From the Mountain Park Parent/Student Handbook, Page 11:

Family medical emergency or death in the family: “In the unfortunate event of a medical emergency or death within a family, it will normally be expected that the pastoral staff of MPBC be allowed to inform the student.  This will be accomplished in a caring, prayerful way which will provide necessary information without creating an opportunity of the student’s emotional manipulation of the family.  Whether or not a student should be brought home in such situations must be decided on a case by case basis.   However, this is generally strongly discouraged.  After all is said and done, if the student is not safe and secure in school, nothing else will matter.  The risk to the student’s opportunity to continue in school must be the first priority.” ....without creating an opportunity of the student’s emotional manipulation of the family. [In the unfortunate event of a medical emergency or death within a family.] After all is said and done, if the student is not safe and secure in school, nothing else will matter. The risk to the student’s opportunity to continue in school must be the first priority.

Of everything that I’ve read concerning Mountain Park Baptist Church and Boarding Academy, that statement, put forth by Mountain Park’s owners themselves in writing, is the most disturbing [and offensive] to me.

This is a post from a parent who read this statement:

My great grandfather died when I was in 8th grade, I was a young teen, and I can still vividly remember how much I relied on my family for comfort – how I was reassured that even during the most awful times of life my family would be there for me. It let me know that, as a family, we could come through ALL THINGS together – because there is nothing stronger than the love of family members who stay together during good times and bad.

Who is REALLY doing the manipulating of the parents? Is it REALLY the kids? 

Remember what those at Mountain Park are telling you should be your first priority when making very important and life affecting family decisions concerning the serious illness or death of a loved one:

The risk to the student’s opportunity to continue in school must be the first priority.

After all is said and done, if the student is not safe and secure in school, nothing else will matter.

(One has to wonder that if life and death situations are categorized in such a manner by those running MP, how are the everyday things in life “prioritized” and handled?)

What about the severe lifetime emotional impact that the death of a family member can have on a child? Where does that most important consideration fit in?

Consider the scenario that might be played out in the unfortunate event of a family medical emergency that looks as if a family member’s death is inevitable: If handled according to what is set forth in the handbook a situation might go something like this – this is purely hypothetical – and “Johnny” is a name that is not intended to bear any resemblance to any person, living or dead, it is just used in the hypothetical sense:

“It is unfortunate that Johnny’s daddy is on his deathbed, but what is most important is that Johnny be allowed to continue in school.  You know that HAS to be your FIRST priority, too – even though Johnny is your only child and you are going through a really rough time right now - you know that Johnny will most likely use this as an opportunity to emotionally manipulate the family.  We’ll tell Johnny in a kind and caring manner and pray with him when you notify us that his daddy has died – and we’ll give him the necessary details – those that we deem necessary - BUT - that is a decision that we will make ourselves – and you know that we strongly discourage your child returning home.... Don’t act surprised that we are requesting that you handle the situation in this manner; you were provided with a copy of our parent/student handbook and you know full-well what our policy is.”

WHAT IS THE REASONING BEHIND SUCH A POLICY? WHAT IS THE REAL THREAT TO A STUDENT BEING ALLOWED TO CONTINUE IN SCHOOL?

Here is a continuation of the parent's post from above:

If “school” had taken priority and I had not been allowed to return home prior to my great-grandfather’s death and had been told of his death by somebody other than my grandmother or mother or some other close relative, so that I could have my questions answered, and had I not been allowed to attend his funeral, I can tell you now, over 30 years later, that I would certainly have been emotionally crushed and scarred  – it would have been one of the greatest offenses that I can imagine. I thank God that wasn’t even something that was worthy of consideration in my young life!!! My family knew what was important and didn’t need “hired hands” butting in and running the show and telling them what to do at such a delicate time as the death of a family member. I WAS TRULY BLESSED!!!

God established what a family should be: Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.  A child is made up of that ONE FLESH – JOINED to each parent 50/50. Children are God created and ordained!!! A family blessing!!! CHILDREN ARE NOT A CURSE AND ARE NOT TO BE CURSED!!!