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Dear Marie,
Happy New Year to you, your husband and your son! Best wishes
for good health and happiness! I am sorry I did not write to
you earlier. I guess I was over whelmed by responsibility of
educating my son at home. Yes,Jonathon is at home since the end
of September, happily studying algebra, advanced vocabulary,
doing science experiments, reading books in Russian, reading a
lot, playing his violin and piano, as well as Nintendo, chess
and basketball. In October he started karate and is very good
at it. On January 20 he will be eight years old.
On the New Years Eve Jonathon played violin solo (Vivaldi Concerto in A Minor 1st movement) with the orchestra at the local
church as part of the community celebration. He is much happier
now gained some weight, grew some, laughs a lot, even sings sometimes!! I know that you, Marie, are happy to hear these news!
I am very thankful to you because you encouraged me to take him
out of school. It is very obvious he does not belong there and it
was damaging for him.
School District suggested afterschool enrichment Program for
Jonathon but I said that he needed "instead of school program"
His teacher was very understanding. Most people who know him,
but there are some who do not approve.
Once again, Marie, I want to thank you for all you've done for us
and to wish you and your family healthy and prosperous year.
LOVE by Jonathon's mom
PS God Bless you for
all you do for the
gifted and creative
children!
A mother from IL who came to me for
assistance through mail and phone
conversations . As soon as she studied
the packet she acted and became her son's
advocate!! I always feel so gratified
when I learn we have saved another boy
or girl from a life of despair and
anguish because of being gifted and
miseducated!!
Marie Friedel
Marie Friedel
Dear Ms. Friedel,
Thank you so much for the information. When I was in elementary school,
I was put in the program for gifted and talented children within my
School. The program only continued until 8th grade and was not
integrated in the classroom. From looking at my own life and observing
other gifted people, I realize the necessity of helping gifted people to
reach their potential. I am going to further research this subject.
Hopefully after I have finished my formal education, I will be able to
work with gifted children. Until receiving your information I did not
know there were so many needs regarding gifted children. Because a
basic goal of a social worker is to help people help themselves, I see
that there is definitely something I can do for this population. Thank
you again for your information.
Sincerely,
To: Marie Friedel
Dear Marie,
Thank you, thank you, thank you. I received your letter with
all the information this past Saturday. I stayed up all night reading it. You're a godsend. I saw many things that were familiar in
those pages. And I really haven't been able to talk to anyone who
can really understand. It's nice to know that there are other people
out there who are experiencing the same things that I am.
After reading all those pages and each case study, it amazed me
how this has been a problem with the education system for so many
years. There really aren't many places that are concerned with gifted
children. I myself have caused a little static in my district just
to find that it's a losing battle. It seems that they would simply
like to sweep this under the carpet as if it didn't exist. They
even tried to suggest that I was imagining things until I took my son
to a Ph.D.. It was as if they didn't want to deal with my son or me
for that matter.
Enclosed I am sending you a short profile on my son along with
other records. You will find that I made numerous mistakes in my
typing please disregard this. I would like you to read it, when you
have time of course. And give me your professional opinion as well
any advice you could offer.
I have taken my son out of school and enrolled him in a Home Base
Education Program, through Clonlara School in Michigan, They will be
helpful in dealing with my school district, considering that the district
isn't too fond me.
I have to tell you I really don't know what I am doing here, the
only thing that I am sure of is that I had to take my son out of school
before it destroyed him. I could actually see it coming. I really don't
know what level he is on per subject. Clonlara sent me a second grade
curriculum, although some of it I understand and know that my son has
mastered those things, still some of it seems like a different language
to me.
I have been sending letters all over to research, as well as learn
how to give this child of mine a proper education. I have received
catalogues, course curriculums that one could buy, all sorts of things
boosted toward education. But I haven't found too much on the Gifted
until I heard from you. I really must thank you again for sending me
all that material. It truly is appreciated.
Could you also tell me if your Foundation sells any materials,
such as magazines, books or anything that may help to educate? I am
not a teacher, and there is much I need to learn, and I am very scared
of making mistakes. Sometimes I think I am going crazy because this
isn't normal, and sometimes I just don't know.
Well Marie, I will close this letter now. But I have to say just
one more time, thank you, I am so glad I wrote to you, this past week
I have been bouncing around with joy. Thanks again and again. I hope
to hear from you soon, but take your time I don't want to rush you.
Sincerely,
My Dear Marie:
How can I ever thank you properly for all you have done
for the Langlois family? By your generous nature, you have shared
invaluable information with me regarding the Gifted/Creative
Children...tomorrow's only aspirants capable of resolving society's
mismanagement.·-the "Forgotten Children"
I realize I have only had the opportunity to read a fraction
of the material that currently exists concerning the Gifted/Creative
Child. And I am left feeling appalled that after all the years
you and your fellow advocates have dedicated to revealing the
plight of the gifted/creative child, pertaining to our public
education system, the tragedy is still apparent, even today.
Not only are the parents of these deserving children forced to
carry the burden of educating their child alone in accordance
with the individual child's preferred way of learning, but despite
all the documents made available to educators and doctors alike,
these same "professionals" seem to have chosen to deny the very
existence of the gifted and rather delight in obstructing the
parents' only objective: To inspire the child to reach his/her
full potential without forfeiting psychological safety in the
process.
Let me assure you Marie, I am not in the least dismayed -
I am entirely at ease with my decision to undertake a home education program for Matthew. And I have finally concluded my letter
to the Superintendent of Schools addressing the Attleboro School
Committee's Policy on Home Education. I believe I provided a
sufficient account of Matthew's history in the school system,
along with a detailed outline of my alternative program designed
to rebuild Matthew's self-esteem, as well as, rekindle his passion
for learning creatively.
When you review the enclosed copy of the letter, please
especially note the last page. I tried to be tactful, but, I do
hope the recipients in the school system can "read between the
lines" I absolutely refuse to accept any further intervention
or monopoly of my time by the Superintendent or the School
Committee---unless of course, the slightest possibility exists
that some person in the 'system' might be enlightened to the
plight of the gifted/creative student.
Although others may deem it practical that I devote all of
my time solely to assisting my own child in his quest for learning,
the challenge presented herein is too great to resist. I want to
become involved in the project Of chipping away at the ignorance
and indifference displayed by the majority of educators and
physicians (and let's not forget the politicians!) who believe in
the practice of mislabeling the creatively gifted and in administering drugs to quell their creativity.
I crave to learn more about the Work you have accomplished,
and accordingly, what remains to be achieved. I am eager to assist
you in any way that I can. Perhaps through my sincere efforts to
help change the public's mentality regarding their views on giftedness and creativity, I can at least begin to repay you for truly
changing our lives.
Incidentally, Matthew is doing fine! We refrained from
"working together" for almost a week, but he has now begun to
request that we do more "fun-work" (Matthew's own terminology)
like we used to. Last week, he familiarized himself with the
computer keyboard and managed to learn twenty-five new words
in the process. Since he left school, he nearly always wears a
smile and he appears to be adjusting well. He no longer complains
Of having stiff necks, headaches, or an upset stomach..
More news...By joining us in our "fun-work" sessions,
Monique has likewise learned to read and can add and subtract with
great ease!! It is wonderful to see the pride in the children's
faces when they accomplish something. Matthew has recommenced
Using his favorite phrase: "Mom, I've got a great idea in my
head!...· And now, thanks to your guidance, we ALL LISTEN.
Much love to you and Jack,
Suzanne
Roosevelt University
Ms. Marie Friedel
Dear Ms. Friedel:
I want to thank you for the materials you sent to
me regarding gifted children. I received them during
the Thanksgiving weekend. Your address plus three other
gifted organizations were listed in my textbook, An
Introduction To Special Education, by William H. Berdine
and 4. Edward Blackhurst. You were the first one to
respond to my request. Two others have been sent back
to me with 'addresses moved.' But my suspicion is that
these two organizations no longer exist.
In my research, and particularly since Reagan came
into office, I can understand your frustration in championing
for the rights or gifted children to received the appropriate
education they need.
I also thank you for your generosity for sending these
materials free of charge. Most student have limited budgets
and every little bit helps! You have helped me tremendously!
Sincerely,
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