Local school districts are reacting to the national controversy over President Barack Obama’s televised speech to school children, scheduled for 11 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 8.
The president is expected to speak to students “on the importance of taking responsibility for their education, challenging them to set goals and do everything they can to succeed, ” according to the White House.
In D58, at least one school plans to notify parents who may then choose not to have their children watch the speech.
As for D99, administrators haven’t “created a special schedule to broadcast President Obama’s speech to all students on Tuesday,” said spokeswoman Faith Behr. “Teachers, however, can show the segment to students if it fits in with their curriculum and lessons.”
The speech has sparked a deluge of calls from concerned parents in the Chicago area and across the country. Many of the callers are complaining that Obama is using his bully pulpit to unduly influence kids and have threatened to pull their kids out of school rather than allow them to watch.
How about it Downers Grove? Are you concerned about your kids watching the speech at school? Have you called or emailed either district to express your concerns?
In any case, look for the Connect Ed system to be put to use later today or this weekend.
This post will be updated as soon as additional information becomes available from the school districts.
I think it is a wonderful opportunity for the children to be able to listen to the Presidents speech. If he is going to take the time to speak to the children of this country, then all children should have the opportunity to listen. This may have a real impact on many children. Pres. Obama has two children of his own and I think it’s great that he wants to talk to all children about education, setting goals and succeding in life. I am thrilled that he thinks this is important.
The as yet undocumented, and therefore theoretical, “Stay In School” message sounds fine ,albeit a bit superfluous in our exemplary schools.
However, there has been a consistent pattern of unprofessional and deceitful behavior (can you say “fishy email?!!”) from this ever looming President that engenders a breach of trust. This unleashes the Mama/Papa Bear in parents.
Leave. My. Kids. Alone.
And yes, I did contact Admin. Sounds like 99 is a no and 58 schools are making independent decisions, some reviewing the tape for later viewing.
Considering the availability of YouTube and other internet video sources, not to mention the 24/7 cable networks, it seems easy enough to watch the speech with your own child if you choose to do so. Sounds like a “teachable moment” of one sort or another to me.
All children presently have multiple opportunities to listen to just about any speech that this President, or any, may make. What I strongly object to is taking away from the precious time that our kids would otherwise spend with their educators, which we all pay for, just so that this Lecturer-in-Chief supposedly can tell them to “stay in school.” Both ironic and a little audacious.
Unfortunately for many, many other children in the United States – they do not have the opportunity to attend exemplary school. Many children also do not have a parent or parents that would encourage them to do their best or to take education seriously. I am honored that the President is making the time to talk to the students of our country, since the future is in their hands. Consider the recent arrest of quite a number of Dg’s former school children for drug trafficking, in addition to all the other arrests that you can read about in the local paper of our students, what we are doing now ain’t workin so well.
I also think that school is the perfect place for them to listen to the speech. The teachers can use that as a jumping off point with the children to open up discussions regarding their futures and their education and what part they play.
Barack Obama is our President and he is due respect. It might be nice to instill the idea of respect back into the classrooms.
trish, thanks for saying what I have been saying… no matter what your beliefs, he IS the president. How often do kids these days get to have a live civic lesson in school!? The problem here is that no one is asking the kids what they want. They are people too and as such are entitled to form their own opinions that may or may not be different from their parents! God forbid!
This is why we have a generation of kids now that have no respect for authority. Shame on Dist 99 for not letting the kids that actually want to participate in history do so.
I think it’s good for the President of the United States of America to make speeches that encourage school children to work hard in school.
I am totally against it. This Administration has invaded too many of our freedoms already. Leave my kids alone!
Wow. Regardless of your political leanings, this seems a perfect opportunity to share a civics lesson WITH your children, an opportunity to teach students respect for government followed by some spirited but respectful discourse.
Instead a teachable moment has dissolved into hysteria with the birthers and residents of Winchester Virginia screaming about Socialist poltergeists creeping out from under their children’s bunk beds and brainwashing them into accepting gay marriage and disarmament.
Such is the state of the Republican party. Sad.
Trish: The very same laudable goal easily could be accomplished by the Chief Executive simply doing a public service announcement or a series of educational video primers. But why is it that our children’s studies have to be interrupted in order to have someone who might be the President, but who is undeniably neither trained nor qualified as a teacher, prattle on about, er, the “importance of staying in school?” I would rather have our kids receive a civics lesson from any of our outstanding, professional local educators than a “community organizer” with no formal training. Plus, where do we draw the line on these so-called “teaching moments”? And where do we draw the line on who gets to temporarily shut down our schools to give these little speeches? The vice president? The speaker of the house? The secretary of state? How about Governor Quinn? Sure, its exaggeration, but you see the point. Respect for the office has nothing to do with why people object so vociferously to this ill-considered political stunt.
Hard work, personal responsibility and a sound education… it doesn’t get anymore conservative than that. If this speech inspires 1 unmotivated or neglected child it is worth the air time.
Interesting points all round and very well articulated, folks. Thanks for encouraging me to think outside my box.
Tuesday is the first day of school in a lot of places, including Chicago, where the President’s home is. That’s why that particular day was chosen. A motivational speech on the first day of school is good.
Punto Devista:
Well said! Although other opinions listed are also good logical reasons however it is my opinion that Punto is right on target. There are many different ways this message can be conveyed other than the One for ALl everybody has to listed to the speech Tueday morning. It’s not so much the content but the fact it has to be heard by everyone on the same day nationally. It doesn’t always “take a Village”
Positive message focused on the value of education=Acceptable
White House generated lesson plans instructing children to write letters on “how they can help the President’” or “how the President can do a better job”=Propaganda/Gratis Polling Data
The White House agrees as they already edited those statements on their web site.
I will always respect the Office however try telling a special needs parent to respect a President who has blatantly ridiculed Special Olympics athletes on late night television.
Here’s a tangential topic gleaned from parent buzz at curriculum night. An anecdotally disproportionate number of AP History students of Teacher X did poorly on the ’09 AP tests. Their disgruntled parents attribute this to their kid’s election season reports that “all (Teacher X) did was talk about how great Obama is and so we didn’t have time to finish (the curriculum).”
Is the district tracking how students performed under specific teachers? Mind you these tests cost money to take and can mean significant college semester cost savings in addition to the advanced learning that is supposed to take place.
I imagine those that state “If he is going to take the time to speak to the children of this country, then all children should have the opportunity to listen” think the curriculum disposal in favor of interrupting the school day for an hour is A- OK. Pause the the mantra “there isn’t enough time to teach” for a sec.
I, however, am with EJ. If you want your kids to see the speech there are a gazillion other outlets of which to take advantage.
Hahaha, this is why the Repulicans are going the way of the dodo.
1) I understand if you don’t like Obama because of his politics, but how can you criticize without hearing him out ever? Let your child make a decision on whether or not they like him. God forbid they do.
2) If the president of the United States isn’t relevant enough to listen to, then who is?
Just ridiculous, shouldn’t even be an issue.
Our children do not have to receive every message by way of a 30 second PSA, a tweet, a text or scribbling on their face book wall. Their attention spans are being reduced to the size of a pea. I stand by my previous statement that if the President of the United States wants to take the time to address the children of the nation on the importance of education and setting goals and being responsible, then they should listen. I don’t agree with the argument that this is taking away from the learning time. This is an important message and in my opinion time well spent.
Not sure
Such is the state of political discourse in America. While we grind into paste every gesture, every word, every thought the ‘other side’ makes, China supplants us an economic power and we buy our cars from Japan. Sad.
Punto deVista writes:
“But why is it that our children’s studies have to be interrupted in order to have someone who might be the President, but who is undeniably neither trained nor qualified as a teacher, prattle on about, er, the “importance of staying in school?” I would rather have our kids receive a civics lesson from any of our outstanding, professional local educators than a “community organizer” with no formal training.”
Really, Punto deVista? “Might be the President”? Hate to break it to you, but he IS the president, and he is not a “community organizer with no formal training.” He is our President who received more votes than your candidate in a fair and democratically held election. I have never heard such sour grapes in my life.
You’re also objecting to precious time being taken away from our educators. These are the same educators that, on many occasions, show videos, movies, baseball games, etc. in the classroom instead of spending every single moment on the curriculum. Are you up in arms about that too?
Are you teaching your children that the best way to argue with someone who doesn’t share your beliefs is to hold your hands over your ears and hum “I don’t hear you”? How about actually listening to the other side instead of trying to silence and degrade them. Shameful. Absolutely shameful.
And in response to “fromtheheart” don’t you think we all could use a little more “One For All” these days? Aren’t you tired of the divisiveness? Enough already!
Let’s try to reason sans the time worn, acid washed (R) insults to hash this out.
Top 3 Facts to Prove Pres O Gives a Rat’s Hiney About Education:
1)Appoints Arne Duncan, head of CPS/Largest Failed School System as Secty of Education. But man can he block in the paint.
2)Cuts highly successful DC school voucher program. Sasha and Malia’s school too pricey to be affected. Pfew.
3)First Pres since Eisenhower to refuse to release college scores and grades. Who’s setting an example here?
Actions, not teleprompted words speak loudly.
I think the Obama administration gave conservatives cause to be concerned about the speech by including the suggested activity of having students “write letters to themselves about what they can do to help the president.” I didn’t like the sound of that. It’s not the same as asking “what you can do to help your country”. It presumes that you agree with the president’s goals.
This president can be an eloquent speaker, so if he delivers a great message on “persisting and succeeding in school”, my blood pressure will return to normal. I will still think it’s not a good idea for the president to give speeches aimed at school children to be viewed during school.
Do Kindergarteners and First Graders even have the attention span to watch the President?
My son hated the movie “Ratatouille”, because there was too much talking and not enough action. So, what’s he going to do, while the President simply talks?
I do agree with EJ. There is plenty of opportunity, just through network evening news and the cable news channels, to listen to the President. Even in the days before CNN, my family watched Fahey Flynn and Joel Daly during dinner.
But here’s my problem. The President’s kids have attended private school their whole lives. The President went to private college and law school. Arne Duncan went to Harvard, and before that, U of C Lab. So, we have our leaders, whose personal lives are grounded in private education, trying fix public education.
We haven’t had a President who went K through college in the public system since Gerald Ford.
Dear Can’t believe what I’m hearing.
You must want or need some wealth others have made spread your way if your taking that position from your post of “one for all”.
Did not a number of local schools hold mock elections and Obama win a number of them? … Seems like kids have already decided wether they like or dislike his politics …..
Maybe all the fuss has to do with the overwhelming financial support the President got from the teachers unions….furthering the President’s “agenda” and indoctrinating into school aged children is the real concern. When the teachers and the President and the Financially powerful union are all connected into breathing further rhetoric into our children, then we as parents should be VERY concerned…this is right out of China and the other types of governments whereby they dictate what your children should see and hear and learn…..
Why can’t the President’s message be heard BY CHOICE….I hear he is for CHOICE in every other factor of people’s lives…why not when it comes to him billowing his lopsided messages… Can you say PODCAST…
Remember how both parents who grew up and went to public schools in Downers Grove told me about watching historical events on TV in school such the passing of President Kennedy and the space launches from Florida. My sixth grade teacher letting us watch President Reagan and Gorby signed an arms reduction agreement on TV at Piece Downer. My seventh and eighth grade teacher letting us watched President Bush, Sr. parade and swearing ceremonial. Regardless of political party, anytime a civics lessons can inspire debate, discuss, for those future students who strive for the highest in the land or just simply vote or one day of the honor to take an oath to obey and defend the commander-in-chief and U.S. constitution; not my opinion matters, but can not cause any harm but progress.
Here’s my concern: The White House Press secretary and Arne Duncan called parental concern about this project “silly”. As far as I know, parents still have control over their child’s education in the US, although I’m sure that will change. And if a parent has a concern over whether their child listen to the president without them than that isn’t silly. To say it is silly undermines a parent’s right to raise their child.
I have other concerns, but I will not post them to this forum. To post an opinion on this forum is to be ridiculed, and who needs that.
He is the President and this should not be the big deal it is..
This is a hot topic and, as is frequently the case when politics is debated, can elicit hot comments.
Just a reminder to keep personal swipes and the “ridicule” Sh mentioned out of it.
Thanks.
Here’s the text of the speech. Parents can decide whether it’s a teachable moment.
And at the risk of providing TMI, I’m passing along an item from Daily Kos sent to me by a friend. It’s by the Westport, Conn., superintendent of schools:
Dear Parent:
The President of the United States, Barack Obama, duly elected by the people of the United States, will be addressing our Nation’s children on Tuesday, September 8. In so doing, our President, like his earlier predecessor, George H.W. Bush, will be delivering an important message to the young people of our great country that calls on them to do their best in school by working hard so they can be successful in their personal lives and in the global environment in which they will live and that will challenge them in every way in the years to come.
As Superintendent of Schools, I am pleased that the President of the United States will be taking time from his busy schedule to deliver this important message to our students.
I have instructed our building principals and classroom teachers at all school levels that I am fully supportive of having them integrate the message of the President of the United States into their lessons on Tuesday, or on any subsequent date. Toward this end, we will be televising President Obama’s speech, video streaming it, or recording it on DVDs for teacher use. I anticipate that our professional administrative and teaching staffs will incorporate the President’s presentation into classroom instruction in the best way possible to enhance this learning opportunity for our students.
As the integration of the President’s speech into our instructional practice will constitute a vital learning experience for all our children, it is my expectation that any child in any class where the President’s speech is incorporated into instruction will be a part of that instructional activity. Being a part of an instructional activity means that the child can participate fully or elect not to participate fully while remaining in the classroom, as would be the case with virtually any instructional activity.
Thank you for cooperation and understanding.
Sincerely yours,
Elliott Landon
Superintendent of Schools
The speech seems to be devoid of any serious politcal overtone, but there is nothing new here. It’s the same rhetoric that a child should expect from his parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, family friends, older siblings, teachers, principals, and employers.
It would make more sense for students, say beyond the fourth grade, to watch a speech that outlines a major policy that the adminstration plans to undertake, then discuss the pros and cons of the policy and how persuasive the President was.
Mark, thank you for posting the speech.
After reading it, my concerns about his being politically charge have lessened. The question I would ask myself is “if the President was giving the speech at my kid’s school, would I let him attend?” Even though the President and I have different ideologies, the answer would be yes. Unfortunately, the president does not have the time to visit every school across the country and it’s my job as a parent to teach him my beliefs.
The furor is not about the text of the speech.
Does He have the right to give the speech? Of course.
Does that make it inherently valuable? Absolutely not.
This guy is just not who you, understandably and desperately, want him to be.
Kingsley School is NOT going to carry his speech.
It was a good speech!
I just spoke to my daughter on the phone to see how her day went. She said; ‘I like peanut butter jelly, daddy. I’m so concerned about people suffering from imperialist oppression, it would make so much more sense if we could all share our resources for the common good. Katy’s mommy bought her a Dora backpack. When are you coming home?’
Strange.
This outcry regarding the President’s speech to the schools is ridiculous.
Where was the outcry when the latest George Bush provided the same? If there was an uproar then I obviously missed it, and in my profession I don’t miss much.
But for all of the pro-speech or anti-speech fans please click on the attached address. I find the attached event just wrong.
In one case we have our President telling kids to study, work hard, set goals, and don’t give up.
On the other we have a convicted felon telling kids “Don’t do what I did.”
I am well aware there is a considerable difference in scale here, one being the President and national in scope, the other an NFL player and a Philadelphia High School. But you get my point.
Perhaps Mr. Vick should turn his speech into an educational video and distribute it to the schools. (that last sentence contains lots of sarcasm).
My kids are adults now, so I am out of this “should they listen or not listen” debate.
But when I read the Philly story today, I was pretty appalled.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gMGRlR8DFFDthKnHe11BA08rf8fwD9AJ99C80
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I think most parents here in DG try and motivate their kids, just like BO did today. If anything, the President may now be viewed as a bit more square for agreeing with the parents. Several presidents have done some of the same. I think Reagan made it a Q&A that was more political. When Bush the first did his gig the D’s in congress investigated it, Gephart was furious, and the NEA denounced it. It was as innocuous and positive themed as the one today.
A few years ago I walked into the front doors of the elementary school and noticed a poster that was encouraging kids to read (I think) and the poster boy was Charlie Sheehan, the actor, who had been in the news about that same time for all his drug problems.
I thought it was an very odd choice to use for that purpose.
Go figure?