KidsHappen Posted September 7, 2009 Share Posted September 7, 2009 They did send resources where families could watch it together is they wish, I think that his is the best way to handle it. Green Bay and Plano, TX are doing the same thing as I can imagine are many other districts around the country are. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muffinmom Posted September 7, 2009 Share Posted September 7, 2009 good for them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
calandalsmom Posted September 7, 2009 Share Posted September 7, 2009 Ours will not be showing it either. I expressed my displeasure to the school board. Our motto is Treat People Right and that should include showing the president the respect he deserves. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elizabeth Posted September 7, 2009 Share Posted September 7, 2009 I think our district made a wise choice leaving it up to individual teachers to assess whether or not it fit into the course and permitting any student who wishes to watch it may do so in the library where they have a big screen television. Seems appropriate and sensible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crissy Posted September 7, 2009 Share Posted September 7, 2009 Our district has this to say about the issue: “We believe that when the President of the United States addresses the country, the viewing of that address and subsequent discussion is an appropriate educational activity, so long as it fits within the educational objectives of the class. Whether the address is shown will be left to the professional discretion of the individual classroom teacher. If shown, each teacher is expected to ensure activities or discussions provide a balanced view of the issues and viewpoints. Advocacy for a particular political view is not permitted in the classroom. The President’s speech is not expected to be political in nature.†“Our classrooms are a place where we encourage the open exchange of ideas and viewpoints. Students benefit a great deal through the debate of ideas that impact them and the people around them. If we eliminate this open exchange, we will not be adequately serving our students. It is our hope that students will find our classrooms a place where open agreement and disagreement can take place regarding any number of important issues.†Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muffinmom Posted September 7, 2009 Share Posted September 7, 2009 I don't think the decision to not show it was an act of disrespect to the President. I take it as more of a nod of respect toward the true authority of children...their parents. Since there has been so much controversy, doing it this way takes the pressure off the school and gives the control to the parents, where it belongs. ETA: no one is banning anyone from viewing it...the school just decided not to be the provider. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NorthwestMom Posted September 7, 2009 Share Posted September 7, 2009 I think that turning a speech by the president directed at children into partisan politics is outrageous. I think that schools should allow the children to watch it and talk about the message afterwards. For pity's sake, he's not going to try to sell them healthcare reform or the repealment of the Defense Of Marriage Act. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoPlaceLikeHome Posted September 7, 2009 Share Posted September 7, 2009 I think that turning a speech by the president directed at children into partisan politics is outrageous. I think that schools should allow the children to watch it and talk about the message afterwards. For pity's sake, he's not going to try to sell them healthcare reform or the repealment of the Defense Of Marriage Act. :iagree::iagree: Gee he is our President after all and he is only going to encourage kids to do well in school. I would not have a problem with my son seeing any President of our dear country as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
calandalsmom Posted September 7, 2009 Share Posted September 7, 2009 I don't think the decision to not show it was an act of disrespect to the President. I take it as more of a nod of respect toward the true authority of children...their parents. Since there has been so much controversy, doing it this way takes the pressure off the school and gives the control to the parents, where it belongs. ETA: no one is banning anyone from viewing it...the school just decided not to be the provider. I think its a nod to partisan politics which are overshadowing common sense and common decency towards our nation's elected leader. God forbid our children hear a message of encouragement from their president without their parents' express permission. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chaik76 Posted September 7, 2009 Share Posted September 7, 2009 I think its a nod to partisan politics which are overshadowing common sense and common decency towards our nation's elected leader. God forbid our children hear a message of encouragement from their president without their parents' express permission. Agreeing with calandalsmom. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lori in tx Posted September 7, 2009 Share Posted September 7, 2009 I think that turning a speech by the president directed at children into partisan politics is outrageous. I think that schools should allow the children to watch it and talk about the message afterwards. For pity's sake, he's not going to try to sell them healthcare reform or the repealment of the Defense Of Marriage Act. I am agreeing with you, you can read the message on the white house website and I think it is actually a very nice speech, I really didn't want to like it but I think it is very good Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HappyGrace Posted September 7, 2009 Share Posted September 7, 2009 I believe the original problem with this was not the President addressing school children w/out parental permission, but rather was the class notes meant to go with it, which gave no doubt that they were asking the children to get on board with and support the President's goals. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AmeliaJade Posted September 7, 2009 Share Posted September 7, 2009 From my understanding, the people who are against the speech are worried because of a video that is to be played with it that shows celebrities pledging to do things to make the country better. I've watched the video, and honestly, I don't see the big deal. I don't have a problem with it. But there is one point where someone says they pledge to serve the president and I do think that could have been worded better. We do not serve the president, he serves us. We support the president. I've also heard that one of the questions children were supposed to answer after watching the video is "How can you serve the president?" Apparently they took that question away. I'm not sure if that question even existed--that is just what I've heard. But again, I do have a slight issue with the wording. While I think the video overall is trying to send a good message, I'm tired of our society looking to celebs to tell us how we should feel, think and act. The president should be able to give his speech on his own merit. Why does he need a video full of celebs to back him up? Why not a video of every day people like you and me making pledges to make our country better? Because of Joe Blow down the street says he is going to start recycling to make the world a better place--no one cares. But if Ashton Kutcher says it then suddenly everyone is falling all over themselves to recycle. I find that really, really sad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crissy Posted September 7, 2009 Share Posted September 7, 2009 From my understanding, the people who are against the speech are worried because of a video that is to be played with it that shows celebrities pledging to do things to make the country better. The video you are referring to was made in January. I don't believe there is a direct connection to tomorrow's speech, or large-scale plans to play the video in classrooms. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shawna in Texas Posted September 7, 2009 Share Posted September 7, 2009 I think that turning a speech by the president directed at children into partisan politics is outrageous. I think that schools should allow the children to watch it and talk about the message afterwards. For pity's sake, he's not going to try to sell them healthcare reform or the repealment of the Defense Of Marriage Act. Even if he were, it's not like they can vote. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muffinmom Posted September 7, 2009 Share Posted September 7, 2009 I believe the original problem with this was not the President addressing school children w/out parental permission, but rather was the class notes meant to go with it, which gave no doubt that they were asking the children to get on board with and support the President's goals. Yes...this was the problem. No one opposes a speech to encourage students in their schoolwork. But the President backed off the first plan because of the flak. Now the speech is generally acceptable to both sides. But the controversy was enough to concern many parents. The reason people are upset about it at all is because they have concerns about Obama's agenda that goes far beyond a school address. If the agenda they fear is real, then the concern over the school address is warranted (as it would be part of that agenda). As it stands, it still hasn't been proven conclusively either way what Obama's agenda is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AmeliaJade Posted September 7, 2009 Share Posted September 7, 2009 The video you are referring to was made in January. I don't believe there is a direct connection to tomorrow's speech, or large-scale plans to play the video in classrooms. I know when the video was made. I guess we're reading from different news outlets then. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muffinmom Posted September 7, 2009 Share Posted September 7, 2009 BTW, I think it's a bit amusing that there are cries of "disrespect" toward the President. Even if this were an act of disrespect, it's pretty mild. After all, I live in a neighborhood where there were bumper stickers everywhere such as "Bush is a punk-a** chump" and "M" (for moron), and "F the President." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
calandalsmom Posted September 7, 2009 Share Posted September 7, 2009 BTW, I think it's a bit amusing that there are cries of "disrespect" toward the President. Even if this were an act of disrespect, it's pretty mild. After all, I live in a neighborhood where there were bumper stickers everywhere such as "Bush is a punk-a** chump" and "M" (for moron), and "F the President." Where you live and what you've seen isnt really relevant. I could offer a thousand examples of the same and they wouldnt make this ridiculous nonsense any more respectful or mature. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
calandalsmom Posted September 7, 2009 Share Posted September 7, 2009 I know when the video was made. I guess we're reading from different news outlets then. More than likely you are reading some "opinion" outlets. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
calandalsmom Posted September 7, 2009 Share Posted September 7, 2009 Yes...this was the problem. No one opposes a speech to encourage students in their schoolwork. But the President backed off the first plan because of the flak. Now the speech is generally acceptable to both sides. But the controversy was enough to concern many parents. The reason people are upset about it at all is because they have concerns about Obama's agenda that goes far beyond a school address. If the agenda they fear is real, then the concern over the school address is warranted (as it would be part of that agenda). As it stands, it still hasn't been proven conclusively either way what Obama's agenda is. Did you somehow opt out of the campaign? What was proven was that Obama's agenda was approved by the American people. That's why we elected him. The speech was never going to be more than what it is, despite your suspicions to the contrary, but rather than admit its a good speech and move on the country is now subjected to more vague accusations and superstitious nonsense. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muffinmom Posted September 7, 2009 Share Posted September 7, 2009 Where you live and what you've seen isnt really relevant. I could offer a thousand examples of the same and they wouldnt make this ridiculous nonsense any more respectful or mature. I'm not sure why you say that where I live and what I've seen isn't relevant. Really, the concern about this thing is not about disrespect. It's about distrust. In our country, we still have the freedom to not trust or not like who is in office; we even have the freedom to protest publicly. You can't force people to like or respect him (some do, some don't). Some of the words and actions of Obama and his administration have given many people reason to not trust him. If you're not one of those people, fine. You have the right to trust him. Just like other people have the right to not trust him. If you believed that another President was untrustworthy and was hiding a manipulative agenda that you believed was bad for your country and ultimately your family, would you want your child to be addressed by him? Would you consider protesting it? Let them do what they believe is right, and don't fault them for it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HappyGrace Posted September 7, 2009 Share Posted September 7, 2009 (edited) What was proven was that Obama's agenda was approved by the American people. That's why we elected him. Part of our duties as American citizens is to keep an eye on what the President is doing and make sure it serves the interests of the American people. According to our Constitution, he serves US, not the other way around. And that's true for any President, of any party. Edited September 7, 2009 by HappyGrace Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
calandalsmom Posted September 7, 2009 Share Posted September 7, 2009 Part of our duties as American citizens is to keep an eye on what the President is doing and make sure it serves the interests of the American people. He serves US, not the other way around. And that's true for any President, of any party. Hard to let him serve you when he can't even speak publicly without some people accusing him of he is "usurping parental authority" and "indoctrinating youth like Hitler." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muffinmom Posted September 7, 2009 Share Posted September 7, 2009 Did you somehow opt out of the campaign? What was proven was that Obama's agenda was approved by the American people. That's why we elected him. The speech was never going to be more than what it is, despite your suspicions to the contrary, but rather than admit its a good speech and move on the country is now subjected to more vague accusations and superstitious nonsense. I didn't opt out of the campaign. I heard his words, watched his actions, and drew my own conclusions. But if the agenda that people are concerned about IS real, it is not an agenda that he was upfront about. People elected him for what they THOUGHT he was about. Right now, we are in the process of finding out who he really is and if he is who he says he is. No conclusions yet. (And btw, he wasn't voted for by the whole country, only 52% of the popular vote. That means roughly half didn't vote for him.) And, yes, the assignment for schoolchildren was real. It was all over the news, even the part about them changing it because of the flak. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HappyGrace Posted September 7, 2009 Share Posted September 7, 2009 Hard to let him serve you when he can't even speak publicly without some people accusing him of he is "usurping parental authority" and "indoctrinating youth like Hitler." That is exactly HOW he knows how to serve us-by people speaking out against what they don't like. And the process still works-he realized that many people didn't want his agenda on this speech to the children and accompanying class notes, and moderated it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chiguirre Posted September 7, 2009 Share Posted September 7, 2009 If you believed that another President was untrustworthy and was hiding a manipulative agenda that you believed was bad for your country and ultimately your family, would you want your child to be addressed by him? Would you consider protesting it? Let them do what they believe is right, and don't fault them for it. Since this is recent history, I'll say that I would have let my kids listen to an address by George W. Bush even though I believe he is untrustworthy and hiding a manipulative, destructive agenda. I would not have protested it because, although IMHO he was one of the worst presidents in the history of the nation and certainly the worst in the last 100 years, he was still the president and deserved the courtesy of their attention for 5 or 10 minutes. I would even have taken this position in 2001-2005 when he was president in spite of losing the popular vote. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoPlaceLikeHome Posted September 7, 2009 Share Posted September 7, 2009 That is exactly HOW he knows how to serve us-by people speaking out against what they don't like. And the process still works-he realized that many people didn't want his agenda on this speech to the children and accompanying class notes, and moderated it. Do you have documentation of President Obama changing his speech? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SonshineLearner Posted September 7, 2009 Share Posted September 7, 2009 I think it simply comes down to some people not liking the president. How many parents honestly look at every piece of whatever put out by the federal DOE? But not all of them are showed in the classroom. I don't want my kids in the classroom, cuz I don't want my children's scope and sequence, or what they watch....decided by a school board or a school teacher. I really don't think any tv should be watched in school. Carrie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WiseOwlKnits Posted September 7, 2009 Share Posted September 7, 2009 New Braunfels ISD isn't showing it. Most other schools in Central Texas are saying they aren't going to stop everything to watch it, but are giving classroom teachers the discretion to watch it or not in classes where its inclusion could be deemed appropriate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HappyGrace Posted September 7, 2009 Share Posted September 7, 2009 (edited) Do you have documentation of President Obama changing his speech? I'm sorry-I should have specified, and mistakenly did not do so, that it is my opinion that the speech has been changed because the current speech does not match the original lesson plans. The original lesson plans call for reactions that don't make sense with this new speech. Again, totally my opinion. eta: I think the speech as written at this point is fine. Edited September 8, 2009 by HappyGrace Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PineFarmMom Posted September 8, 2009 Share Posted September 8, 2009 What was proven was that Obama's agenda was approved by the American people. That's why we elected him. Really? Really? Are you sure? I certainly didn't see that type of attitude when Bush was in office by those who didn't like him for each time he didn't blink the way they wanted him to. The opposition and bashing was ridiculous!! There were so many people who said "He isn't MY president." My memory is pretty good, and I remember A LOT of bashing of Bush going on and disapproval of his speeches. I don't remember that Kumbaya attitude back then. Again, I'm cool with him speaking in the schools and don't agree with those who are so angry over it, but all the political hypocrisy I'm seeing is really infuriating!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
calandalsmom Posted September 8, 2009 Share Posted September 8, 2009 Really? Really? Are you sure? I certainly didn't see that type of attitude when Bush was in office by those who didn't like him for each time he didn't blink the way they wanted him to. The opposition and bashing was ridiculous!! There were so many people who said "He isn't MY president." My memory is pretty good, and I remember A LOT of bashing of Bush going on and disapproval of his speeches. I don't remember that Kumbaya attitude back then. Again, I'm cool with him speaking in the schools and don't agree with those who are so angry over it, but all the political hypocrisy I'm seeing is really infuriating!! Bashing disguised as "concern for our children" and illogical comparisons to Hitler are not figuring prominently in my memory of what I personally was worried about during the Bush era. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PineFarmMom Posted September 8, 2009 Share Posted September 8, 2009 Bashing disguised as "concern for our children" and illogical comparisons to Hitler are not figuring prominently in my memory of what I personally was worried about during the Bush era. Oh, my worry is very genuine concern for their freedoms and financial well-being, because I really don't see them being anywhere but in an extremely tax-burdened situation! You can think what you will, though. I don't recall comparing him to Hitler myself and don't agree with those who do. Saying we're headed to socialism is much different than calling him the name of a past dictator. I do specifically remember many liberals calling Bush Hitler back then, though. I also remember some unbelievably ridiculous Michael Moore movies back in the day that people just LOVED that ripped Bush to shreds. THAT is the type of political hypocrisy I'm talking about. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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