HWFAC logo Hamilton-Wentworth Family Action Council
Dedicated to Preserving Family Values
P.O. Box 66714, 38 King Street East,
Stoney Creek, ON CANADA L8G 5E6 		CFAC logo
OUR BIGGEST BATTLE EVER!

April, 2005
Whether you have children in the public school system or you do not, we are all in the midst of a very high-stakes battle with the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board (HWDSB). Now, more than ever, we need the greater Hamilton Christian community to stand together and prevent the School Board from implementing the Equity Policy before the redefinitions of the terms bias, culture, discrimination, curriculum, race and ethnicity, and the term equality of outcome, have been corrected. The way they are now defined, families who adhere to Judeo-Christian principles and beliefs will be considered biased, racist and discriminatory if they hold that all behaviours are not equal.

debate We believe that people are created equal, however, homosexuality, bisexuality and transgenderism are not subjects to be introduced or normalized in the school classroom. Furthermore, many of us believe that there are absolutes in this world. Racial and ethnic identities are not commonly understood to be only 'socially constructed' as the redefinitions attempt to say, but just the categories are. If the glossary meanings are left unchanged, language, Judeo-Christian belief and family values will be systematically changed to reflect the tenets of this new anti-Judeo-Christian ideology.

We believe that, at our last meeting with the HWDSB Senior Management (March 2/05), some of our concerns were finally understood. However, we are not certain that changes will be made, or that we will be included in the 'validation process' following the drafting of equity policy document. We are trusting God to bring us through to victory, whatever path that may take.

LEGAL REMEDIES/OPTIONS:

gavel We will know more by the next newsletter in June, but right now we are looking at the following:
  1. Exploring what options/legal remedies are available to the families of Hamilton-Wentworth. Non-binding mediation or litigation? Perhaps leave the public system and seek accommodation in the Catholic School system? This is what Ward 11 Trustee Thompson has suggested to some of his constituents. Or do we increase the pressure for PACE school programs?

  2. As many Judeo-Christian parents as possible, (those with children in the public school system), may need to get together and file a legal petition against the school board. We have legal counsel exploring the best possible approach. Please consider your role in this. HWFAC is not a legal entity that can initiate a lawsuit.

  3. We may need 100 financial partners to pledge $1,000.00 each which would be held in a legal defense fund. These monies would be returned if not needed. Pledges would need to be raised before a lawsuit is filed in order to be assured of community and financial support.

  4. Who are we up against? The Elementary Teachers' Federation (whose members are either not aware of, or are not in support this policy) has been committed since its inception in 1998 to the inclusion of anti-homophobia and anti-heterosexism curriculum. School Board Senior Management who feels exclusion of sexual orientations in the school environment and curriculum is somehow discriminatory.

  5. Considering the fact that private Christian schools cost around $7,000/student, and that most families cannot afford to enrol their children, it will be a lot less costly to fight now for Judeo-Christian -respectful principles in the public school system. We trust that you agree.

We pray you will see the Lord's will and leading in this issue. Please contact us with your support and recommendations as soon as possible. Thank you.
Hamilton-Wentworth Family Action Council Executive
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Hamilton-Wentworth Family Action Council
(CFAC Hamilton Branch)
P.O. Box 66714, 38 King Street East, Stoney Creek, ON CANADA L8G 5E6