Small school wins big in penmanship competitions

Penmanship.

My kids learned a heck of a lot in third grade. They had multiplication and division -- a huge mathematical step. There was a very large unit involving studying a particular foreign culture. The kids all wrote their first real research papers that year.

And then there was the ludicrous amount of time everyone spent learning how to write in cursive.... A skill that next-to-nobody will ever use after 6th grade, the sole exception being when they sign personal checks.

It's not that penmanship is in itself a bad thing. As a priority, though? No. Not high on the list at all.

speaking for darian, as one who has actually left... they do not hold you against your will. Chof allows you to leave or come back whenever you like. Besides the fact that they are a communist community, they are not a cult. There is no brainwashing, no more child abuse (at least for the past 15 years), no holding against their will. They simply strongly believe in what DOA (Donald Alsbury) has been teaching them for so many year.
If there was this abuse that the newspapers say every so often, I would definately be against it (the abuse... chof), but in fact... there are some really good people there, and it is none of our business sticking our noses in places it doesn't belong, such as the beliefs of these people. They are not breaking any laws that I know of. They should be just left alone. For one, my parents are there, still living in that community. My dad is almost 75. still working long hours trying to provide for his family and friends, even though chof is 18 million dollars in debt. Chof isn't the worst place in the world. However, it is true that they completely miss the part about preparing you for real life. The give you no knowledge about buying a car, dealing with insurace officers, the law as it applies to you, credit cards, sex (in general or education), employement, or basically anything that allows you to support yourself. They do, however teach you the skills in which you are able to build on and succeed in your life.

Those of you that also have left this community need to stop being disrespectful of their choices and beliefs. Live your life like you want, and let them do the same.

Amy wrote:

A friend of mine was in CHOF as a child and most of the abuse u read is real. It is definetly a cult and someone should help the children get out of there. It is brainwashing.

Well... I left Chof when I felt like it, Granted I'm not even 30, but I never heard or witnessed any brainwashing or child abuse. Your outside perspective was coming straight for the stories of your "friend". I'm definately not a part of them now, but I know that there are good and kind people who are still a part of CHOF and that you shouldn't write on something you don't know about.

M Crasherfan wrote:

Sounds like a nice school--they probably teach the kids something.
Bet they do it for a lot less than the $16,000 per student per year the St. Paul public schools spend to achieve a 50% drop-out rate.

As a matter of fact, for the less than 150 students in that school, it actually costs the CHOF community just under 7 grand a year. There are things that they miss out on though, such as a good set up class/system that prepares you for college or even finding a job after HS.

Really Concerned wrote:

I have been researching this group, and I believe everything your still fear riden comments mentions. I have read articles by the Star Tribune of members that have left, and you are absolutely right. Here in MN we need to send the message that we do not allow our children to be abused into submission to break their will. You need to contact an advocacy group like "Windows" or something, and you must have facts and stick to them. Although it is emotional, and tragic, you have to help the others see that they can leave if they want! There is hope to getting out.
I only hope if Alsbury isn't convicted here on earth, that he will soon meet his maker! I do not want to be a mouse in that corner when he must account for his life!

Here's an idea.... let's only talk about stuff we know. How about that, huh?
For starters, I was in CHOF from the day I was born until I was 21. There are definately flaws with this community, but there are flaws all throughout the US and the world. Why is it any of your business what they beleive in? I know plenty of people that still live and go to this commnity/church. They are decent people. Our friendship has been terminated since then, but they are still decent people.
For every single day of my 21 years in CHOF, I knew that I had the freedom to leave when or if I wanted.
I've experienced it... my experience wasn't always plesant, but that doesn't mean that these people are bad.
I can't speak about before I was alive and aware of my surroundings, but since then I can assure you that no children have been beat, no brainwashing has taken place.
For instance, the pastor (at age 75 or 76 now) said in the middle of one of his long sermons that he would help move out anyone that wished to do so. There would be no harsh feelings, bad will, or regret. He would simply respect the decision as just that: a decision. And as someone who talked to Donal Alsbury the day that I decided to leave CHOF, I experienced just that. He didn't cry, beat me, or try to brainwash me. He simply said that he didn't agree with my decision and hoped that I would still talk to him. It may have taken him 20 minutes to say it, but that's the basics.

I don't always agree with these people or their beleifs (obviously... otherwise I'd still be there), but again, these are decent people who simply believe strongly in their religion. Leave them alone.