Mission parents choosing private school for safety

‘The students focus more on who is wearing a particular brand of clothes and who is dating whom.’

ST. IGNATIUS – Concerned about student safety and a “coercive” public school system, some Mission parents have moved their children to a new private school.

“Public schools are getting out of hand,” said Caroline Hanke, a parent of two. “There is a serious lack of respect for the teachers and administrators. The teachers are able to do very little in the way of discipline without fear of lawsuits.”

She said some students are smoking electronic cigarettes in class and they focus too much on social issues.

“The (public school) curriculum is starting to suffer with the introduction of Common Core. All the emphasis is on standardized testing outcomes,” she said. “The students focus more on who is wearing a particular brand of clothes and who is dating whom. The rampant drug use and sex occurring on campus is also ridiculous.”

Recently opened Glacier Lake School charges $5,100 per student yet many Mission parents opt to pay the fee rather than keep their children in the public schools.

Hanke said her children are safe and get a classical education focused on using logic and critical thinking.

“The classes are much smaller and more personal; there is a real sense of community happening,” she said. “It is a sacrifice financially to send my kids to a private school setting, but I think the future of my kids is worth it.”

Glacier Lake founders Ben Ketner and Lisa Pavlock believe they have the alternative to public school.

“Coercive schooling is not good for children,” said Ketner, originally from London. “The Common Core currently practiced by the public school system shows a single method to teach and test a mass of students with little to no benefit to the child.”

Glacier Lake’s approach would be to teach physics by teaching the student how to build a catapult, allowing them to see the math and science in action.

“(That) allows the child to understand the information in a whole new way,” Ketner said. “That, in itself, is child-led learning. The child is excited and looking for bigger and better challenges.”

Saint Ignatius School Superintendent Bob Lewandowski supports additional educational options such as Glacier Lake.

“Parents need options and the public school system has been structured to serve everyone from every walk of life,” he said. “The variables between the two educational options vary to such a degree that comparing the two is almost impossible.”

Lewandowski said only parents can make the final decision on what is best for their child.

Recently, officials have noticed an increase in the following areas: Physical, Direct Verbal or in some instances, Cyber-Bullying both on and off campus.

“I intend to take a bold stand in addressing this behavior within our walls,” Lewandowski said. “Direct bullying doesn’t seem to be as prevalent as indirect bullying in this day and age; however, both are wrong and need to be addressed. Bullying hurts others.”

District officials recently mailed surveys to parents asking for recommendations and assistance creating a more positive educational environment.

Officials formed an improvement committee consisting of parents, staff and teachers to address improving attendance; academic rigor; and safety, support and belonging.

“Here at Mission, we will soon provide professional development opportunities to help staff identify both direct and indirect bullying,” Lewandowski said. “We will put bullying on our school and staff’s radar to provide the safety, support and belonging every child deserves.”

Brenda Ferril, a parent who homeschooled her two children, chose Glacier Lake for the social dynamics and the more intimate educational setting.

“Their methods are so drastically different and I am looking forward to seeing how my children respond,” Ferril said.

A parent whose child was bullied couldn’t wait for changes in the public schools.

“It takes but a brief moment for something to happen, like a chain of dominoes, once put into action, the response can never be taken back,” said the parent, who wishes to remain anonymous. “Our children are reaching a point where there seems no escape from the negative effects that are brought with the public school system and a complete lack of activities in the communities. This extreme situation in turn causes an increase in drug and underage alcohol usage. They are left with no options.”

Glacier Lake Classes begin Sept. 2, and an orientation meeting is Aug. 23.