Magnolia Science Academy: Evidence of affiliation with the Gulen Movement

http://gulencharterschools.weebly.com/magnolia-science-academy.html

Magnolia Science Academy: evidence of affiliation with the Gulen Movement

The following article (English translation given below) appeared in the major Turkish daily newspaper Milliyet on August 27, 2010.  The original Turkish text, with accompanying photo of Fethullah Gulen, can be viewed at this link:http://www.milliyet.com.tr/walmart-tan-gulen-okullarina-bagis/guncel/haberdetay/27.08.2010/1281603/default.htm
Walmart donates to Gülen’s schools
The Walton family, founder of Wal-mart, the worldwide retail giant, has donated millions of dollars to schools considered to be associated with the Gülen community.
FOREIGN NEWS SERVICE
The 2007-2008 tax statements of the Walton Foundation revealed that at least 2 million dollars had been donated to six separate schools. Reports published on the official website of the Foundation also confirm the donations to these schools, which range between 150,000 and 250,000 dollars. The school that has benefited the most from the donations of the foundation is the Magnolia Science Academy in California. According to the documents of the foundation, a total of 1 million dollars was donated to different branches of the school in 2007-2008, in separate installments of 250 thousand dollars each. Turkish teachers’ names appear on the website of the Magnolia Science Academy.Distinctive curriculum
In the U.S., charter schools receive funding from the government, but they can offer distinctive curriculum remaining within the framework of the agreements made with the authorities.

Gulen Charter Schools in the USA: Gulenist Charter Schools asked to come clean by no...

Gulen Charter Schools in the USA: Gulenist Charter Schools asked to come clean by no...: "Sr. Reporter: Sociologist calls on Gülenist charter schools to come cleanSr. Reporter: Sociologist calls on Gülenist charter schools to come..."

Gulen Charter Schools in the USA: Gulen Charter Schools BOOMING h1-b Visa Fraud cont...

Gulen Charter Schools in the USA: Gulen Charter Schools BOOMING h1-b Visa Fraud cont...: "Watch these Videos below to learn about the h1-b Visa law and requirements. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=csg5nVo3TDU&feature=relat..."

Gulens Interfaith Dialog Foundation put up the initial $100K for the Magnolia Science Academys



Gulen’s Interfaith Dialog Foundation put up the original $100,000 to open these schools.  Here is their charter school application:

 http://laschoolboard.org/files/Item%205.%20Magnolia%20No%206.pdf

Magnolia’s 2010 request for $17 million construction loan

http://www.treasurer.ca.gov/csfa/staff/20100512/4_6.pdf

application

They are applying for the loan under MERF-here is their last 990 IRS return

http://www.guidestar.org/FinDocuments/2008/954/649/2008-954649884-04db70f9-9.pdf

pg. 8-   93a.  Management fees             646,201

pg. 17   Services & other Operating        263,891 

             Consulting services                 115,350

Suleyman, Why so many non-Educational expenses?  Follow the Money to Turkish Olympiads and Anatolia Festival. 

If the above PDF –IRS file doesn’t download, go to http://www.guidestar.com/ and register for FREE.   Examine the MANY Gulen School NGOs 990 IRS Tax Returns.  MERF = Magnolia Education and Research Foundation

I am no accountant but I think it is suspect when you have such high questionable expenses yet the textbooks and school supplies are so LOW.  It is very obvious these schools spend so much money on "appearances and marketing" but very little on the student's education.  Was some of this to pay for the elaborate Turkish Olympiad productions? Perhaps the Gulen sponsored Anatolia Festival?

The 990 IRS returns for  Magnolia Science Academy’s Willow Institute, Dr. Suleyman Bahceci the Superintendent of the West Coast Magnolia Science Academys (Pacific Technology and Bay Area Technology Schools)  takes out a personal loan:

 http://www.guidestar.org/FinDocuments/2008/061/708/2008-061708283-04c60576-9.pdf    Willow Institute appears to be the foundation created to oversee the laundering of funds for the Gulen Bay Area Technology Schools.

CALIFORNIA PEOPLE YOU MIGHT REMEMBER THE CALIFORNIA CHARTER ACADEMY THAT WAS CLOSED DOWN FOR $25 MILLION IN MONEY LAUNDERING, EMBEZZLEMENT AND RACKETEERING.

   

http://brockton.massteacher.org/charter_schools/california_csfraud.html#top

Latest Gulen Cry Baby Award goes to Magnolia Science Academy - Suleyman Bahceci

Another Gulen “Cry Baby” award to Suleyman Bahceci of Magnolia Science

Suleyman Bahceci doesn’t “get it”, the LAUSD didn’t notify him to bid on the new school because they don’t want Gulen Goons to operate any more American schools.   Suleyman starts off in the typical Gulen passive / aggressive fashion with implying LAUSD didn’t notify him of the bid opportunity then ends the article passively with “we have no one to blame but ourselves”  Are you kidding Suleyman?  Don’t you understand about our American culture and being snubbed?  They don’t want you and your indoctrination balony.  Your schools are NOT respected except for the PR and propaganda that you are paying for.  The reality is your schools STAR results are garbage and below average.  Your staff doesn’t address the ESL and special needs (hell most of your staff is ESL) and you have a high percentage of poverty and minority students.  While you are ignoring the culture of these Hispanic and African American Students and teaching them Turkish and preparing them for the Turkish Olympiads in the USA and in Turkey remember that all eyes are on you and your lackluster performance. 
READ here California STAR results, click on REPORT - majority of Magnolia Science Academys are Below Average: http://star.cde.ca.gov/star2010/OrgList.asp?type=School

Charter group no longer seeking new LAUSD campus

By Melissa Pamer Staff Writer

Posted: 12/01/2010 07:12:43 PM PST

Updated: 12/02/2010 09:15:14 AM PST

http://www.dailybreeze.com/news/ci_16753529

A respected charter management organization that runs a South Bay school has decided not to apply to operate a new Los Angeles Unified secondary campus in the Carson area.

Magnolia Public Schools, which runs 12 charter schools in Southern California, including Magnolia Science Academy - 3 in Carson, did not bid to run a new LAUSD secondary school that is under construction in Long Beach.

Noon Wednesday marked the deadline to submit applications to run 10 new and three troubled existing schools that are subject to the second round of the district's Public School Choice process, which allows outside groups to bid for educational control.

Magnolia's decision leaves two options in the running: plans from LAUSD and from a small Long Beach-based charter organization.

Magnolia Chief Executive Officer Suleyman Bahceci had said Monday that he intended to apply to run the new Carson-area campus. But he learned from a Daily Breeze article Tuesday that LAUSD's Local District 8 team had crafted a proposal with grades six through 12 at the campus, known as South Region High School No. 4.

That district plan was written in part because of demographic changes showing low enrollment potential for a high school.

"This is not a fair race. ... If I knew this, three months ago or from the beginning, I would have submitted a six-through-12 proposal," Bahceci said.

He said the district in late October e-mailed a general Magnolia address to inform the organization that a proposal for a middle school and a

high school was required. The e-mail was not sent to him or another Magnolia official handling the application, so the pair were unaware of the change, Bahceci said.

Bahceci stressed that he had a good relationship with LAUSD and was distressed only by the "unfortunate circumstances." He said he strongly supports a sixth-through-12th-grade campus.

"This is our fault. We are not looking for any guilty people," Bahceci said. "There is no blame here."

In a letter sent to LAUSD Superintendent Ramon Cortines Tuesday, Bahceci said Magnolia would "welcome any opportunity to support the development of SRHS#4" and would consider running just a portion of the school.

Dangil Jones, a teacher at Santee Education Complex near downtown who had expressed interest in running the school, likewise said she had decided not to apply.

In addition to a plan from Gardena-based Local District 8, an application was submitted for MATTIE Academy School of Change by a group that operated a short-lived charter in Long Beach.

A community advisory vote on the two remaining options is expected in January, followed by a final Board of Education vote on the proposals later that month.

SEE this blog for another Gulen "Cry Baby" Award
http://gulencharterschoolsusa.blogspot.com/2010/11/matt-yapanel-lotus-school-for.html

Magnolia Science Academy- American Teachers in LA are you part of the massive layoff?

Experienced Teachers fight back, look out Magnolia and the other Gulen Schools, we will no longer tolerate you bringing in Gulen labor for cheap to only take our jobs.  We are winning and you will lose.  This is America not Turkey - go home and fix your education problem there. 

Teachers in LA County read about your upcoming lay offs

http://www.workers.org/2010/us/teachers_1125/

Why is it that the foreign Gulen Movement that manages over 150 Charter schools in the USA continues to falsely obtain h1-b work visas for un qualified teachers from Turkey / Turkic speaking countries?  In the Los Angeles County the Gulen Schools are called Magnolia Science Academy.   Read the h1-b Visa report below, they are claiming they cannot find math, science, computer and English teachers in the USA.  These schools have recently been busted in Ohio for hiring foreigners via the Concept Schools.  http://www2.nbc4i.com/news/2010/nov/23/public-charter-school-funds-under-scrutiny-ar-301282/

H1-b Visa info here:  http://www.h1bwage.com/index.php?q=science%20teacher

In fact, did you know that the Cosmos Foundation part of the Gulen Movement has immigrated more foreign teachers in than the largest school district in the USA.  Of course that would be LAUSD, who is allowing this? That number for Cosmos Foundation alone is over 1,100 h1-b visas since 2001 and Cosmos Foundation is only ONE of the Gulen Movement’s NGOs that are doing this.  Who is dismantling the American Education System so followers of Islamic Imam Fethullah Gulen can teach our children? http://perimeterprimate.blogspot.com/2010/07/gulen-schools-and-their-booming-h1b.html

Not only visas for teachers but now they are getting h1-b visas for finance managers, business managers and legal counsel (as if America doesn’t have thousands of qualified people for these jobs)  http://gulencharterschools.weebly.com/importing-english-teachers-from-turkey.html

If you are a proud American Teacher and have been laid off, do what the teachers in Chicago and Ohio have done…………………………fight back against the Gulen Movement overtaking America’s education.     

http://www.magnoliascienceacademy.blogspot.com                                    http://www.charterschoolscandals.blogspot.com                                                           http://www.gulencharterschoolsUSA.blogspot.com                                                                           http://www.charterschoolwatchdog.com

Magnolia Science Academy you cannot get away with your game, we are on to you.  Stop hiring your buddies from Turkey and lying to the USCIS about the h1-b Visas.  There are plenty of GREAT Math and Science Teachers in the USA the are out of work. 

LA Teachers protest out side of LAUSD building, they will not succumb to the charter schools.

Gulen Movement sponsors the Anatolia Festival-Magnolia Science Academy students attend.





Kids from Magnolia Science Academy pose with some of the Anataolians in traditional dress
This costume reflects the Central Asia influence from the Mongolian invasions

Stage at the Anatolia Festival, note one of the sponsors is the Pacifica Institute.

In May 2010, the Anatolia Festival was held in Irvine, CA.  The students from Magnolia Science Academy were bus'd in to this event and spent an entire day there learning more about the Turkish culture from their Turkish Teachers.  This Festival is also talked about on the Today's Zaman website a media journal owned by the Gulen Movement.  It was also on Gulen Institute's web sites and had it's own stand alone web site,

Note: the sponsors on the Anatolia Fesitval web site are Pacific Institute, which also puts on the Turkish Olympiads for the Gulen Charter Schools and ERBU TV which is Gulen's own TV station.  There are many other sponsors that are affiliated with the Gulen Movement

http://www.anatolianfestival.org/

http://www.todayszaman.com/news-208418-101-gates-of-anatolia-opening-to-america-once-again-with-turkish-festival.html

http://www.fethullah-gulen.org/news/turkishfestival-ca.html

 ENJOY MORE PHOTOS OF THE KIDS AT THIS FESTIVAL:

More entertainment and Anatolia costumes under the Islamic Flags

What Turkish Festival wouldn't be complete without dancing

Magnolia Science Academy dba Dialog Foundation a Gulen Movement Organization

Ride the American wave on the West Coast with the Magnoia Science Academys



Gulen's Dialog Foundation put up the initial $100K to open the first Magnolia Science Academy in San Diego, CA (fdba Momentum Middle School)  Today they have branched out and some of the schools are called Pacific Technology and Bay Area Technology Schools.  The bulk of the schools are in the Los Angeles area there are 3 schools in Northern California.  1 in Santa Clara (Magnolia Science Academy)  that opened 2010, and Oakland (Bay Area Technology School)  and Fruitvale -near Sacramento (Pacifc Technology Schools).  Want to check out some of the salaries of the teachers, here you go.
http://www.salarylist.com/all-real-jobs-salary-at-dialog-foundation-dba-magnolia-science-academy.htm

Today, the schools in California have started to phase out the "Dialog Foundaton" because of it's religious tones to it.  They have now started more layers of the Gulen Foundations and Institutes around these west coast schools they are called:  Accord Institute, Pacifica Insitute, Gulen Institute, MERF (Magnolia Education Research Foundation) Willow Institute. 
Here is the H1-b Visa Requests for Magnolia Science Academys.  As a whole the Gulen Schools in the USA request mroe H1-b Visas for Teachers than the largest school district in America (LAUSD- Los Angeles Unified School District)   They claim they cannot find "qualifed" teachers for math and science in the USA and only unlicensed Turkish teachers can fill these positions.  I guess all those teachers in LA that are pink slipped because of schools closing don't matter.

http://www.h1bwage.com/index.php?q=science%20teacher

http://perimeterprimate.blogspot.com/2010/07/gulen-schools-and-their-booming-h1b.html

Music Class at Magnolia Science Academy with a rare FEMALE teacher in traditional muslim Hibjab

Magnolia Science Academy's Music teacher wears the traditional Muslim Hibjab

 

Gulen Movement Schools targeted by PKK

More at http://www.gulencharterschoolsusa.blogspot.com/

PKK will target Gulen movement

Photo: PKK propaganda poster (indymedia.org)Turkish newspapers reported that the PKK announced its readiness to act agains AKP politicians and associations related to the influential Islamic Gulen community. The Islamic preacher Fethullah Gulen has a big Muslim network in Turkey and outside Turkey with several NGOs, schools, and media. After the announcement, the Turkish police took precautions for security in the Kurdish populated southeastern city of Diyarbakir (Hurriyet, 21 April 2009). In the past several Gulen related organizations were targeted by the PKK and DTP supporters.

The PKK youth movement "Komalen Ciwan” called for revenge for the police operations against the DTP and ‘police brutality’ versus young Kurdish demonstrators. During DTP demonstrations several Kurdish children were wounded. The organization declared that the main target will be the Gulen movement and government related organizations.

According to the DTP/PKK the Gulen movement and AKP are behind the recent operations. PKK media argued that Gulen is behind ‘manipulated’ stories about the police operations. DTP politician Selahattin Demirtaş stated that “DTP is curious about the part Fethullahçılar have in the operation against DTP as there are sided stories aimed at manipulation of the truth appearing all over the Fethullahçı media despite the court decision on secrecy of the investigation” (Gundem Online, 19 April 2009). According to Demirtaş the Gülen media is ‘manipulating public opinion.

Gulen related newspapers reported that the the goal was to uncover the ties between the 'Kurdistan Democratic Confederation (KCK)' and the 'clandestine terrorist organization Ergenekon'. According to Gulen media Ergenekon is using the PKK to set up the right conditions to conduct a military coup against the PKK.

In the pro-AKP district Beyoğlu in Istanbul three bombs exploded at the same moment (ANF, 24 April). The district is known as fierce pro-government. In the Kurdish city of Siirt the military captain Çetin Ünsal (Yüzbaşı) died because of an explosion (ANF, 24 April). Also a village head was attacked in Siirt. Two people were wounded. (ANF, 24 April).

On Friday the DTP planned protests in Wan against the anti-DTP police operation and the violence of the police against children (ANF, 24 April). Several children were wounded during the demonstrations. The 14th year old Abdulsamet Erip died in a hospital (ANF, 24

Magnolia Science Academy - Bell, CA and their visit to Turkey

This is their 2009 visit to Turkey that was called "European trip".  Has anyone bothered to explain to these students that Turkey is NOT a part of Europe and will never be included into the European Union in the near future?
Human Rights and Civil Rights violations is the biggest reason why.  Maybe they forgot to mention to these students that this Grand Mosque was built by the Greek Orthodox that inhabited the land 12 centuries before the invasion of Ottomans from Central Asia Mongolia?  This Grand Mosque was in fact a Church called the St. Hagia Sophia before the Islamic regimes invaded and shamelessly converted it.
Today the St. Hagia Sophia has been converted into a museum with no mention of the first Christian inhabitants of a town called Constanipole now changed to Istanbul.
Learn about how it may not be safe for your children to travel to Turkey because of civil unrest.  Gulen schools in Turkey are being attacked and on 11/20/2010 there was another bomb attack in Istanbul.

Do you want your child in Turkey when some nut case decides to perform Jihad and strap a bomb to their back?       http://www.gulencharterschoolsusa.blogspot.com/

P.S. Question who pays for these trips to Turkey since 76% of the Magnolia Science Academy's students live below the poverty level.  If you are a California Tax payer look in the mirror.

Magnolia Science Academy, Reseda- Crackhouse, hobos and skid row OH MY

A crackhouse turned in to a school. Created in 2002, this "school" is located in Reseda, California. It is within 50 feet of a bar, 100 feet of the San Fernando Valleys version of skid row, and 200 feet from that crazy hobo that always talks to herself. It's run by a fat, ugly, always pregnant, Ms. "Kelly". Almost all the teachers are from Turkey, meaning they speak almost no english. The lunch area is a fenced of area of the parking lot. The security guard is 70 something years old. It is one crappy place to go to school. But it beats Muhualand by a long shot. Magnolia Science Academy is where all the dumbest, smart people go

 FROM A FORMER STUDENT.

Magnolia Science Academy - Part of the 153 Gulen Movement Charter Schools in the USA

Find out what else Islamic Imam Fethullah Gulen is brewing at:
http://www.gulencharterschools.weebly.com/
http://www.charterschoolwatchdog.com/
http://www.charterschoolscandals.blogspot.com/
http://www.gulencharterschoolsusa.blogspot.com/

Magnolia Science Academy-Charter Management Organization.

NOW HERE IS ISLAMIC IMAM FETHULLAH GULEN IN HIS MULLAH CLOTHING. 

Magnolia Schools charter management organization

Courtesty of Charter School Scandals

http://www.charterschoolscandals.blogspot.com/

Note: The Magnolia Schools are Gulen schools.

This post has four sections:

• Background information about the approval of a petition for a charter school in Santa Clara County, California. The school, Magnolia Science Academy – Santa Clara, is slated to open in Sunnyvale for the 2010-2011 school year and is currently enrolling students.
• Revealing excerpts from an email exchange sent to me by a reader who, as a prospective parent, was in communication with a representative of the new MSA-Santa Clara school.
• Evidence which clearly contradicts the representative’s statements.
• Why so much about Turkey and Turkish?

---------------
PART 1: Petition approved!
In July 2008, the San Mateo Union High School District rejected a charter school petition submitted by the Magnolia Educational and Science Foundation [aka Magnolia Educational and Research Foundation]. As the San Francisco Examiner explained:

In March 2009, three Magnolia Charter Schools were approved (5-2) by the Santa Clara County Board of Education.
But because the Magnolia Science Academy-Santa Clara (MSA) did not open as planned in fall 2009, the Santa Clara County Board of Education sent a Notice of Violations in February 2010. “Administration defers recommendation to the Board’s legal counsel.”
In April 2010, the board members reviewed the status of the charter school’s remediation of the violation and voted (4-2-1) to approve the recruitment and enrollment revisions.
---------------
PART 2: Answers given
This is a prospective parent’s May 2010 email communication with a staff member fielding questions about the school. Note the lines I've highlighted in bold.
From: PARENT
Subject: can we enroll?
To: santaclara@magnoliascience.org

From: B...@...

Hi,
We have no affiliation with the movement. Some of our staff may have unofficial affiliation with the movement, though we do not question our teachers' affiliations with any political party or religious organization…
I believe you are misinformed by internet conspiracy theories. Let me correct a few things you mentioned in your email…
1. There is no country as "Islamic Republic of Turkey." Turkey is a secular country about to join European Union… [According to the U.S. Department of State, Turkey is officially known as the Republic of Turkey and is 99 percent Muslim]
3. We have no affiliation to Beehive or Chesapeake so I don't know their case. I just checked on the internet and it says they were closed because they had low enrollment and not enough financial security…
6. Turkish language is only offered at one Magnolia school as an elective out of nine schools. And that was due to demand from parents. We offer Spanish as primary foreign language. Based on demand from parents we have opened Chinese, Japanese and French in some of our schools. 8 out of 9 of our schools have never offered Turkish language…

From: PARENT

From: B...@...

---------------
PART 3: Evidence clearly contrary to the staff member's claims
Eleven schools are listed on the home page of the Magnolia Schools Web site, two of which will be opened in the Fall of 2010. ALL of the active schools feature formal and institutionalized activities for students which give an intense exposure to Turkish culture and travel. I encourage you to follow the progressions and explore.
1. Magnolia Science Academy 1 – Reseda; Varol Gurler, principal

• Home page>Europe Trip: “MSA had a wonderful trip to Turkey with 4 students and 2 teachers during the spring break.”
• Home page>Arizona Trip and Turkish Contest [April 1-4]: “MSA had a trip to Arizona with 13 students, 3 parents and 4 teachers for four days during the spring break. We went to Grand Canyon. The following day we went to Phoenix for the Turkish Competiton [sic]. Our students competed in poem, skit and special talent categories.”
• Gallery>2008 Turkish Olympiads, 16 pictures
• Documents>After School Programs>Turkish club with Mr. Yilmaz

----
2. Magnolia Science Academy 2 – Valley; Erdal Kocak, principal

• Social/Fun Clubs> “TURKISH CLUB - Students will have the opportunity of learning Turkish culture beside Turkish language and songs. Students will taste various Turkish food, make cultural filed [sic] trips and watch movies.”
• Gallery>2007-2008 Album>Trips>Turkish Class Six Flags
• Gallery>2009-2010 Album>Trips and Camps>After School Clubs>Turkish Folk Dance Club
• Trulia.com review for MSA2: “…They have a good foreign language program which includes Spanish, Turkish, and Russian…”

----UPDATE: 2/28/2011 ERDAL KOCAK WAS A TEACHER AT THE GULEN ISEK COLLEGE IN MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA HERE IS HIS PHOTO AND BIO

Mr Kocak commenced working at ISIK College in 2001 as the Principal, in charge of the Secondary Girls section. In 2002, he was appointed as the Principal in charge of Secondary Boys, Secondary Girls, as well as Primary school section. In 2006 he was appointed as the Principal of ISIK College Dandenong campus

3. Magnolia Science Academy 3 – Carson (formerly Gardena); “Matt”/Metin Demir, principal

• Left vertical bar>Turkish Contest: April 3-4th Mesa Arts Center In Phoenixs [sic], AZ Thanks to all the students that participated! Our trip to Arizona headed out Friday, April 2nd at 9a.m. The weekend was full of not only Acticvties [sic] during the Contest but also visiting the Grand Canyon, Raw Hyde, and Flagstaff. Students enjoyed sight seeing, Snow Ball fights, and Go Cart Racing. Nevertheless the Turkish Language & Performing Arts Contest was the highlight and main event of our trip. We had a total of 11 participants representing our school this year…Our very own [student name] won First Place in the Special Talent Category. Five states participated in the West Coast and we had the only winner in the state of California! Lets [sic] all congratulate everyone that participated.
• Left vertical bar>Anatolian Festival>Gallery page labeled “Anatolian Cultures and Food Festival,” 34 pictures
• Gallery>2009-2010 Albums>Turkish Language & Art Contest, 43 pictures
• Gallery>2009-2010 Albums> Europe Trip 2010, 85 Pictures: Photographs reveal a trip to Turkey, complete with minarets and a Turkish flag flying on a pole (see image above).

----
4. Magnolia Science Academy 4 – Venice; Mustafa Sahin, principal

• Msa4 News, April 2010>Page 5>Arizona Trip: “The ext [sic] day, early in the morning, we went to the Mesa Art Center to watch the Turkish contest. Our friend November participated in the contest. She sang a Turkish song and we supported her.” And “On the last day, we watched the finals of Turkish Contest and many students performed singing, dancing, skits and poetry. That was unforgettable!”
• Msa4 News, April 2010>Page 6>Europe Trip: “The Europe Trip was an unforgettable journey to France and Turkey. The students went there over Spring Break. They flew into France, and stayed there for two days. On the second day, they headed to Turkey by flying over Europe. It was a total of eleven days and packed with many events to do and see. There was also a choice of just going to Turkey for nine days. Mr. Gurcan arranged all the trip details…After Paris they took a flight to Turkey, Istanbul for three days. They stayed at Ufuk School…They took another flight to Turkey, Izmir and stayed there for two days. They stayed at Marla Hotel. While they stayed at Marla Hotel they met the parents of one of the teachers from MSA6, Mr. Koray…
• From Trulia.com reviews for MSA4: "…They have Turkish, Ethics and Art classes too. Many of the teachers are Turkish. They go on field trips every month. There is also a yearly trip to Europe and Turkey…"and "…I don t [sic] like how many Turkish teachers there are because some of their accents are hard to understand..."

----
5. Magnolia Science Academy 5 – Hollywood; Dr. Suleyman Karaman, principal

• Gallery>Year 2008-2009>Europe Trip>Turkiye, 21 pictures)
• Gallery>Year 2008-2009>Trips>Anatolian Cultures and Food Festival, 31 pictures
• After School>Club Descriptions: “TURKISH CLUB Students will have the opportunity of learning Turkish culture beside Turkish language and songs. Students will taste various Turkish food, make cultural filed [sic] trips and watch movies.”
• Documents>December 2009 Newsletter>MSA Student Parent Handbook: “Europe trip is scheduled for the spring break, in between March 25 and April 5. For more information, please see Mr. Emin”*
• Documents>MSA Student Parent Handbook: “Field Trips offer exciting ways to learn. MSA students will have the opportunity to go on field trips at various times throughout the school year. MSA plans many field trips, weekend getaways, summer camp, and our infamous Europe Trip during spring break.”

----
6. Magnolia Science Academy 6 – Palms: “Ike”/FNU Ozis, principal**

• Gallery>Europe Trip 2010, 10 Pictures: Photographs of kids standing in front of famous French and Turkish landmarks
• Gallery>Arizona Trip 2010, 12 Pictures: Photographs of kids doing various activities along with a photo of students on stage at the Turkish Language Institute sponsored Turkish Language & Performing Arts Contest.
• Documents>MSA Student Parent Handbook (same as above for MSA5): “Field Trips offer exciting ways to learn. MSA students will have the opportunity to go on field trips at various times throughout the school year. MSA plans many field trips, weekend getaways, summer camp, and our infamous Europe Trip during spring break.”

7. Magnolia Science Academy – San Diego: “David”/possibly Durmush Yilmaz

• Gallery>Field Trips and Camps>Turkish Cultural Trip (Jan ’08), 19 pictures: Photographs of a small number of kids (6) on an outing to a beach and eating in someone’s home (Turkish-style floor seating around a short table)
• Gallery>Field Trips and Camps>International Trip (Apr ’08), 27 pictures: Photographs of kids (same three students) posing at famous Turkish landmarks
• Gallery>Academic Activities>Turkish Language & Performing Arts Contest (Apr ’10), 30 pictures

----
8. Magnolia Science Academy 8 – Bell (LA County): Opening in 2010-2011
----
9. Magnolia Science Academy – Santa Clara: Opening in 2010-2011 Timur Saka was selected as Principal Timur (Tim) previously worked at the Magnolia schools in Los Angeles and helped to set up the other Gulen Charter schools in Utah and Colorado.  Beehive Science Academy and Lotus School for Excellence. 
----
10. Pacific Technology School – Orangevale*** (Sacramento County, opened September 2009)); Mahmut Altun, principal.  Mahmut Altun is the former Gulen Foundation PASIAD in Indonesia that oversees all Gulen interests (Schools and cultural events)  in 2007 he contributed to a paper about the Gulen Movement in SouthEast Asia..  http://www.rsis.edu.sg/publications/WorkingPapers/WP160.pdf

• After School>Academic Clubs & Teams: “TURKISH CLUB Students will have the opportunity to learn Turkish culture and language. Students will taste various Turkish foods, go on cultural field trips, and watch movies.”

This is how Mahmut signs his e mails:
Sincerely
Mr. Mahmut ALTUN  MS, MaEd.
Principal
Pacific Technology Charter School
Phone 916.293-8611
Fax 916.293.8609
6550 Filbert Ave
Orangevale, CA 95662
http://www.ov.ptscharter.org/
                “Inspiring students to choose career paths in Science and Technology”
----
11. Pacific Technology School – Orange County***; “Steven”/FNU Keskinturk, principal

• Gallery>Europe Trip, 51 pictures: Photographs of kids posing at famous French and Turkish landmarks and eating a meal “Turkish-style.”
• Gallery>Trip to Anatolian Festival, 27 pictures: Photographs of kids posing at famous French and Turkish landmarks and eating “Turkish-style.” [it appears the Anatolian Cultures & Food Festival was sponsored by the Pacifica Institute]

*NOTE: Images of the Europe trips never include countries other than France and Turkey
**FNU = first name unknown
***These schools earned the classification of Statewide Benefit Charter schools. From the California Department of Education: "The State Board of Education may authorize a five-year charter for the operation of a charter school that will provide instructional services of "statewide benefit" that cannot be provided by a charter school operating in only one school district, or only in one county. Statewide benefit charters must adhere to all other charter laws with the exception of geographic limitations. They must open at least two new sites/schools in different counties in areas with struggling schools. After the first two sites have operated for two years and met performance objectives, operators may open two additional sites each year."
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…Some of our international teachers are Turkish. They probably organize cultural events with Turkish food. But I am very sure there is no religious concept mentioned or discussed with students. Baklava and shish kebab hardly constitutes a cultural enforcement…

Thank you for your reply, but we were told that the Gulen schools teach Turkish language, dance, singing - they have a Turkish American Club and then take a Trip to the Islamic Republic of Turkey…

even though the school is run by the Gulen Islamic movement, we are a Christian family would it be OK to enroll our children?

“Undeterred by the district decision, the Magnolia Foundation turned to the California Board of Education and received authorization to open 10 new charter schools anywhere in the state during the next six years. The foundation can locate its schools within any district without seeking approval at the local level, according to Joseph Hurmali, the foundation’s president.” [Joseph Hurmali may be an AKA for Huseyin Hurmali who has "led many study tours to Turkey" including this Gulenist promotional tour.]

Magnolia Science Academys- The map rapid expansionism in the USA

Magnolia Science Academy: Evidence of Affiliation with the Gulen Movement

Magnolia Science Academy: evidence of affiliation with the Gulen Movement

The following article (English translation given below) appeared in the major Turkish daily newspaper Milliyet on August 27, 2010.  The original Turkish text, with accompanying photo of Fethullah Gulen, can be viewed at this link:
http://www.milliyet.com.tr/walmart-tan-gulen-okullarina-bagis/guncel/haberdetay/27.08.2010/1281603/default.htm


Walmart donates to Gülen’s schools

The Walton family, founder of Wal-mart, the worldwide retail giant, has donated millions of dollars to schools considered to be associated with the Gülen community.

FOREIGN NEWS SERVICE

The 2007-2008 tax statements of the Walton Foundation revealed that at least 2 million dollars had been donated to six separate schools. Reports published on the official website of the Foundation also confirm the donations to these schools, which range between 150,000 and 250,000 dollars. The school that has benefited the most from the donations of the foundation is the Magnolia Science Academy in California. According to the documents of the foundation, a total of 1 million dollars was donated to different branches of the school in 2007-2008, in separate installments of 250 thousand dollars each. Turkish teachers’ names appear on the website of the Magnolia Science Academy.

Distinctive curriculum

In the U.S., charter schools receive funding from the government, but they can offer distinctive curriculum remaining within the framework of the agreements made with the authorities.