Jack Oliver of FLIMEN on 8/3 at Abacoa

Take Donald Ross Rd. to Parkside Dr. North on Parkside Dr. 0.4 miles to Barbados Dr. Left on Barbados Dr. to first driveway on Left

Please click on the RSVP button above so we are prepared to accommodate you.

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Rebecca Negron on Common Core

The Common Core standards and the processes that they have created, have a wide impact on K-12 education, with policy implications at the local, state, and national levels.

Many see them as an onerous regimen imposed on local school districts by the federal government, loaded with progessive bias in content, and counter to the local control of education that our system has featured since the dawn of public education. Teachers don’t like the program because it has too much emphasis on testing, and whittles away at their autonomy in the classroom. Administrators oppose them for the high stakes they impose on scoring individual schools. Parents object to the way subjects are taught (which some find incomprehensible, particularly in basic mathematics), the critical importance given to test results, and the lack of local control over the classroom.

In spite of this opposition, the train has left the station and Common Core is being implemented to various degrees across the country. Our speaker, Rebecca Negron attempted to make sense of all this from the point of view of a Martin County School Board member who was drawn to the office when she did not like the way her own children were being taught.

So what is the current state of Common Core in Florida?

In her view, testing is out of control – the tests are too frequent, and because teachers pay and school rating depend so heavily on the results, the objective of learning is sometimes lost. Martin County this year has opted out of giving End of Year exams.

Teachers evaluations – an attempt to separate the excellent from the mediocre, have failed – after spending $1.3M on implementing an evaluation process for the county, almost all teachers fall in the top two categories – hardly the differentiator that was intended.

School choice (vouchers) – in her view a good, market driven program, has caused a circle the wagons mentality within the system, with the FSBA (Florida School Board Association) joining with the teachers union (FEA) in a lawsuit to end the Tax Credit Scholarship Program. Martin County has considered withdrawing from FSBA membership for this reason.

Mrs. Negron claimed that the problem is not the content of the Common Core Standards themselves, but the implementation, particularly in the “approved” textbooks that she describes as choosing the “best of the worst”. Change is hard though, and she has had little success in convincing her school board colleagues to seek new textbooks or push back against the state imposition of the standards and curriculum. The issues have moved up in the government food chain and local School Boards can do little given what is mandated at the state level, which in turn is influenced by the education dollars flowing from the federal government.

Quite a few questions led to a lively discussion at the end of the session, with many in the audience having been on the front lines of the common core fight. Identified by some as the villian of the piece, Jeb Bush and his “Excellence in Education” foundation have been a driving force for common core. It was pointed out that many in the legislature, including Rebecca’s husband Senator Joe Negron, have served on Bush’s board, making opposition in Tallahassee an uphill fight.

As many continued the discussion with Mrs. Negron after the session ended, it seemed clear that her assessment of the state of common core does not sit well, and there is much frustration that School Boards in Martin and Palm Beach County are not doing enough to push back against the common core juggernaut.

Rafael Cruz Brings Energy to Tea Party Meeting

Pastor Rafael Cruz, father of presidential candidate and Texas Senator Ted Cruz, brought his particular brand of bible driven politics to the PBCTP on Saturday at the library branch in Palm Beach Gardens.

Pastor Cruz was introduced by Kiwi pundit Trever Loudon, who yearned for another Reagan to emerge and save us (“Now have Carter on steroids and need a Reagan on Meth”), and doesn’t think much of some of the choices, such as “illegal immigration is an act of love, common core loving” Jeb Bush. While stopping short of an outright endorsement of Ted Cruz, Loudon made it clear he is a fan, and suggested that Senator Cruz should pre-announce his cabinet selections. (See sidebar).

With an overall theme of the urgency of action leading up to the 2016 election, Pastor Cruz’s remarks were less a campaign speech for Ted Cruz as much as a call to action to save the country from the destroying influences that under the banner of social justice, encourage dependence on government rather than self reliance.

Using Common Core as an example, brainwashing created by the secular humanists with a political agenda, he tied it to the 1934 “Humanist Manifesto” which features situational ethics, values qualification, and the rights of the group over the individual – all concepts in opposition to the values of the founders.

“America is worth saving” he declared. If the most exceptional country on the face of the earth were to succumb, where would people go if freedom is lost?

He recalled the days of the “black robe regiments” when the American Revolution was driven and nurtured from the pulpit all across colonial America. If the evangelical voters stay home next year, as they did in 2012, we will lose. We are on the edge of a precipice in 2016, with a corrupt political establishment and a lack of values in many institutions. Pastors need to stop hiding behind their pulpits and the liberal’s view of separation of church and state, and find the courage to stand up for America.

Although it’s been said before, Pastor Cruz clearly left the audience with the impression that the next election is truly “the most important of your lifetime.”

Boca July Mtg: Armando Escalante/Director for Bear Witness Central

Armando Escalante is currently the Northeast Florida Director for Bear Witness Central and an active speaker on Cultural Marxism. He is also a current board member of Volusia 912 Patriots in Florida and the Communications Chair for the Volusia County Republican Executive Committee. He, along with his wife, are in the media and web development business and are the producers of the Tales of Waterville™, wholesome animated shows for Children based on Christian values.

As an independent producer of children’s animated content and media professional, he has seen first hand how the culture is being influenced through entertainment, media and education. Over the last few years he and his wife have been active in Patriot groups and the Christian community on a county and state level advocating our Nation’s Constitutional founding, speaking and teaching on the evils of Socialism, Communism, Globalization and an outspoken opponent of Common Core. As a Christian, and Bible teacher for over 16 years, he has been active in bringing awareness on the issue of “Cultural Marxism” and how much of an impact it has had (and continues to have) on American Culture.

Armando, a water baptized born-again Christian, is active in leading bible studies in apologetics and helping many understand the assault on Christianity. He and his wife have been guests on local talk radio, speaking about the 912 movement and the current attacks on our culture. Armando has also been on national radio and a guest on shows such as Sons of Liberty Radio Show and American Freedom Watch Radio.

The meeting schedule follows:

Please RSVP below; no meal is served with this meeting.

Jupiter July Mtg: Rebecca Negron, Common Core

When:  July 6, 2015
Where:  Abacoa Golf Club, 105 Barbados Drive, Jupiter, Fl 33458

Time: 5:30 PM Dinner – $17.00 (Soup & Sandwiches, Cash Bar), 6:30 PM Meeting

Rebecca Negron serves on the Martin County School Board, representing Hobe Sound and southern Martin County in District 3, and is a Registered Nurse who practiced in the field of Obstetrics.

She has spent many hours volunteering in classrooms and is concerned not only that our students have a rigorous academic experience, but that they are taught the values that are important to a thriving and free society.
As a School Board member, Rebecca has focused on three major issues. First, she is working to empower and encourage parents to be actively involved in their students’ education. Second, Rebecca believes students must have a solid foundation in traditional academics, as well as learning to think critically and creatively. Finally, Rebecca is committed to developing, keeping and rewarding high performing teachers.

See Pastor Rafael Cruz – Ted Cruz’ Father – on June 20

Pastor Rafael Cruz
Father of Senator Ted Cruz (2016 presidential candidate) speaks at

Palm Beach Gardens Library
11303 Campus Dr
Palm Beach Gardens, FL
(561) 626-6133
MAP

Free Admission

Saturday, June 20, 2015

Sign in at 9:30am.
Meeting will start promptly at 10:00am.
Introduction by Trevor Loudon
Seating is limited – Please RSVP below

Rafael Cruz is a powerful example of the American Dream. Born in Cuba, Rafael lived and suffered under a cruel, oppressive dictator. He began fighting Batista’s regime as a teenager and was imprisoned and tortured for his role in that fight.

Rafael arrived in Texas on a student visa in 1957 with nothing but the clothes on his back and one hundred dollars sewn into his underwear. He got a job as a dishwasher, making 50 cents an hour, and worked his way through the University of Texas, while learning English. He later built a small business in further pursuit of the American Dream.

Concerned with the negative impact of the Carter administration policies on our country, Rafael Cruz became engaged in conservative politics as a grassroots activist during the 1980 Presidential Campaign of Ronald Reagan.  When his son Ted was a child growing up in Houston, Rafael would tell him, “When we faced oppression in Cuba, I had a place to flee to. If we lose our freedom here, where do we go?”

In 2012, Ted Cruz was elected U.S. Senator from Texas.

Today, Pastor Cruz is an ordained minister, sharing the Word of God in churches and Pastors’ Conferences throughout the United States. He is also the president of Kingdom Translation Services.  As he travels the country sharing his story and speaking on the Biblical foundations of our nation, it is his passion to encourage Christians in what can be done to return our nation to the principles that made America exceptional.

Rand Paul Event Cancelled

Dear Members,

Senator Rand Paul was scheduled to speak in Palm Beach this week but chose to reschedule so that he can fight the renewal of the Patriot Act up in DC. How often do you see a politician place liberty over campaigning?

Our event on this Thursday, May 21st is cancelled. However, we will be rescheduling it sometime in the near future.

We want to thank all of you who have responded with an RSVP and ask your patience and understanding. When something goes wrong there is always something good that comes from it. The something good? We know that we would have filled the FAU auditorium with Patriots. Hold tight because we WILL have another opportunity.

Second Amendment Coalition at Wellington

Please join us in May for
Second Amendment Coalition of Florida, Inc

Mike Lameyer, Marine Corps Combat Veteran
&
Alison Rampersad, Vice President

The Second Amendment Coalition of Florida, Inc., is a local grassroots organization dedicated to the preservation of the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution. “A well-regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed”
Our mission is to inform, educate and advise citizens to the true meaning of the Second Amendment and advise them of any violations committed by our publicly elected officials and the media and noting its importance in America’s history and future. It is evident, from our forefathers’ writings, that the individual citizen’s right to keep and bear arms is a fundamental right to be exercised for the protection of one’s family, property and country.
A. Rampersad, PhD

Second Amendment Coalition at Jupiter

Please join us in May for
Second Amendment Coalition of Florida, Inc

Mike Lameyer, Marine Corps Combat Veteran
&
Alison Rampersad, Vice President

The Second Amendment Coalition of Florida, Inc., is a local grassroots organization dedicated to the preservation of the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution. “A well-regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed”
Our mission is to inform, educate and advise citizens to the true meaning of the Second Amendment and advise them of any violations committed by our publicly elected officials and the media and noting its importance in America’s history and future. It is evident, from our forefathers’ writings, that the individual citizen’s right to keep and bear arms is a fundamental right to be exercised for the protection of one’s family, property and country.
A. Rampersad, PhD

Brian Mast at Boca Chapter

 

Boca Raton

Note: New Location The Boca Raton Public Library Downtown Library 400 NW 2nd Ave, Boca Raton, FL 33432

Wednesday, May 6, 2015

 

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