Gaia Democratic K-12 School director Starri Hedges (female), also the teacher for the school's sex education class, has raised some parents' eyebrows after she led a group of "middle school and high school age" students on a field trip to The Smitten Kitten, which bills itself as a "progressive sex toy store for everyone". The 'Kitten sells a range of sex toys and leather products as well as books and DVDs. The store also offers workshops, like the kind the field trip students participated in.
Here's a "snippet" from the school's website, about why the name of "Gaia"
quote
At first it was ancient wisdom which stated that we are one with the universe, that everything is interconnected, that all is one.
Then later modern science caught up with this idea. Now quantum physicists say exactly the same thing – in a subatomic level everything is interconnected.
In the 1970s chemist James Lovelock formulated the famous Gaia hypothesis which proposes that all organisms and their inorganic surroundings on Earth are closely integrated to form a single and self-regulating complex system, maintaining the conditions for life on the planet.
Everyone is talking about the same idea, only from different perspectives. We add one more – a visual perspective.
This symbol is presented like a metaphor of us and our earth. It is a big organism and we, people, are parts of this organism; we are not separate. And the earth is also just a part of an even bigger organism. Our earth is like a tree with roots that extend to the vast cosmos. Everything is interconnected.
Reminds me of the Zen master who approached the vendor at a sidewalk hot dog stand and said "Make me one with everything."
According to the Star Tribune article, it states that "it is not clear whether any laws were broken". Well, regardless of your stand on whether kids should go to such a store, isn't it against the law to take students on a field trip without prior parent approval in Minnesota? My kids were not allowed off school grounds unless I gave written permission.
"Cult" school. The school is an offshoot of the Unititarian Church.
From the article: "Gaia is a K-12 school with a motto promising academic freedom, youth empowerment and democratic education. Parents say the school has about 25 students, including several described by administrators as transgender. IRS records show the school, housed in a Unitarian church on Mount Curve Avenue, has an annual budget of about $100,000."
the article does not say it is affiliated with the church, just that is uses the building.
As much as I'm all for advanced sexual education in younger years, this is just overboard. Even if she brought in a couple vibrators to show the class she didn't have to bring them do a sex toy shop that marks itself as progressive. That just screams of heavy kink.
We offer K-12 students individualized learning in an environment of empowerment, freedom & fun with an emphasis on cooperative & democratic methods. Unschoolers, homeschoolers, and free spirits are welcome!
dem·o·crat·ic [dem-uh-krat-ik] adjective 1. pertaining to or of the nature of democracy or a democracy.
2. pertaining to or characterized by the principle of political or social equality for all: democratic treatment.
3. advocating or upholding democracy ...
Gaia Democratic School is a 501(c)3 tax exempt, non-profit organization and all contributions are tax deductible. ... As a member, you receive discounts on all “Gaia Gear” and GDS events, and free access to our quarterly newsletter featuring student art and other GDS fun.
Dragon and Unicorn membership levels include a FREE T-shirt with your choice of our official logo (above) or our mascot the “Gaiacorn” (below). .
[This message has been edited by Formula88 (edited 06-03-2015).]
the article does not say it is affiliated with the church, just that is uses the building.
If it quacks like a duck and looks like a duck....IT'S A DUCK.
I'm sure the Catholic Church would house a Lutheran School. Or a Lutheran School would house a bunch of home schooled kids 5 days a week out of the kindness of thier hearts.
Look up the Unitarian religion's principals and beliefs and the schools beliefs....One in the same.
The shop is getting mild citiation... Why isn't the school being reviewed for revocation of it's charter?
You all know I am no prude, more a pervert than a prude and have been in more than one of those adult toy stores in my lengthy lifetime but never ever seen one that didn't have a sign out front that said " no one under 21", 18 at the very least in front. This place doesn't have one?
WTF is this teacher gay as well and maybe needed some new toys for her girlfriend or WTF ever they call each others significant other.
Steve
------------------ Technology is great when it works, and one big pain in the ass when it doesn't
Detroit iron rules all the rest are just toys.
[This message has been edited by 84fiero123 (edited 06-03-2015).]
