Date: Mon, 14 Nov 1994 22:50:26 -0600 (CST) From: Kevyn Jacobs Subject: NEWS-TELEGRAPH: PHELPS GRANDCHILD WANTS SCHOOL CREDIT FOR PROTESTS FROM THE NEWS-TELEGRAPH NOVEMBER 11-24, 1994 REPRINTED WITH PERMISSION ------------------------- TOPEKA KS - KTKA TV Channel 49 in Topeka aired a story October 5 stating that the children of the Reverend Fred Phelps had applied for school credit for participating in their father's protests against Lesbians and Gays. The school district rewards students who volunteer for community organizations, churches, business or individuals by listing these activities on their transcripts as community service. But according to Joe Zima, the school district's attorney, it was not the Phelps' children, but one of his grandchildren, who applied for credit. Zima said the position of the school district, USD 501 in Topeka, was that student records, including their community service credit, was confidential, and that he was not at liberty to discuss the content of any student's official transcript. Zima said that in this particular case, the child's mother had already spoken to the media, and he was, therefore, willing to confirm that a request had been filed by one of Phelps grandchildren, and that the school district is considering it. "I can also confirm," Zima said, "that no decision has been reached at this time. When a decision is reached, the district will discuss the community service program and what requirements a student must meet in order to receive credit, but we will not discuss an individual student. Phelps is a minister at Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka and is best known for picketing Gay and Lesbian events and the funerals of those he believes have died of AIDS. His congregation consists mainly of family members, and the Phelps children and grandchildren are regular participants in his picketing efforts. ========================================================== Permission granted by the News-Telegraph for distribution to the EKS email list (equalityks@qiclab.scn.rain.com), and archiving in the Queer Resources Directory (QRD) on the Internet (http://vector.casti.com/QRD). For News-Telegraph subscription information (published twice a month), please call 1.816.561.6266, or email: newstele@aol.com ==========================================================