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Some area schools to broadcast President's address
dgoodman@observer-reporter.com
Some children in Washington and Greene counties will watch President Barack Obama speak to public school students at noon Tuesday, but others will not.
"The president will challenge students to work hard, set educational goals and take responsibility for their learning," according to a news release from the U.S. Department of Education.
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Others say there's nothing wrong with a president telling children to be responsible.
Area schools have come down on both sides of the issue.
Avella will show the speech live Tuesday at noon, said Superintendent Wayde Killmeyer.
"We are showing it, mainly because we have been encouraged to do so by the Pennsylvania secretary of education," he said.
Canon-McMillan is not showing the speech, which is expected to be 15 to 20 minutes long. A letter on the district Web site states that noon is a highly inopportune time during a student's day.
"Additionally, concrete curricular correlations cannot be made in a consistent and timely fashion in order to embrace our philosophies and policies regarding curriculum," the letter states.
Peters Township also will not show the speech. Spokeswoman Shelly Belcher said the district wasn't notified of the speech until Thursday morning, making it difficult to have time to set up a process to determine who didn't want their children to watch it.
It's also happening in the middle of lunch, making it difficult logistically, she said.
Belcher said the district will look at the speech and determine if parts of it can be worked into the curriculum later in the school year.
She said Peters had heard from a large number of parents about the issue - and from both sides.
Katherine Luniewski, a McMurray mom, said she thinks Peters Township should show the speech.
She said parents would want their children sent a message about working hard and setting goals.
"I think every Peters Township parent would think that's a pretty good message," she said.
She said the White House has announced it will release contents of the speech Monday, so district administrators will know the content ahead of time. Luniewski also questioned whether the district knows the content of every speech that someone gives. She said she doubts the districts know ahead of time the exact speech that dentists will give about teeth cleaning or police officers will give about safety.
"I think it's really unfortunate that politics has been brought into this," White House deputy policy director Heather Higginbottom said.
"It's simply a plea to students to really take their learning seriously. Find out what they're good at. Set goals. And take the school year seriously."
She noted that President George H.W. Bush made a similar address to schools in 1991. Like Obama, Bush drew criticism, with Democrats accusing the Republican president of making the event into a campaign commercial.
Critics are particularly upset about lesson plans the administration created to accompany the speech. The lesson plans, available online, originally recommended having students "write letters to themselves about what they can do to help the president."
The White House revised the plans Wednesday to say students could "write letters to themselves about how they can achieve their short-term and long-term education goals."
"That was inartfully worded, and we corrected it," Higginbottom said.
The Nationwide Tea Party Coalition asked that schools who choose to participate in the president's program offer an alternative to students and families who do not wish to view the speech.
Ringgold School District is doing just that and posted a letter about it on the district Web site.
"Social studies teachers may choose to participate in viewing this address. If you wish for your child to be excluded, please send a note to that effect to the teacher," the letter states.
The Associated Press contributed to this report. Join the Observer-Reporter's conversation on education at http://orbehindthedesk.blogspot.com.
Obama School Speech : 9/5/2009
So it's alright for schools to push politics on our children, but GOD forbid we say a prayer , or mention GOD. It's not up to the school to make parents decisions about what politician or political view for our children to take. If you don't like Obama Keep your children home.
Wow : 9/5/2009
We have officially hit a new low. I cannot believe the outrage of some parents over a speech by the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES to its children. I do not care who or what party the president is, he or she is still the president. I was not a George W. Bush fan but if he wanted to address America’s children, by all means, he should. The Republicans call the Democrats communist all the time, but who is the one objecting to a speech by the president? They are sore losers who do not realize that they were crushed in the last election. It wasn’t like 2000 when they won by a few hundred votes in a crooked election in Florida. McCain lost by 9 million votes. If McCain would have won and would want to address our children, I would be honored to have the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES do it.
Listen to Yourselves! : 9/5/2009
Some parents oppose this speech for reasons that seem hard to comprehend. They believe the President is over stepping his boundaries. This speech aims to encourage children to study hard and stay in school, period. It is a plea for students to take their education seriously. While conservative pundits fan the flames, parents scream "political indoctrination!” and the like. Obama should be commended, not criticized, for imploring America's youth to excel in school. As students sit down, pen and paper in hand to begin a new school year, President Obama’s address will resonate in the minds of students throughout the country. They will leave school that day having listened to an effective speaker with a powerful message. They will leave feeling empowered. So I have one question for the parents and schools who oppose this speech: what are your motives here?
GET OVER IT : 9/5/2009
THIS IS THE PERFECT CHANCE FOR THE MESIAH TO SPREAD HIS SOCIALISTIC POLICY TO VULNERABLE MINDS. I APPLAUD ALL THOSE SCHOOL DISTRICTS THAT WILL NOT BROADCAST THIS PROPOGANDA. MAYBE WE COULD GET THE GREEN CZAR TO SAY A FEW WORDS TO THE KIDS AS WELL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
President of the United States : 9/5/2009
This is really sad that people cannot put their political views aside and let the President address our children on the importance of education. This is not a Republican or Democratic issue. If you don't want your child to listen to it, then have them sit out of the class. You administrators that are not allowing it............what do you think he is going to say? In some of the classes we have, this will be the best thing learned all year because we have classes that the teachers do nothing. Just think what these school districts, that are not showing it, are telling our children. The President of the United States should always be respected, doesn't mean you have to agree with everything.
Obama : 9/5/2009
SHAME ON THOSE DISTRICTS THAT CAN'T FIND TIME TO SHOW A SPEECH BY A PRESIDENT WHO IS A WONDERFUL ROLE MODEL FOR THE IMPORTANCE OF EDUCATION. I GUESS CM DOES NOT HAVE A VCR TO RECORD IT AND SHOW LATER.
The Speech......one of soooo many : 9/5/2009
If the republicans had not made an issue of the "speech" then your children would be spending their lunch writing down their three favorite words from the speech. Given his obvious leanings, I'd say that any speech that hasn't been heard first by the adminstration and parents, should be put on hold. JMHO
: 9/5/2009
What do you think he is going to say? You act like it is Hitler that is going to speak. This is going to be an inspirational speech on staying in school and getting an education so maybe we will have less people living off of us working people and staying in the welfare system. This is so pathetic.Probably all the republican administrators have a problem with it. Agree with above, this is NOT a political issue.
CM : 9/5/2009
CM is a follower. Well, when you think about it, they probably cannot show it at the high school, because like everything else in that district, that expensive tv system they put in, probably half of it, doesn't work. Where DOES our taxpayers money go.....................
Presidential speech : 9/5/2009
I can't believe there are parents opposed to their children hearing a speech by the PRESIDENT of the UNITED STATES--the Commander-in-Chief. Social Studies is an important part of the curriculum. This is Social Studies being shown live. Students can watch movies that have nothing to do with the curriculum, but parents are opposed to a live speech by the President. Some schools actually let TV's be turned on to see the outcome of the OJ Simpson trial. By the way, could anyone understand the reason why CM is not showing the speech?
Video Tapes : 9/5/2009
Go to the schools, including the high school at CM, and see what they are watching the week before school is out for Christmas. That post is right above, they have NOTHING to do with the curriculum.. Administration has NO idea what goes on in some of these classrooms.
Presidential speech : 9/6/2009
Good Lord People..The main reason for not wanting this speech to be given by this president is the fact and this is obvious; the man is a Marxist and all evidence points to this fact. Just look at the people that surrounds him and you can not but realize that this is true. Wake up people and smell the coffee. Wise up before it is too late.
Why have them take the pledge? : 9/6/2009
Why have the kids say the "Pledge of Allegiance", if you won't have them listen to the president? I am sure that if he said" Ask not what your country, ask what you can do for your country" You would consider it Socialism!
funny : 9/6/2009
my son is in 5th grade and when he was in kinder he got to hear a speech from President Bush and came home singing a song about voting for Bush. That was ok I guess I didnt have an option.
Wake up People : 9/7/2009
Here is the problem with everyone who is posting in favor of this speech: you are brainwashed, and we who are not are carrying the load for those of you who blindly voted for this communist in our White House. If you would step back and see the TRUE reason why Obama wants to do this address, you would understand. He is doing this because by controlling or indoctrinating our children, he controls his take over of the United States of America. This isnt about left or right anymore. This is about right and wrong, and this man is simply on an agenda. As far as I am concerned, this guy has no right to address my children. I AM THEIR PARENT, AND I WILL TEACH MY OWN CHILDREN ABOUT WORKING HARD! All of you think that Obama can teach your children better than you don't deserve to be parents. You are lazy, and expect everyone else to take care of your children except you. Well, wake up, America! This man in the White House is a THUG and a LIAR, and if you people can't see it, I feel bad for you. Until he shows me proof that he is eligible to be president, he is not the president. Therefore he has no right to brainwash my child. I can do that myself if I wanted!
von bond : 9/7/2009
If Obama is a Marxist that makes Bush either Pol Pot or Castro? Here was a man who tried to supress the constitution more than any other US president. Before you start name calling, lets check our facts.
Get Over It : 9/8/2009
I find it hard to compare Bush to communists like Pol Pop and Castro, both of which are noted for the killing of many, many people. If Obama care is enacted then we may be able to compare, not Bush, but Obama to these two dictators more easily. Perhaps you are correct about Bush suppressing the constitution more that any other president. I don't know especially since I'm not a student of history; just a concerned citizen worried about the direction our country is going. But as far as Obama goes, take your pick: Marxist, Socialist, Fascist, Communist, or how about a mix of all of these philosophies. All I know is that your president associates with some of the lowest life forms in the political arena. He has surrounded himself with Czars of which some are card carrying Communists and Socialists. If you want to know what a person is all about; just look at their friends and you'll get a general idea what the individual is like. Look at all of the items this president of yours is in favor of; it's frightening. I believe that we must get rid of both parties or else accept the destruction of our country. I'm wishing that I was wrong about this person in office, but too many things point to the fact that he is bad news and must be thrown out. People are objecting to his addressing the students because they are aware of these ties and associations. It's not the substance of his address; it's who they believe he is as a person.
PRESIDENT OBAMA'S SPEECH : 9/8/2009
IT IS AMAZING THAT THEY ALLOW OUR CHILDREN TO HOLD "MOCK ELECTIONS" IN SCHOOL, SO WHY NOT THE PRESIDENT'S SPEECH?
President Obama's Speech In Schools. : 9/8/2009
I read the speech on line last night, my question to all those school districts that are not allowing it to be viewed. WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU? I am PROUD THAT AVELLA IS CARRYING IT. My son is in 3rd grade & I hope he will remember this speech the rest of his school years. I graduated in 1974 from UHS and I sure wish back when I was in school, that we had the technology today's schools have. I would've been amazed in hearing President Kennedy speak, or any of the President's that served in that capacity, all the way up to President Nixon. I want those "SO CALLED ADULTS" who are objecting to this speech, that we are FREE TO EXPRESS OUR THOUGHTS in this country. If you don't want your child to hear it, you have the option to keep them home. I wonder how many parents that did keep their child home today, are going to let them watch The President Of The United States speech at home. I'm sure there will be news reports tonight about the speech, and they will see it there. Another thing, since I see CM is getting picked on here, I bet that if a "WELL KNOWN SPORTS FIGURE" was to make a speech, CM would probably bus all the students to BIG MAC STADIUM & show it on a giant screen. In closing, remember, What are you teaching your children? Are you telling them that they do not have to obey Our President? Are you then telling them they don't have to obey any laws at all?
Agree with the Avella man : 9/8/2009
Sir , it is all about sports....................Shame isn't it?
Post Number 1 : 9/10/2009
Actually God was mentioned I believe twice in President Obama's speech to school children.
