April 27, 2022 Koppers Campaign Newsletter
Kristen Koppers for Regional Superintendent of Schools
I voted for Trump! You heard me right. I voted for Trump in 2016 AND 2020. If 2016 didn’t open our eyes, the “election” of 2020 surely did. That was the year that not only were questions about the federal race, but Illinoisans learned quickly how the Governor decided to make his own laws as well as coerced other agencies to follow his lead.
Schools that were once for learning soon turned against the parents. Legislators began to make ridiculous laws that public comment at a board of education meeting could turn a parent or stakeholder into a threat. The schools held our children against their due process by forcing masks, making healthy kids go to quarantine, and bribing them to get vaccinated. Over a year, parents fought for their child’s rights, to be heard and not ignored, and for the schools to follow the law. For two years, I fought against masks, against vaccinations, and against the tyranny that we have been subjected to. I refused to follow immoral acts. But most importantly, I was fighting to protect my child.
But we never gave up!
I am fighting because my voice was not heard. As a mother, I saw how much the schools were hurting our children. My son used to be interested in sports. After 2019 when the “almighty” decided to cancel sports, my son changed. His demeanor wasn’t the same. I saw the life he had just disappear before my eyes. As parents, we do not want to see our children hurting and will do anything to protect them. He gave up all sports, didn’t play with the neighbors, and was just alone.
I knew I had to fight for him and other children who needed a voice.
I continued to fight for him throughout the year. But with little help from local officials and legislators, we were at a standstill.
The fall of 2021 was bringing hope as we were told in July that masks would be optional. But that victory was short lived as August came around and another new mandate was “authorized” mandating masks, vaccines, and/or weekly testing. I knew then it was time to find an attorney who would help us. After months of searching and contacting over 10 attorneys, no one wanted to take the case. Finally, we found the one attorney who would help us fight for our lawful rights. I was the co-lead in working towards our children’s freedom for District 201.
AND WE WON! It took 700+ parents to make a difference. WE were able to fight back. But we cannot hold the Governor accountable for all this tragedy as the local school boards could not stand on their own two feet. The call I received from my son’s school district came an hour before the end of my day. I was told that my son was a “close contact” and he needed to be picked up immediately. My first question was asking if they had a court order signed by the judge and the health department, as I knew the law. They knew they didn’t have one. Instead of following the laws, the school principal threatened me with DCFS if I did not come pick up my child. Can you believe that? This is the fear the districts were instilling in parents. Threats against their own children.
This was a problem. The fact that she is using my child (and all the children) as pawns in their game of control was not something I was going to stand for. It didn’t take me long to figure out that the parents were alone to fight. In education, there needs to be an advocate for the parents and the students. In the educational District 24, we did not have an advocate.
I fought for Freedom in 2020. I fought for Rights in 2021. I will fight to be your advocate in 2022.
Donate / Volunteer: www.koppersforROE24.com
Best,
Kristen Koppers, NBCT, M.A.Ed.