Teachers Saving Children® Inc. - National
Newsletter
Volume 12, Number 1
October 2001
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"Ye are the light of the world...In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven."
The events of September 11, 2001 have been on the hearts and minds of individuals around the world. In James 4:14 (NKJV) it states that "Whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away." In light of the reality of death and the brevity of life, individuals are re-evaluating their lives, including their value system, their relationships, and their spiritual focus. Although our time here on earth is brief, we have been created for a specific purpose. We are called to share the truth about life - that Jesus Christ is Life and that life is sacred and precious. We are called to be a light and to share hope within a darkened world.
Many times it may seem like we are constantly fighting battles as we are in the midst of spiritual warfare. However, if we would focus more on the mission that the Lord has laid before us rather than on the battle itself, I believe we would see positive results and victories that only the Lord could give to us. Even Paul the Apostle experienced opposition as he shared the Gospel while on his missionary journeys, but he pressed on with the mission of preaching the truth of the Gospel. In modern times there was David Livingstone, a great missionary who went into the heart of hostile Africa. When asked where he was prepared to go, he answered, "Anywhere, so long as it is forward." Both Paul the Apostle and David Livingstone had a deep passion for people. They were willing to press onward and speak the truth even in the midst of opposition.
Do we really believe that the truth about the Sanctity of Life is best for others? Are we really willing to share this truth with people regardless of their response - regardless of the fact that fewer and fewer people may seem to care? The TSC Board of Trustees believes that whichever way the tide is flowing, our call is to continue to stand within the academic world for life and to continue to share the truth with others. The Board continues to seek the Lord's direction for positive ways to share the truth about the Sanctity of Life. And we are finding those ways, for example, through one-on-one conversations and through the exhibit at the NEA Expo each summer.
Please join with us in taking every opportunity given us to reasonably, respectfully, and clearly share these truths. Let us become that positive "light" in this darkened world by moving forward with the mission laid before us and then allow the Lord to take care of the results. Our only calling is to be obedient and faithful to be His light - His voice for those children who have no voice.
Gloria Hoelle is in her twenty-first year of teaching, currently serving as Guidance Counselor at Bloomfield Elementary School, Edgewood District, Trenton, Ohio. She received her B.S. in 1965 at the University of Dayton in biological science, and health and physical education, and her masters in guidance and counseling at Miami University in 1983. She taught l1/2 years in the 1960's before taking out time to raise her family. She taught biology, general science, and physical education prior to her current position.
She has been married 36 years and her family has always been her priority. Being the eldest of six growing up on the farm, she learned the importance of respect for all life and responsible stewardship for our earth. With her 5 daughters she has served as softball coach, Girl Scout leader, 4-H advisor, Catechism teacher and youth group leader at her church. She is a member of Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church where she is the pro-life coordinator being involved in the local Walk for Life, the Community Pregnancy Center Banquet, and the Washington DC Walk for Life.
Having begun her teaching career in the 1960's, she's seen the vast change in the respect and discipline our children have today. She believes that the Roe vs. Wade decision is a key factor in this change, as well as the media and violence to which our children are exposed. "Our society has become de-sensitized to the moral guidelines for life, which God has given us," she feels.
Now that her 5 daughters are raised and all have their degrees and are successfully on their way in their careers, Gloria is ready to give back to God for blessing her family by serving on the Board. She looks forward to working to restore the sanctity of life to education and to our country.
TSC Inc. of MI, 3442 Olderidge NE, Grand Rapids MI 49525-3025; tsc-mi@multimag.com
Ohio: The Ohio TSC Board of Trustees met twice during the 2000-2001 fiscal year: September 23, 2000 and February 24, 2001. For the 2000-2001 membership year they had a total of 142 memberships. The Ohio TSC Chapter continues to cooperate with Ohio Life Issues Caucus. They also sent a representative from the Board of Trustees to the Ohio Women's Legislative Advocacy Day, an event that encouraged women to get more involved in government.
TSC Inc. of Ohio, PO Box 125, Damascus OH 44619-0125; tsc-life@juno.com
Pennsylvania: The Pennsylvania TSC Board of Trustees met two times during the 2000-2001 fiscal year: September 23, 2000 and March 31, 2001. For the 2000-2001 membership year they had a total of 53 members. The PA TSC Board of Trustees approved Jeff Remington as a new board member to replace Lee Keefer who had resigned from the PA Board of Trustees effective August 31, 2000. On April 28, 2001, the PA Board held their first successful Regional Meeting for their members in the Lancaster PA area. The 2001-2002 officers for the PA TSC Affiliate State Chapter are as follows: Michael Grella, Executive Director; Robin Ross, Assistant Executive Director; Linda Burroughs, Treasurer.
TSC of PA Inc., PO Box 214, Pen Argyl PA 18072; tscofpa@earthlink.net (Note: This is a NEW e-mail address for TSC of PA Inc.)
Other State Affiliates: If you are interested in getting a TSC Affiliate State Chapter started in your state, please contact TSC for further information.
A pro-life club in a public high school? Why not? It's doable and it's legal. For the past seven years the ProVita Club has been functioning at John Adams High School in Queens.
It all began when I started wearing the precious feet pin to school. It drew students' attention and they began asking questions. Some of them would stop by after classes because they wanted to know more and we'd discuss the development of the baby and other questions they'd have about abortion. Finally, one of them suggested that they form a club.
A teacher may start a club that is curriculum related such as science or math, but other clubs must be student initiated. Here was a student actually asking to start a club. A statement of purpose was drawn up and submitted to the principal. The students would become educated about the life issues, especially abortion and euthanasia, and they would provide a service to the community. The proposal was then submitted to the Office of the Queens Superintendent of High Schools and finally to the legal division of the Board of Education. Permission was granted to start the club.
Reading and discussing pro-life materials are integral parts of the club, but service projects are also very important. They help students put their beliefs into action and at the same time they give students a chance to share their beliefs with others. Over the years, the club has sponsored a number of fund raising activities for crisis pregnancy centers, made regular visits to a local nursing home and provided education for their fellow students through newsletters.
Our young people should hear the pro-life message at home from their parents and in the churches from their priests and ministers. Sometimes that doesn't happen, but it can happen in school if one teacher or one student wants to make it happen. It should be happening in the religious schools and it can happen in the public schools.
Editor's Note: This article was originally published in the July 2001 issue of "Life News", a monthly pro-life newsletter from Long Island NY. Maryjane McQuade taught English and Journalism at John Adams High School before retiring from 42 years of full-time teaching. She continues to work with the club, which continued in existence following her retirement. For further information individuals can contact Maryjane McQuade at MjKev@aol.com.
1. The Board of Trustees accepted the resignation of TSC Board member Lisa Rudloff who has served the National Board for the past four years. The Board of Trustees approved the name of Gloria Hoelle to fill the open seat on the Board of Trustees. (See related article).
2. The Board of Trustees approved the final draft for the updated TSC Brochure. The Board of Trustees also approved the final draft for the updated brochure entitled "Participation in Teacher Unions: Your Rights, Responsibilities, and Options."
3. The Board of Trustees approved the website and the server provider for the website. It is the goal of the Board to have the website uploaded and available for viewing by the end of November 2001.
4. The Board of Trustees made a decision to make application for an exhibit at the NEA Expo 2002 in Dallas TX, June 30 - July 2, 2002.
5. The Board of Trustees approved the 2000-2001 fiscal report and the following 2001-2002 National budget:
| Affiliate State Chapters | $ 500.00 | ||
| Awards & Gifts | 100.00 | ||
| Legal & Accounting | 1000.00 | ||
| Office Administration | 200.00 | ||
| Postage | 2200.00 | ||
| Public Relations | |||
| Printing | 1750.00 | ||
| Promotion | 1000.00 | ||
| Telephone | 750.00 | ||
| Travel Expense | 500.00 | ||
| Total | $8000.00 |
| Balance - September 1, 2000 | $2472.95 | ||
| Receipts: | |||
| Contributions: | |||
| NEA Exhibit | $3941.00 | ||
| Undesignated | 1838.04 | ||
| Memberships: | |||
| 2000-2001 | 1239.00 | ||
| 2001-2002 | 2609.00 | ||
| Interest | 52.79 | $9679.83 | |
| Disbursements: | |||
| Legal & Accounting | 861.25 | ||
| Office Administration | 107.49 | ||
| Postage | 1600.73 | ||
| Public Relations | |||
| Advertising | 385.90 | ||
| Printing | 1210.50 | ||
| Promotion | 913.78 | ||
| NEA Exhibit** | 3758.24 | ||
| Telephone | 843.82 | ||
| Travel Expenses | 152.55 | 9834.26 | |
| Balance - August 31, 2001 | $2318.52 |
**The NEA Exhibit Line Item Balance is $182.76.
Please note: There were a large number of membership renewals paid prior to September 1, 2001. Thank you for helping the Board have a better picture of what our finances would be like for the 2001-2002 fiscal year. TSC does not solicit additional contributions beyond memberships, but does appreciate any additional contributions received throughout the year.
"In a decision with profound implications for the reproductive freedom rights of female workers nationwide, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) ruled last December that an employer's health insurance plan must cover prescription contraceptives for women if the plan covers other prescription drugs such as Viagra.
The EEOC declared that the failure to provide such coverage is illegal under the federal Pregnancy Discrimination Act (PDA). The PDA applies to all school districts and colleges and universities.
NEA joined with a coalition of some 65 organizations represented by the National Women's Law Center in petitioning the EEOC for the ruling.
Citing the EEOC decision, a federal court in Seattle last June became the first in the nation to find an employer guilty of discrimination for failing to include prescription contraceptives in its health care plan.
Ruling in favor of Jennifer Erickson, a pharmacist at Bartell Drug Co., Judge Robert Lasnik said, 'Although the plan covers almost all drugs and devices used by men, the exclusion of prescription contraceptives creates a gaping hole in the coverage offered to female employees, leaving a fundamental and immediate healthcare need uncovered'
The National Women's Law Center has prepared a brochure titled 'Take Action' that provides employees with practical advice about how to obtain coverage for prescription contraceptives from their employers. It's posted at www.nwlc.org/pill4us/index.cfm.
The EEOC decision is posted at www.eeoc.gov/docs/decision-contraception.html."
According to the NEA, reproductive freedom "refers to dual rights - the rights to abortion and to carry a pregnancy to term." (Deceptions by the Radical Right against the National Education Association, NEA Human and Civil Rights, 1994, page 9.) After reading this article the question is "What is-or what WILL be-the NEA's definition of 'contraceptives?' Will it include drugs that may be described as contraceptives, but that are actually 'abortifacients?'" (A drug that allows conception of a new, genetically unique human to occur but cuts off support by preventing implantation in the uterus is an abortifacient, not a contraceptive.) Will NEA's definition of contraceptives open the door to insurance payments for the notorious, controversial abortifacient RU486 that has left some women hemorrhaging and all targeted preborns dead? While it may sound innocent enough, prescription contraceptive coverage could misdirect individuals into the abortion culture even more. There is another substantial difference here between the Viagra scenario and prescription contraceptive coverage. While one allows for procreativity, the other works to prevent it or, as in abortifacients, stop the development of life once it has been created.
The future should prove to be interesting. Watch for more news on this one.
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