Local Parents React to National Day to Say 'No' To Common Core

Monday was designated as a national day for parents who are fed up with the new Common Core State Standards to "Just Say No."

According to a website, Say No To Common Core, the event is part of a national protest. Parents in states across the country who object to the new Common Core curriculum united to take their kids out of school for the day.
 
"We, the people, want evidence-based curriculum that is locally controlled and which does not require data mining our children," the website states. "Instead of sending your children to school on November 18, please educate them at home."

The site also urges parents to teach children about how to "protest peacefully within a democracy."

Locally, some parents kept kids home from school — while others opted for the normal routine.

"I am just tired of watching my children struggle with their homework. There are no textbooks. So we as parents can't learn this horrendous teaching style to help them at home. My kids used to love school. Now they are completely stressed out by it and they are only in the 2nd and 3rd grade," said Southold mom Dina Reilly.

Added Southold mom Mary VonEiff, "Most of Southold does not truly understand the impact of what Common Core is doing to our schools. People want to think, 'Oh, my kid is doing great in the math,' or that it is just about censoring books. This is so much bigger than that. It is about total control. And your kids are the prize."

Others felt differently. "I'm not keeping my daughter home," said Cutchogue mom Susan Tyler. "I don't know that I necessarily need her to learn about peaceful protesting at her age. And while I personally get the point of protesting, I'm not sure that I can justify it, to her, if she's having a hard time with some areas in school where she never has before. Skipping a day to send a message isn't necessarily the best solution."

Did you keep your child home from school Monday to protest the Common Core curriculum? Why or why not? Share your thoughts with Patch in the comments section.