What people are saying:

• Facebook User: Is it ok to share that with our school.system?
  • Secular Education Association: Facebook User yes, go right ahead. Thank you for asking.
• Facebook User: This makes me so angry. They just implemented the program at our school. My daughter was asking me to sign her up, rather than just saying absolutely not I asked her why she wanted to attend and did she know what it was for. She said because all her friends were and she got to miss school. 🤦🏼‍♀️ it was a nice learning opportunity opened by the conversation though.
  • Facebook User: Facebook User and what child wouldn’t want to miss school and get gifts…
  • Facebook User: Facebook User agreed 👍🏼
• Facebook User: This reminds me of all the vacation Bible Schools back in the day. They targeted all the poor, low income neighborhoods and provided transportation. We all went because we got hot lunches, ice cream, free t shirts, and had a day camp just like the other side of the tracks.
  • Facebook User: Still happening!
• Facebook User: What is the problem here? Genuinely.
  • Facebook User: Samantha Garner this can be considered bribery to keep teachers complacent with their students being removed from classes for this. Often times from specials where they already have limited time each week.
  • Facebook User: Samantha Garner see comment above, not sure why it didn’t tag you
  • Facebook User: Facebook User Oh, okay. Thank you for the response. That’s kind of silly… it seems rather kind to me, and if it was anyone else besides a Christian group… it’d be considered a sweet gesture IMO.

    I’m not being sassy or mean, btw!! Just stating my thoughts 🙂

  • Facebook User: Samantha Garner it’s definitely one of their less overtly bad things they do, but still feels icky since not every teacher is a Christian (FOR GODS GLORY is agressive) or okay with this program taking students from class. Many don’t have a choice.
  • Facebook User: Samantha Garner This is clearly their way to encourage teachers to gently encourage students to sign up. And Lifewise does give students things like shirts, candy…..I was on a zoom call where board members, superintendents, teachers and parents from schools already impacted shared their experiences. Many reported kids returning to school showing off their gifts and inviting, some with actual Lifewise provided invites, their classmates to join them. In some instances those declining were told they were sinners and going to hell. I don’t blame the young children….they don’t know better…but I do blame Lifewise. I read somewhere on their webpage…when I first heard of this…saying they were trying to reach children whose parents haven’t introduced their kids to the church (not exact wording) or maybe have but not THEIR church teachings…..it clearly doesn’t belong in public schools and is absolutely disruptive. But not yet an actual issue in Sycamore and hopefully will stay that way. Think about this as merely a separation of.church and state issue…it would be no different if it was a Jewish or Muslim group trying to push their way into public schools
• Facebook User: If you do NOT attend likewise you can NOT have any pudding!
  • Facebook User: Facebook User how can you have any pudding if you don’t go to Life Wise?🤣🤣
  • Facebook User: Idk apparently they buy lunches for students who attend? It’s a jk btw
  • Facebook User: Facebook User oh I giggled as I replied.
  • Facebook User: Facebook User pizza every Wednesday for Elgin students in Marion Ohio. We watch them carry it in every week.
  • Facebook User: Facebook User elementary age??
  • Facebook User: Facebook User 2 and 4 grade
  • Facebook User: Facebook User nice 😂
  • Facebook User: Facebook User I didn’t realize it was in Marion County elementary buildings 😢
  • Facebook User: Facebook User as far as I know it’s just in Elgin elementary.
  • Facebook User: Facebook User it’s coming to older grades at RV
  • Facebook User: Facebook User so wrong
• Facebook User: In the District that we live in gifts can only be valued under $20. I have read other schools putting rules in place that disallow any food or tangible items inside the building from religious groups.
• Facebook User: What a justifying day it will be but also a sad day when the scandals come to light. Facebook User will unravel eventually Facebook User 🙏🤡
• Facebook User: Probably a free Chick fil a lunch 🙄 Birds of a feather…
• Facebook User: NOPE
• Facebook User: Facebook User
• Facebook User: Gross
• Facebook User: Continued bribery
• Facebook User: Bribery
• Facebook User: Fucking gross