Governor Abbott has signed a proclamation declaring June 9th, 2015 as Leeper Day. Leeper is the Texas Supreme Court Decision, signed on June 9th 1994, that established home schools as unaccredited private schools in Texas. Prior to the Texas Supreme Court Decision, parents were subject to arrest for homeschooling. Now children have gone from hiding in their homes during school hours to enjoying Homeschool Days across Texas, including Six Flags, Moody Garden, NASA and other educational and fun places. Many groups across Texas will be celebrating Leeper Day in public places.
It is estimated that nationally nearly 2.2 million children as being homeschooled and in Texas, homeschools have been legally recognized as private schools as long as a homeschool uses a written curriculum and teaches the five core subjects of reading, grammar, math, spelling and good citizenship.
Nita Davidson with the Texas Home Educators (THE) and the Georgetown Christian Home Educators (GCHE) asked that Williamson County consider proclaiming June 9th, 2015 as Leeper Day in Williamson County. THE is a 501c3 nonprofit statewide homeschool organization whose mission is to help home education grow in Texas as they nurture and cultivate the grass roots of home education. GCHE is a group of Christian families interested in providing a Christ-centered education in the home. GCHE supports Christian homeschoolers in the Williamson County area with family events, field trips, P.E. classes, library days, special nights for Mom, and much more.
THE and GCHE are planning a celebration of their freedom to home school at Champion Park, (3830 Brushy Creek Road), in Cedar Park from 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. on June 9th. They will have free lunch, snow cones and popcorn as well as fun activities to do at the park: playscape, trails, climbing rocks, fishing, and games.
Sponsors for the event to date include;
McD's Pest Control, Commissioner Lisa Birkman, State Representative Marsha Farney, Williamson County Republican Party, Chick-fil-a of Georgetown, Commissioner Val Covey, Arctic Wolfe Ice Vending, Shakes Frozen Custard, State Representative Tony Dale, Texas Home Educators, and Georgetown Christian Home Educators.
|