Hanna 0:02
Welcome back to the parents rights and education podcast. We are a grassroots movement of millions of parents and allies standing together, speaking as one to protect children and ensure parents crucial role in their child's education is protected. We come alongside millions of parents and allies and equip them to stand up for their rights by free trainings, membership and community support. You can join this movement for free by visiting parents rights and education.com. And hey, if you love the work that we're doing, please leave us a five star review. Your review helps us get out our message and allows us to keep advocating for parents REITs. Thanks so much for being here. Let's get into today's topic.
Suzanne Gallagher 0:40
Hey, it's great to be back with you. Listen, let's start with the upcoming events. I'll be speaking at the Great Northwest Awakening on Saturday, October 21. That's right around the corner in Richfield Washington. Be sure you get your tickets now. And what about our parents rights in education, Zoom calls every other Monday, get updates from national and meet others across the country. NEXT CALL is Monday, September 11. And please, please, please don't miss the free Parents Rights in Education, Zoom calls happening every Saturday. Now these are training calls. And right now the topic is how to win, how to win your school board election. So for more information on these and other events, check out our website, parents rising education.com, go to the homepage and scroll down to events. So today we're talking about back to school. Oh my goodness, probably my whole adult life. I've been hearing that phrase back to school back to school. Well, now is a perfect time to start a pre affiliate in your school district. We need affiliates in every single school district. These folks are your points of contact. So this is how it works. Guys, first become a member of Parents Rights in Education by filling out the form located under the parents at at top menu option, it's right at the top. And if you're already a member, Hey, make sure you go to that membership and and update it. Because there's some new stuff there you need to access. All of the affiliate groups are listed there. And you can select which local group you would like to join. Now if there's no affiliate in your school district, what do you think I'm going to tell you next? Well consider becoming one. It is simple. All you need to do is fill out the start and affiliate form located under the leadership taught menu option. We will contact you with more information. And by the way, I just want to let you know you don't have to hold big meetings every month. You know, we're not holding your hand every step of the way. We're here to support you. Okay, second thing I don't want to forget to make sure that you know you're invited to join Club 12 by 12. Now that means that you are making a $12 contribution every month to support our cause. In addition to the benefits everybody who commits to club 12 by 12 will receive swag. That's a lapel pin featuring our parent child icon it ends here, a six inch car sticker in a 12 by 18 niche it ends here flag. Those who give more are members to
Hanna 3:25
Hey parents and allies here at Parents Rights in Education, it requires us to all do our part in protecting our children's education. That's why we created club 12 by 12. For just $12 a month you can sign up to become a club 12 by 12 member and help us continue our work on training and forming and empowering parents and allies to stand up for their rights. Being a club 12 by 12 member gets you access to our exclusive monthly trainings, swag such as hats, T shirts, buttons, a monthly newsletter and more. But most importantly being a club 12 by 12 member means you are doing your part to protect parents rights for one more day. To become a club 12 by 12. Member, visit our website parents rights and education.com and click club 12 by 12. That's parents rights and education.com click club 12 by 12.
Suzanne Gallagher 4:15
Okay, so back to school. What does that mean for you? Well pre is headquartered in Oregon, as you probably already know, and for good reason. All things progressive usually happen here first, right? Find out what's happening in your school district and take the offense. opt out of curriculum activities and surveys. That's your number one on your checklist for back to school. Federal law allows parents to review curriculum and prevent schools from asking highly personal questions without parental consent. The Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment is an important tool for holding administrators and teachers accountable. It This is not FERPA, Family Education Rights and Privacy Act that, you know, public schools seem to always talk about, which prevent protects students privacy. It's even better. This is for parental rights PPRA. Don't forget that PPRA it provides parents legal rights to review curriculum, and in some circumstances to opt out of certain activities at any school that receives federal funding. Again, it's not the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act FERPA curriculum, parents have the right to inspect any instructional material used as part of the education curriculum for the student, the parent who wants to exercise his right must request the material, the school does not have to provide access to the material without being asked first. That's the key guys, you got to ask them. Schools have to disclose teacher training materials which are designed to affect or direct student instruction also. And then how about the surveys that they give kids every fall? without parental consent. Schools cannot require a student to answer personal questions such as political beliefs or affiliations, mental problems or challenges sexual behavior, attitudes, illegal antisocial, self incriminating or demeaning behavior, and the list goes on. If the school wants to distribute or administer a survey created by an outside entity, that parent has the right to review the survey first, along with any supplemental materials, including teachers manuals, the parent must request this the school does not have the right to provide copies without being asked first. Critically. This applies to all gender and race related materials. Some school districts retain survey and data mining companies, which sell race focus, student and teacher surveys, data management tools and training on systemic racism and oppression, white supremacy, implicit bias, gender issues, and intersectionality. Often under the rubric of social emotional learning. If parents are engaged in object, then none of this sort of material should be forced on children, period. But if parents are disengaged in silent, that PPRA and other laws are ineffective, we have to step up guys. Parents can request information directly from their school district with something as simple as a letter or an email that says, under the Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment, I request the following colon. That's it guys. Just make that simple statement. And then state what you want. Do you want to be opted out of specific activities or curriculum, just tell them what you want? America first legal has more information, a handbook detailing PPRA is available on their website. And if your rights had been violated, you contact them. America first legal.org. Now how about vaccine mandates. So that's coming up. It's no secret school districts are gearing up to enforce vaccine mandates. This is not new, you have the right to submit a completed medical or non medical religious exemption form. So get a hold of that form and fill it out. Have it ready before school starts, even if it's just started, if it's not too late. Now, where are they getting this the Department of Health and Human Services, this is coming directly from the top and they're not given up. Even though you know COVID-19 isn't required. It's all those other vaccines they still want your child to have. And then there are the mat mask mandates. This is a caution to all parents as your children returned to school. Be prepared. Be prepared to stand up for your rights when it comes to medical mandates. We all know the long term harm masking is for kids. Not only are children breathing their own carbon dioxide, they are exposed to additional harmful bacteria populating their masks. And masking is a psychological stressor for children disrupting learning. Overall, it is likely that masking exacerbates the chances that a child will experience anxiety and depression. So what's a parent to do? Well, don't go alone. That's rule number one. Join with other parents and start a pre affiliate. If there's only three of you. That's enough. Take the free how to give testimony courses on our website. They're free on demand online. give testimony at the first available school board meeting about your rights regarding medical mandates accessed information and opt out of curriculum surveys, upload the recording of your testimony at that school board meeting. Oh my gosh, I can't wait to see them. Put up on the pre website, upload them right there and we will publish them. Remember, we are millions of voices speaking as one. When we return our Washington State School Board candidate Corinne Jensen, will join me to discuss why she's running for school board and what back to school means for her family. Oh, and by the way, why the pre candidate endorsement is important to her.
Hanna 10:37
Hey, parents, do you want to testify at your school board but aren't sure where to begin? Or do you want to run for your school board and need tips for how to win, we created a free training center for you learn how to effectively testify at your school board and how to win your school board election through our free courses available for you. In our courses, we provide step by step video instructions along with the quiz to make sure you really grasp the information. Some of the video instructions include how to testify at your school board in person, and virtually how to prepare your testimony and tips for recording your testimony and sharing it and more in our course that teaches you how to win your school board election. We have video instructions for things like creating your campaign plan, managing a team, budgeting, how to debate effectively and more. You are making an impact on your child's education. And we are here to support you join for free today by visiting parents rights and education.com/login. That's parents rights and education.com/login.
Suzanne Gallagher 11:35
I Corrine, it's so great to see you today. Thank you for joining us on Parents Rights in Education. Thank you for having me. Absolutely. Absolutely. So we're so excited to have you as our guests, because I think you're the first school board candidate that we've had on our show. So this is a big one. And we know that loss is going on in Washington State. As a matter of fact, I was contacted by a fellow in Gosh in the East Coast, who is a freelance journalist. And he wanted to know about the laws just passed in Washington State. Now that's, that's fantastic. Tell us about why you're running for school board.
Kirryn Jensen 12:23
So I just run for school board and Moses Lake because I have noticed a lot of increase in violence and bullying. And I have quite a few friends here in the district that have brought their concerns to me about their children not being safe at school.
Suzanne Gallagher 12:43
Oh my goodness. Well, we hear a lot about safety in regards to the LGBTQ. Ay ay. Two plus population don't wait. What are these kids experiencing that your friends are are having concerns about? What are they experiencing?
Kirryn Jensen 13:05
So the biggest the biggest thing is, is actual weapons and violence happening at school and not not no accountability. If the students bring a concern to staff or teachers, they're not. Their concerns are not being addressed. And in specifics circumstances, there have been reports of weapons being brought on campus. And, you know, in a situation like that, I think the authorities need to be involved in at this point, those students aren't being even questioned or approached. Hmm.
Suzanne Gallagher 13:42
So what kind of weapons are you talking about?
Kirryn Jensen 13:45
Firearms knives actual.
Suzanne Gallagher 13:47
Okay, firearms and knives. Okay. And are the parents contacting the authorities?
Kirryn Jensen 13:56
Yes. They have a couple of times. And one of one of the specific parents that I spoke to just in recent weeks, told me that her her response from the police was to bring it up with the the school. Okay, so
Suzanne Gallagher 14:20
they're deflecting responsibility back to the school. Is there an SRO officer at the school?
Kirryn Jensen 14:26
At this specific school? I'm not sure that's not a question that I asked. I was just listening to this mother's story. Okay. And it was, it was a pretty lengthy story about her poor daughter that she's just suffered quite a bit of bullying and, and when she told me about the weapons that that were being reported, I mean, that just blew my mind. So
Suzanne Gallagher 14:53
what do you think the school district? How can they improve in this situation? What do you think the school district should be doing?
Kirryn Jensen 14:59
By think every it starts with every single report, you know, we can never be too careful, in my opinion with all the school shootings and, and violence and bullying and these, you know, these kids have suffered a lot in the last, you know, four years and they've gone through a lot, you know, emotionally and socially. And I think that whether it's a credible threat or not, it still needs to be completely exhausted. And we need to make sure that each of these concerns are, are being met with with, you know, Swift, swiftly. And it seems to me that based on the the parents, especially these two parents that I've spoken to recently that those concerns are not being addressed at all completely swept under the rug,
Suzanne Gallagher 15:48
what is back to school mean for your family? What do you think about when it comes to back to school,
Kirryn Jensen 15:55
a lot of organization and definitely, for preparing my kids, you know, for what if scenarios, and, you know, a lot of safety talk talks about, you know, talk about where exits are and, and what to do and fire, earthquake, stuff like that. So, know that, you know, there's some education out there that kind of, you know, mold that over, but my husband and I are very, we are advocates for emergency preparedness, and that, you know, child safety and protection. So
Suzanne Gallagher 16:32
wonderful, wonderful. And so how many children? Do you have? Three, three, what are their? What are their ages and
Kirryn Jensen 16:38
grades? So Well, I actually my youngest is not in school yet. But seven and 14.
Suzanne Gallagher 16:46
And you're a young mom. Yeah, my
Kirryn Jensen 16:48
youngest is actually four. So Wow.
Suzanne Gallagher 16:52
A huge commitment for you. I applaud you this will not this will this will be your your main volunteer effort. You know, on the school board, there's a lot of required a school board members, I don't think we give them enough respect for the for the level of commitment that it takes to do a good job. Right. And it appears to me that that you have a lot of empathy also for other parents, which is why you will be an excellent school board member. Act really? Yes, listening to parents what their concerns are what's actually going on, you know, once their kids cross that threshold, what is happening in the school? So is there are there any other reasons that you've decided to run?
Kirryn Jensen 17:41
Well, yeah, one of the biggest reasons is, I was raised to fix problems that I had a complaint about. And that was, you know, one of the number one values I was brought up with is you're not allowed to complain about it unless you're willing to fix it. And so, I've I've experienced myself complaining for quite some time. And I figured, you know, what, now's the time to fix the problem, and need to stop complaining and stand up and do something about it.
Suzanne Gallagher 18:16
Love that. Love that. So do you have a list that that you're looking at thinking? Or that what are your top three issues that you'd like to address.
Kirryn Jensen 18:28
So I definitely think that the violence and bullying is a huge problem, especially in Moses, like I it is not unknown throughout the community that we have a problem here. And that definitely needs to be addressed. And I feel like just personally from listening to the parents within the district and other parents who have, you know, a bunch of kids is that it kind of starts with accountability, and that there just really isn't any anymore. And so, I would like to address that. And I think that the best way to to address that problem is to create some sort of advisory board, that connection between the community and the board, to better advise the board on how to implement new policy and make it to where students and teachers and staff all feel safe. And that there is some sort of justice for problems, punishments for others. And accountability. Because when you know when you make a mistake, it shouldn't just be swept under the rug. So we need to be able to have teaching moments and learning opportunities.
Suzanne Gallagher 19:42
Absolutely. That's that can be a tall order at times and making those choices. Tell me about your race a little bit Are are you running as a slate with other candidates?
Kirryn Jensen 19:54
I am actually running with two other women that I know All, very personally, I know these women, I've known them for a very long time have very wonderful two very wonderful women. And they're very excited. Also, which is is very exciting. Carla ureas and Amy Bridenstine. And so yeah, the hope is, is that the three of us will win. And we can do some really great things together on the board.
Suzanne Gallagher 20:28
Wonderful. And I believe the parents rights and education has endorsed all three of you. Yes, yes. Wonderful. How's your campaign going? What kind of feedback are you receiving? I know, you've had a booth at several events this summer.
Kirryn Jensen 20:43
We have, yeah, we so we have received amazing feedback from the community. Actually, all three of us have gotten really positive reviews and just complete excitement throughout. The everybody that we've talked to is really excited about the three of us doing this. And they're just ready for change. They're ready for they're ready for just something different, you know, new, fresh perspective. People think can come in and kind of change things for the better, you know, our community, but our students really deserve that. They, you know, these students need somebody that will stand up for them and protect them.
Suzanne Gallagher 21:25
Absolutely. Well, sounds wonderful. And what is the date of the election? Is it
Kirryn Jensen 21:30
November? Yep. November? I believe it's the seventh.
Suzanne Gallagher 21:34
The seventh? Yeah. Okay. November 7. Fantastic. Well, we wish you all the best. We'll be rooting for you. And as you know, we're doing a lot with your campaign. We're posting on social media and everything. And I really think you know, that it would be a good move, to attend a school board meeting and give testimony, all three of you on this very important subject. And let's get the word out. Yes, definitely. Terrific. Congratulations. Thank you for spending time with me today.
Kirryn Jensen 22:07
Thank you for having me.
Hanna 22:09
Thank you so much for listening to today's episode. Keep up with everything we're doing. Check out our website, parents rights in education.com and sign up for our newsletter. You can also join our movement for free by visiting our website parents rights in education.com. To do your part in protecting parents rights, you can become a club 12 by 12 member by donating $12 a month. It takes all of us to make the change that we want to see. Thanks so much for listening. Talk soon.