Utah Parents United Official Statement Supporting American Founders and Constitution Month!9/10/2023
 Last Thursday, August 31, 2023, a Press Conference was held in the Capitol Rotunda kicking off September as American Founders and Constitution Month. Governor Cox issued a proclamation declaring the State-wide focus. His proclamation included recognizing that it is essential for our rising generation and citizens of all ages to understand our history and form of government so it can be honored and perpetuated; the fact that the genius of the Constitution is federalism, which is its ability to decentralize power between the state and federal government; and an invitation to all public and private education institutions to recognize and observe September as American Founders and Constitution Month by reading from the Constitution and original documents and to teach principles from the United States Constitution. He ended with three key invitations that every one of us can participate in this month: (1) flying our national flag and engaging in patriotic activities, (2) educating ourselves about our U.S. Constitution, and (3) acknowledging and expressing gratitude to God for His hand in our nation’s origin and destiny, thereby qualifying us for the promise of the psalmist: “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord” (Psalm 33:12). Among other speakers, Superintendent Sydnee Dickson shared the new Constitution Fitness Award recently finalized by the USBE that will apply to grades Kindergarten through 5th grade. This innovative new program correlates with current civic standards for each grade and gives students the opportunity to earn badges each year as they complete specific Constitution-related requirements. We’d like to specifically thank Representative Keven Stratton and Senator Ron Winterton for their work sponsoring HB 179, which provided the legislation to designate September as American Founders and Constitution Month, and specifically highlight September 17 as Constitution Day for the State of Utah. We are grateful for their important work to invite all adults and children to read from and be taught the principles of the United States Constitution on an ongoing basis. At Utah Parents United, we applaud efforts to promote and increase awareness of our nation’s Constitution and to help our children understand the importance of the foundation of our country. We encourage parents to take advantage of the many events happening this month, and to take time with your children to discuss the importance of the Founding Fathers and Mothers and documents of our country!  Thank you to Stewart Campbell, our Weber chapter leader, for the below information.
Weber parents, did you know that on the average Weber resident pays over 50% of their property taxes to Weber School District? Did you know they are proposing an increase this Wednesday evening? If you have opinions on how WSD should be spending your tax dollars in public education, come to the Truth in Taxation Hearing. The Board meets at 6pm and then the taxation hearing happens at 7pm. Come attend both and let your voice be heard. WEDNESDAY, Aug 3, 2022 Weber School District Truth In Taxation Hearing will be held at Weber School District Main Office 5320 S Adams Ave Parkway South Ogden, UT 84405 Make sure to BE EARLY to sign up for public comment. BIG DAY TODAY MONDAY FEB 28th  Utah Parents United Opposes HB 422 which allows a School Board to decide if they want 16-17 Year Old Children Voting in School Board Elections.
What problem are they trying to solve? Young voters are not engaged in the democratic process. During the pandemic policies were being put in place that had the greatest impact on their lives and they had no voice. Is this the best way to solve this problem? NO! If we want younger voters involved in the democratic process it is the responsibility of our local government and parties to engage 18-year-olds through programs and groups like the Young Republican, Democrat, and Libertarian clubs. A college campus is not a politically neutral zone. What a great place to have these types of debates and conversations. By state law high schools are to remain politically neutral. By involving students in elections we risk jeopardizing that neutral environment. Although school board positions are non-partisan the issues are highly political. High Schools are not appropriate places for potential campaigning. It's hard enough for adults not to vote on name recognition. For most 16 -17 year Olds there is an even greater risk for that to occur. If kids are going to vote then they need to be legally responsible for their actions. If they're not old enough to be legally responsible for their actions they are not responsible enough to vote. 16 and 17 year-olds have a responsibility to their academics and need to focus on graduating high school. What we suggest instead: The USBE is currently revising our social studies curriculum and can add more information about the voting process, how we vote, why we vote and encourage high school students to look forward to when they turn 18 and are legally eligible to vote in their first election. School Boards can create opportunities for students to more fully participate in local school board meetings and share their perspectives. They can offer to run assemblies or create informative material to be passed out at the high schools to educate students on how their voices can be heard.  
WARNING EXPLICIT CONTENT:
Please visit the website www.StopUtahPorn.com. You will be able to see for yourself examples of “Sensitive Materials” located in Utah’s K-12 schools. What does HB374 do?
3 important bills are being voted on at 2:00 today in the House of Representatives. Please text your House Representative Now and let him/her know how you would like him/her to vote!
Find your House Representative Here: le.utah.gov (Click on "Find My Legislator," enter your address and click on your House Representative. Then text him/her how you feel!
CALL TO ACTIONEmail the House Government Operations Committee Members about HB209
HB209 Bill HighlightsWe are currently witnessing encroachment of the Federal Government into the Utah Education System. When Utah takes grant money from the Federal Government, the Federal Government then has control over how that money is used and starts to dictate what our teachers teach through that money. This bill would also "create the Federal Program Reserve Account to augment or replace federal funding that is rejected by the Legislature" to help make Utah self-reliant, allowing Utah to continue to teach its own curriculum and run its own programs without relying on Federal Money.
HB209 ensures that the powers of the state are not overrun by the federal government. Federal money has strings attached and we need someone to watch when that funding violates Utah law, so we can reject it. Call to Action!Email the House Government Operations Committee Members about HB209HB209 is in Committee Tuesday, February 22 at 8:00am
House Building - Room 30 (see map)
Bill Decription:This Bill creates a position to help parents and teachers who need help advocating for the needs of their children and students. This "Ombudsman" is a legal expert who can help parents navigate Utah Code and understand what the appropriate course of action is, or what help is needed given their situation.
This Ombudsman will also make "recommendations to eliminate barriers and obstacles to meaningful parent and community involvement in public education." CALL TO ACTION
House Government Operations Committee Members:Cory Maloy, Chair 801-477-0019 corymaloy@le.utah.gov Norman Thurston, Vice Chair 801-477-5348 normthurston64@gmail.com Walt Brooks 435-817-3530 wbrooks@le.utah.gov Jennifer Dailey Provost 385-321-7827 jdprovost@le.utah.gov Phil Lyman 435-459-2800plyman@le.utah.gov Michael Peterson 435-770-6925 mpetersen@le.utah.gov Val Peterson 801-224-4473 vpeterson@le.utah.gov Candice Pierucci 385-414-1488 cpierucci@le.utah.gov Stephanie Pitcher 385-272-8032 spitcher@le.utah.gov Steve Waldrip 801-389-9329 swaldrip@le.utah.gov Douglas Welton 385-999-0403 dwelton@le.utah.gov
What to do:
What NOT to do:
HB331 Bill Highlights
Description
Every Utah student is unique, and every student deserves an education that will prepare them for a bright future.
The Utah Hope Scholarship would allow every student to access the school, services, and tools that best meet their individual learning needs. Families would be able to apply scholarship funds ($3,000 – $8,000 depending on income) towards educational expenses such as homeschool costs, tutoring, education pods, online programs, private schools, etc. The past two years have shown us Utah students need more options. The Utah Hope Scholarship will ensure that every kid regardless of income or zip code can get the quality education he/she deserves. Utah Parents United supports HB331 and believes that parents are the primary stakeholders when it comes to their child education. The Hope Scholarship allows parents the freedom to take charge of their child's education by giving them expanded education options that will best support the unique needs of their child. Text BILLS2022 to 53445 to receive text updates on HB0331
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GET INVOLVEDPaid for by Utah Parents United. Utah Parents United is a 501 c4 non-profit organization and all donations are not deductible for federal tax purposes.
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