Some Conservative Parents Oppose Letting Prez Obama Speak to Kids -- Updated

President Barack Obama’s plan to give a nationally telecast speech to school children about the importance of education is encountering opposition from Conservative groups across reports the New York Times and the Associated Press.



President Obama is appearing live at a high school in Virginia next Tuesday (Sept. 8) and his speech will be simulcast on the White House’s web site. The White House would like schools across the country to tune in.

Right-wing talk radio is in an uproar warning parents that President Obama wants to indoctrinate their children evoking comments like this:

The thing that concerned me most about it was it seemed like a direct channel from the President of the United States into the classroom, to my child.” said Brett Curtiss, an engineer from Pearland, TX, who said he would keep his three children home.

Thankfully the Times found more sensible adults:

“It’s difficult for me to understand how listening to the president, the commander in chief, the chief citizen of this country is damaging to the youth of today,” said Phyllis Griffin Epps, an analyst for [Houston] who has two children in public school.”

Just like Ms. Epps I think the whole notion of keeping kids from listening to the President of the United States is quite frankly silly. Obviously there are many people who disagree with President Obama’s policies, but it’s still valuable for children of all ages hear what he has to say.

Instead of shutting their eyes and ears parent and teachers can turn the President’s speech into a teachable moment and have students discuss what they’ve just heard or give a lesson about civics or history.

In fact the federal Department of Education has prepared a list of sample activities both for younger students (preK to Grade 6) and older students (Grade 7 to Grade 12). One sample question asks elementary school students, "Why do you think he wants to speak to you?" Middle school and High School students are asked, "We heard President Obama mention the importance of personal responsibility. In your life, who exemplifies this kind of responsibility? How? Give examples."

I’ve e-mailed interim superintendant Willliam Papallo to see if Norwalk students will be hearing President Obama’s address and if there is any policy that will allow students to opt-out.

I’d also be interested in hearing from teachers, parents an students as to what you think about the President being able to address the student of America.

UPDATE:

I met with Assistant Superintendent Tony Daddona this morning. Mr. Daddona thought that the speech would be "historic," however the decision to watch the program will be up to principals and teachers at each school.

He also said that the district had received several emails yesterday from parents asking for their kids to "opt out" of watching President Obama's address and in response has prepared this statement:

In answer to your request about the President's speech, I have been asked to inform you that the schools will do as they have always done with such issues. The program must be integrated and aligned with our curriculum in order to be shown in class. In addition, there will be no political position taken by any staff members. Stuents will have the opportunity to opt out of viewing the program should it be shown in their class, in which case they will be provided with an alternative educational activity. Finally, parents have the opportunity to inform the school that they do one want their student to participate in the viewing.