non-Wal-Mart.
In reality, I think the truth is that some of you are running scared. There are few civil weapons more powerful than raising children, and your last ditch attempt at fighting a population quickly outnumbering yourselves is an effort to force them all to be educated the way you want.
There is another option. But it requires sex. Gross

ROTFL!!!

Bearing False Witness?

Right-Mind — Tue, 08 Nov 2005 01:51:00 GMT

The Mix charges me with bearing false witness (read: lying) about my candidate survey email.

Well, let's just walk down the list, shall we.

I wrote:

There are two candidates that are outspoken and adamant about getting NSA out of Moscow: Aaron Ament and Kit Crane.

Aaron Ament commented that NSA students are "androids," New Saint Andrews College is the "android college," and Doug Wilson is the fat "android in command."

http://right-mind.us/blogs/intolerista_island/archive/2005/10/01/37039.aspx

I stand by my Aaron Ament quotes. Those were publicly submitted.

Now, isn't that a nice person to be voting for -- calling students "androids". My, my. Only a liberal jihadist would wink/wink and nod/nod at such terms being directed at any student.

How about Kit Craine? Mix writes:

I have talked with Kit at length, and I have never heard her say anything – good, bad, or indifferent – about NSA, the Kirk, or any religious group.

Perhaps you should read the paper once in a while, Keely. This was in the Lewiston Tribune from 26 Oct 2005:

On one hot issue, the presence of New St. Andrew's College in downtown Moscow, Craine stands alone among the candidates. She said the college violates zoning ordinances and should be given three to five years to move. All other candidates interviewed by the Lewiston Tribune favor leaving the private college downtown, but advocate controlling its future growth and activities with conditional-use permits or zoning changes.

Perhaps you should ask Craine if the quote is accurate. I stand by what I wrote until you get a retraction from the Lewiston Tribune. But you don't have to read hard between the lines at Craine's site to see what she's up to.

Mix continues:

It is difficult to imagine why a religious organization that claims no political agenda would resort to duplicitous scare tactics in order to manipulate its membership, although it is, perhaps, easy to see why Christ Church would.

First, you have to make a distinction between a religious organization doing something and a member of an organization doing something. That email was from me and me alone.

Second, if you look at the score card (http://right-mind.us/2005CityCouncilQuestionnaire.htm) you will see that there is question #10: "Do you believe the recent legal complaints filed against NSA, Christ Church, Atlas School, and Logos School are intended to target a particular person or religious ideology?"

To that question, seven candidates answered with an unqualified "yes". Others had a qualified "yes."

It seems that Moscow's liberal jihadists are fooling themselves. They don't think that the rest of the town sees that Christ Church/ NSA/ Logos School/ NuArt/ Canon Press/ Atlas School/ St. Monica's/ ... have been targeted for ideological and bigoted reasons.

But that's OK. Keep your heads in the sand. The rest of the town knows what you are doing. And there will be a backlash in the polls tomorrow.

So, keely, I'd really recommend that you check your sources first before posting such a wacked-out perspective on Venom2020.

Then again, that is the purpose of V2020, isn't it.

The Tax Man Cometh

Right-Mind — Mon, 07 Nov 2005 19:38:00 GMT

I got my 2005 tax bill in the mail. Here's the breakdown (by percentage) for Moscow City residents:

Moscow School District: 46.5%
City of Moscow: 23.8%
Latah County: 20.79%
North Latah Highway: 5.9%
Library: 2.0%
Moscow Cemetery: 1.0%

Here's the question for the day: why does it cost twice as much to run a school system for under 2,400 kids as it does to run the entire City of Moscow?

I'll give you three guesses and the first two do not count.

Here's another interesting bit of trivia: the amount of my taxes that goes to MSD is more than I pay for either my third or fourth child to attend Logos School.

It really makes you wonder.

NSA Doesn't Own the Nuart

Right-Mind — Mon, 31 Oct 2005 14:14:00 GMT

From Eric Engerbretson in the 21 Oct 2005 Argonaut:

Dear Editor,

In Jon Ross' article, "Now showing: God" (Sept. 7), he lamented the "takeover" of beloved local movie theaters by churches.

Now, these statements are opinion, and that is fine. But, this editor then goes on to state that "The Nuart Theater building is owned by New Saint Andrews ... but this is old news." Old news is no different than new news, if it's false. This is much the way the Moscow religious crisis started--complete untruths being printed in newspapers.

With one simple phone call Mr. Ross could have found out that NSA has never owned the Nuart -- but, apparently, that would have been too much time to spend on research. The fact is, the Nuart was owned by Kenworthy Enterprises for decades, and two years ago it was bought by Community Christian Ministries.

CCM is a non-denominational ministry that has been offering free counseling and books and helping countless people in this community since 1972. CCM's board represents seven churches, and its stated goal is to be a unifying force among churches in Moscow. But Mr. Ross wants to paint with a broad and biased stroke so that those who have decided for whatever reason to hate NSA can now hate the Nuart. Yes, we offer our building to NSA once a week for a few hours, just like we offer it to a dozen other groups that use it, including UI.

Opinions abound in Moscow, praise God, but what starts crises are lies and rumors that inspire people to hate -- and falsehoods are more dangerous than ever when they are put in print by people who are supposed to be the public's watchdog.

Eric Engerbretson, The Nuart Theater

Eric, stating the facts to those whose minds are already made up won't make a hill of beans. They also think that Logos School and Atlas School are owned by Christ Church. Facts to the contrary haven't changed them from trumpeting that lie either.

Hit musical show comes to Logos School: ‘Seven Brides for Seven Brothers’ is school’s first musical production

Right-Mind — Thu, 27 Oct 2005 23:03:00 GMT

As reported in today's Moscow-Pullman Daily News:

By Laura Pierce, Daily News staff writer

Adam Pontipee is of courting age and he wants a wife. So the backwoods roughneck goes to town and marries a lass named Millie.

The couple returns to Adam’s home in the woods, and that’s when the trouble begins.
His six other brothers are itching to get hitched, too.
So goes the plot of “Seven Wives for Seven Brothers,” a 1954 MGM hit film that spawned a generation of stage productions.
Starting next week, the Logos School of Moscow will count itself on that list of venues.
As part of its 25th anniversary celebrations, the private Christian school will present the Americana musical Wednesday through Nov. 5 in its gymnasium. Curtain time is 7:30 p.m. and tickets are $6 for students, $8 for adults and $25 for families.
The musical, which features a cast of 32 actors, is one of the Logos School’s largest stage productions, according to director Donna Grauke.
“This is our first musical,” she added.
The cast is comprised mainly of students, although some Logos teachers will fill in as the older, married people in the storyline.
Taking on the challenge of the energetic play (which includes some high-powered dancing, along with the singing) is Logos School’s varsity drama team. Grauke acknowledged the production was demanding, but that her students were up for the challenge: “we have the talent.”
Plus, she said, she had plenty of male actors who wanted to be in a production this year, and “Seven Brides” fit the bill for a strong male head count.
“I like to do a production with as many students as possible,” she said. “And there are more than 16 young men in this production.”
According to several cast members, the most challenging aspect of the production was the singing.
“You feel like your voice is going nowhere,” student Daniel Ryan said, of how it felt to practice in the gymnasium before the sound equipment came in. Ryan plays one of the six Pontipee brothers in the play.
The other challenge, as far as singing goes, was picking the proper pitch out of a score involving multiple instruments.
“You don’t have just a piano playing,” said Brian Kohl, who plays another of the Pontipee brothers.
The acting cast also was involved in building sets, including extending the stage out in the Logos gym.
Tryouts for the play took place in May, and members got together once a week during the summer to work on their singing. When the school year began, practices started on a more regular note. The cast is now committing three to four hours a day, five days a week, to fine-tune their performances.
“Boy, I tell you, they have risen to the occasion,” said Grauke.
The event is open to the public and Grauke said they were expecting to see anywhere from 250 to 300 people per night. The proceeds, she added, will go toward covering the expensive of putting on the production, with any remainder going to the school’s drama program. Tickets are available at the door or in advance at the Logos School. For more information, call the school at (208) 882-1226.
Laura Pierce can be reached at (208) 882-5561, ext. 238 or by e-mail at lpierce@dnews.com.

Logos School Presents "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers"

Right-Mind — Mon, 24 Oct 2005 16:08:00 GMT

Logos School celebrates its 25th anniversary this year and is putting on one of the biggest productions in its history. Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, a classic two act musical full of dance and song, will be performed at Logos Gym starting Wednesday November 2nd through Saturday the 5th at 7:30 PM.

Set in the Oregon Territory of the late 1800's, Seven Brides is the story of the Pontipee brothers, seven backwoods farm boys whose idea of impressing a girl is offering her a chaw of tobacco. When the oldest brother, Adam, meets a hard working woman named Milly and convinces her to marry him, she takes it upon herself to find wives for all the brothers. Starring Heather Hagen as Milly and Justin Spencer as Adam. Directed by Donna Grauke, Seven Brides features over 14 musical numbers and choreographed dances. This is some great family entertainment.

Tickets are available for presale at Logos School, 110 Baker Street, or at the door; $6.00 for students, $8.00 for adults, and $25 for families.

For more information please contact Logos at 208-882-1226.

Panel Discussion On School Vouchers At UI Tuesday

Right-Mind — Sun, 16 Oct 2005 19:32:00 GMT

The University of Idaho Economics Club will present a panel discussion on school vouchers at 7:15 p.m. Tuesday in the UI Law School Courtroom on the Moscow campus.

Panel members will include Jack Wenders, UI professor of economics; Sherri Wood, president of the Idaho Education Association; Peni Cyr, president of the Moscow Education Association; and Tom Garfield, superintendent of Logos School.

HT: Jack Wenders

Moscow National Merit Semi-Finalists

Right-Mind — Thu, 13 Oct 2005 02:35:00 GMT

There are a total of eight (8) National Merit Semi-Finalists in Moscow this year.

Logos School: 4
Moscow High: 2
Montrose School: 1
Homeschool: 1

The National Semi-Finalists from Logos School are:

Caleb Bouma
Heather Hagen
Sheffield Leithart
Laurel McGarry

I don't have the names for the other four semi-finalists yet.

Congratulations to all eight. Well done!

It’S About Picking Targets, Not Finding Them

Right-Mind — Thu, 13 Oct 2005 01:14:00 GMT

I tell you what, the Moscow-Pullman Daily News is on a major roll tonight!

Michael O'Neal writes his final Town Crier article. And a doozie it is!

Here's an extract:

The Palouse is what the military fly-boys call a target-rich environment, promiscuous with Birkenstock liberals, blowhard intellectuals, and self-styled activists eager to expose themselves to fire by saying and writing foolish things.

No, my friends, the problem is not finding targets. It’s picking one.
The military metaphor is particularly apt in light of a recent column by one of the Town Crier brethren, who issued an appeal that the Palouse not descend into a “culture war.”
So what does he do? He picks a fight. Like a Knight of Olde, he dons his chain mail, buckles on his cuirass and sword, mounts his (high) horse, and sets out to do battle with the villainous Sir Douglas Wilson, whose first step when he secures the perimeter of downtown Moscow, we’re led to believe, will be to install separate drinking fountains and restore the good old days of Jim Crow.
One has no quarrel with anyone’s desire to skirmish with Wilson in serious debate. The key word is “serious,” which implies some minimal regard for the truth. But a defining characteristic of your Birkenstock liberal is that the truth is something that’s easily outflanked. Under his rules of engagement, you can say anything you want as long as it supports the liberal faith. And so we have the spectacle of a Town Crier making irresponsible (not to mention tired) allegations about Sir Douglas and the legal process by which New St. Andrews established its firebase in downtown Moscow, all without the slightest regard for the truth.
Sadly, this kind of intellectual dishonesty is rife in the Moscow-Pullman theater. A woman once told me that she was “boycotting” Logos school. She doesn’t have any kids. Others tell me that they boycott a downtown Moscow coffeehouse with loose Christ Church ties because “it refuses to serve gays”—a preposterous untruth given that the coffeehouse’s gay customers are always out of uniform and refuse to wear their insignia.
Ironically, I was in said coffeehouse one day (I always make it a point to patronize the place when someone mentions the boycott, and it’s getting damned expensive I can tell you). Curious, I sought a Bible among the establishment’s many books. I found one—I swear this is true—underneath a copy of the complete works of Oscar Wilde—poet, playwright, and notorious devotee of “the love that dare not speak its name.”

You will want to read the entire article where he discusses that the WSU Human Rights Commission found no evidence of systematic racism at WSU.

It's just a bang-up article.

Finally, people in Moscow are waking up to the Intolerista/liberal jihadist threat to their own rights.

School Voucher Plan Tucked into Katrina Bill

Right-Mind — Sun, 02 Oct 2005 07:00:00 GMT

Via Joshua Claybourn

"Buried in what might eventually total $200 billion in federal spending for Hurricane Katrina is $488 million for what would be the nation's largest school voucher program," the Palm Beach Post reports.

"The proposal, which to this point is formalized only to the level of a few paragraphs in a press release, would give families displaced by the storm as much as $7,500 per child to spend on a private school, including a religious school, for the coming year."

$7,500 per child? You can buy one hell of a private education for that kind of money!

The two best private schools in Idaho are well below that. It costs $6,800 to educate a child at Bishop Kelly (Boise); and $4,020 at Logos School (before family discounts).

What will be interesting to see is how the parents who take the $7,500 option will react the following year. This could be just the hook that's needed to push for educational choice; and for parents to see how much more they can get for their educational dollars elsewhere.

Commended Student in the National Merit Scholarship Competition

Right-Mind — Mon, 26 Sep 2005 16:34:00 GMT

Congratulations to Logos student Seth Bloomsburg, who was named as a Commended Student in the National Merit Scholarship competition!

Recall who some of the local National Merit Semi-Finalists were. From Logos School:

Caleb Bouma

Heather Hagen

Laurel McGarry

Sheffield Leithart!

From the homeschool community:

Jessica Bauer

Mary Katherine Qualls

Again -- congratulations to all.

Caught In The Crossfire Of A Cockeyed Culture War

Right-Mind — Fri, 23 Sep 2005 11:39:00 GMT

Jim Fisher writes the following editorial in the 19 Sept 2005 edition of the Lewiston Morning Tribune:

If anyone connected to the injurious jihad some purported liberals in Moscow are waging against the New St. Andrews College/Logos School/Christ Church community would like to close the city's alternative high school, it is the targets. The school housed in a former Circle K store on the town's south end is what they call a "government school," given to secular instruction and undeserving of tax dollars.

It isn't they who have caused City Hall to order the school vacated, however. It is the self-appointed promoters of tolerance -- of all things left of center.

When some Moscowans hired a lawyer to seek tighter enforcement of the city's zoning restrictions, the bulls-eye in their sights was New St. Andrews, which the city had permitted to rescue an abandoned building in the heart of downtown's business district. What they hit was Paradise Creek Regional Alternative High School.

The school, leased for $1 a year from altruistic dentist Gerald Weitz, lies in a neighborhood business zone. The zone's permitted uses do not include such a school

The Sunset Mart combination gas station, convenience store and fast food joint across the street? Perfectly acceptable.

Big apartment buildings towering over the small school building? No problem.

Small classrooms hoping to reach kids who otherwise might personify lost opportunities? No way.

So the Moscow School District is now spending tax dollars to appeal the order from a city government financed by the same people's tax dollars to try to prevent the denial of education to some of the city's children at the beginning of a school year.

That is a scandal, one that should embarrass every supporter of education in Moscow's education-minded community.

But it is not an incorrigible one. City council members enact zoning ordinances, and city council members can change zoning ordinances. If that cannot be done overnight, surely something can be done in time to end this foolishness.

If it cannot, the anti-New St. Andrews jihadists will have accomplished something of which no proponent of private or home education has yet been able to boast: the closure of a government school.

As I've said before (The Worst of Both Sides): for the liberal jihadists (aka, Intoleristas), the Alternative School is acceptable collateral damage in their war against NSA/CC/Logos/etc.

Jim Fisher--a classical liberal--sees clearly that Moscow's Intoleristas are no liberals (he calls them "purported liberals"). You can come up with your own term for them. But "liberal" does not fit. "Liberal Jihadists" does come close.

Exams Measure More Than Academics; Economics And Individual Factors Influence Results

Right-Mind — Wed, 14 Sep 2005 05:31:00 GMT

As reported in Saturday's Moscow-Pullman Daily News:

Although economic factors may influence exam results on average, they do not dictate how individual students can perform, said the superintendent of Logos School in Moscow.

Logos is a private Christian school with 240 students, teaching a curriculum focused on ancient languages and the Christian tradition.

The school chooses not to give the ISAT, but its students take a minimum of two types of standardized exams at different points in their careers.

“We have children coming to us from every walk of life, the children of professionals to the children of janitors. We work with families to make it financially possible for all kids to attend,” said Superintendent Tom Garfield. “Last year our average student was at the 86th percentile of the ACT (college entrance exam) .... and I don’t see real economic effects here at Logos. ... But it is true we have committed parents.”

And here is the rub -- what is more important: how large a paycheck a parent brings home? Or how involved the parents are involved in the education of their child?

There can be no doubt that there is a strong correlation (98.2%) between family income and SAT scores (see below). But there is an even stronger correlation (99.00%) between the highest level of the parents' education and the SAT results.

I think that Garfield is correct in this matter on the micro-level. What is really important for the educational success of an individual child is the involvement of the parents in the education of their child. If they see the school as a dumping point, their kids will likely not be as well educated as a child with a parent who is involved in the entire educational process.

However, on a macro-level, we can see that there is a strong correlation between the family income and SAT performance; and between the parents' level of education and the child's SAT performance.

Why do you think this is? Is it a fault of what the SAT tests? For instance -- would there be a similar trend between kids who pass their driver's test the first time and the family's income level?

One final thing to note: correlation ≠ causation. So just because SAT score goes up as family income goes up does not mean that the family income is the cause. A researcher would have to disprove all other possible causes before arriving at that conclusion.

Education is Topic of Forum

Right-Mind — Sun, 11 Sep 2005 01:56:00 GMT

As reported in today's Moscow-Pullman Daily News:

Education will be the topic of the Moscow Chamber of Commerce's next forum, scheduled for noon Wednesday at the Best Western University Inn. Representatives from the Idaho State Board of Education will be on hand to discuss new testing requirements for junior- and senior-high school students in Idaho. in addition, Mary Lang of the Moscow Charter School will discuss her recent book titled "How to Choose a School," and what parents should look for when considering a school for their children.

Plus, University of Idaho officials will discuss UI's current enrollment numbers.

Also speaking will be Logos School Superintendent Tom Garfield, outlining his school's 25 years on the Palouse.

The cost to attend the forum is $10.

Should be well worth attending.

Some People Don’t Mind NSA

Right-Mind — Sat, 20 Aug 2005 03:06:00 GMT

As reported in today's Moscow-Pullman Daily News:

Some people don’t mind NSA

The Aug. 11 article titled “Public takes issue with NSA,” gives the impression that all the public and residents of Moscow are unhappy with the New Saint Andrews College occupying space downtown.

I am a resident and a member of the public. I and many others of like mind are delighted to have NSA right where it is.

The college is a strong asset to the downtown area. The faculty, staff and students are responsible for preserving and renovating the beautiful old building that houses them.

The college brings fine, polite, well-behaved young people to the downtown area.

What other businesses would be preferred to occupy this building? How about another tattoo parlor, or perhaps another bar or, yes, how about an adult video store? That would bring diversity in to the area.

As for those who are so intent on harassing NSA, Doug Wilson and Christ Church, perhaps they could find a better use of their time, emotional energy and ink.

There are many projects that could use their imagination and persistence to help improve the ambiance and image of our very special city.

When the Moscow Planning and Zoning Commission meets again, I hope the members keep in mind that the squeaky wheel does not represent the entire vehicle.

Jody Miller, Moscow

Brave move, Jody. When anyone has expressed support publicly for NSA/Christ Church/Logos School/etc, they have come under vilification and attack.

I appreciate your courage to speak out publicly what many, many Moscowans only express privately. Of course, if you made a decision based on how many people turned out at City Council and P&Z meetings, you would find that same 30 people...

Oh, and for what it's worth -- Joan Opyr did say on the very first Carl & Joan show that she was looking forward to a tattoo parlor moving into the Verizon building when NSA was kicked out. Now there's an Intolerista's vision for Moscow.

Commission Denounces Attack on NSA

Right-Mind — Sat, 20 Aug 2005 02:42:00 GMT

As reported in today's Moscow-Pullman Daily News:

Commission denounces attack on NSA

By Kate Baldwin, Daily News staff writer

The Moscow Human Rights Commission is supporting New Saint Andrews College in the wake of harassment the college experienced this week.

On Wednesday morning, NSA students, staff and faculty were greeted by the residue of a chalked message, “Hitler Youth.” Earlier that morning a janitor had found the message and attempted to remove it from the sidewalk outside the building’s student commons entrance.

While the chalked message fell short of the legal definition of vandalism, NSA President Roy Atwood said, “It doesn’t have to fit technical, legal categories to merit our attention and concern.”

Atwood notified the Moscow Human Rights commission of the incident at the group’s Wednesday meeting. Atwood asked the commission to “denounce in no uncertain terms these ongoing slanders, stereotyping, religious harassment, discrimination and acts of vandalism directed against the College, Christ Church, Logos School, and individuals associated with these religiously based organizations.”

“As this commission well knows, we have been and continue to be targeted by extremists because of our religious beliefs,” Atwood said in his letter to the commission.

While at the meeting, Atwood said, commission members offered a quick response by making a motion to draft a response and disseminate it. He said the commission asked if he had any suggestions for recourse, but he only requested their public support.

By Thursday afternoon, the commission released a statement that outlined its “unequivocal condemnation of this act of vandalism,” according to verbage from the statement. The commission’s statement also noted the vandalism “does not reflect the aspirations of the Moscow Human Rights commission and is absolutely contradictory to an environment of constructive civil discourse.”

This comment about “contradictory to an environment of constructive civil discourse” is a repeating theme. Even the Daily News Editorial Board picked up on it. See the next post.

Shakespeare in the Park: Midsummer Night's Dream

Right-Mind — Tue, 09 Aug 2005 07:22:00 GMT

I mentioned before about Shakespeare in the Park: Midsummer Night's Dream. Tonight was the actual performance. It was great!

The cast was quite young. There was one person over 30. Everyone else was junior high/high school age or recent college graduates.

It was directed by Jim Nance (of Logos School).

Mark Reagan wrote the music for the performance and directed the orchestra. I don't know when he has time to compose all the music he does, direct all the choirs and orchestras, and teach at NSA as well. He's really amazing.

I was amazed at what Jim Nance pulled out of them. Something about all that rhetoric training makes for excellent thespians.

The roped-off area in the park was packed. It appeared to me that nearly everyone who went to the Feast also went to the play tonight. I hope to have attendance numbers for you tomorrow. There were also many people in attendance who were not with the Trinity Fest. It was nice to see some other Moscowans showing up for the festivities. They may realize that the the Trinity Fest attendees are not the orks that the Intoleristas paint them out to be.