Schools forcing kids to view Inauguration & schools that are not (private schools, grade)

[GloryB]

Regardless of who someone voted for, kids watching, discussing and taking pride in the Inauguration process TRUMPS other stuff they might learn from a any particular subject that day. I think it is a great idea.

[hypocore]

I'm also in the DFW area and know of the story about the reversal of decision in that district...the thing was the district initially BANNED the showing of it for the entire district, which is the wrong course in my opinion. To be completely prohibited from that is just as bad as mandating that everyone to watch it. However, this new decision allows those to show it that wish to, and doesn't force everyone to do so. That's the right choice.

Now for my personal opinion, *my* younger children would definitely benefit from watching this very historical event. So, I've got the DVR set to record it and if they don't get to see any of it in school, then I'll replay it for them later. I have NO problem if they take the time to view it at school, even with standardized tests coming up, because those tests are not the end all be all to the success of their education.

The difference, as I see it, is my kids have been following the campaigning, election and such all along and have developed a vested interest in it, versus those who don't really care much about all that is going on around them right now. Watching won't be something out of the blue for them, just a continuation of what they've been seeing all along. Their interest partly stems from the fact that just like Barack Obama, they have a black dad and white mom, so they feel a connection to him that most kids can't feel. They also connect to his having children of similar ages to them, so they can imagine themselves on that journey his kids are taking. Granted, my 11 yr old daughter is more vested in the whole ordeal than my 6 yr old son, but then again she is much more into history than he is.

As a matter of fact, she and I had a discussion just Wednesday about how it would affect her in later years to have viewed this compared to her peers that won't see it at all. We talked about how Obama is using Lincoln's Bible to take his oath, and what kind of impact that might have of his course as President. We talked about all kinds of things and she says to me...I wonder how we could get invited to go? It touched my heart so very much, however I had to reply that wasn't going to be something we could pull off as we are just not closely involved with anyone in politics in order to make that happen. However, it also struck a chord with me, that perhaps some day she'll find a way to go to Washington DC and bear witness in person. That, in turn, leaves me with a proud feeling and is the basis of why I have absolutely no problem if she were to miss 'test prep' or regular instructional time, for a brief part of her day, just so she can make a deeper connection to a part of history that SHE seems to be vested in. I intend for her to get to see it either way, but again, no problem for her to see it at school.

[K-Luv]

Originally Posted by momof2dfw

I guess a new question then would be:
If you were scheduled to have surgery that day and not an "elective" surgery for something cosmetic.......... would you reschedule it so that you could watch it "live"?

This is a rather odd comparision, don't you think?

Originally Posted by LiveTodayLez08

As one poster mention, standardized tests are coming up for some kids and we're taking important time away to "prepare" kids for the test.

Why? Standardized testing is mainly used by the school to gain funding. It can put some kids into G/T, but other than that no matter how much you prepare for it you more than likely are going to receive roughly the same score year after year.

[christina0001]

Originally Posted by ZugZub

It's an historic event, one that will never happen again. I think it's an excellent idea for the children to watch it. Nothing makes the same impression as watching something of such significance live, rather than taped. It's not going to hurt your kids to miss a couple class periods. If it does, then they are having trouble in school anyway.

So many good posts here, but this is my favorite. I think it's a great idea to show it, and if the school decided they want to, then why not? It will give the kids a great lesson on the political process as well as evidence of America's progress in racial issues. In the long run, missing a couple of classes is not going to have a significant affect on their grades, what they learn from the curriculum, or standardized testing results.

As for rescheduling health related appointments, that's a personal choice. Obviously if urgent medical care is necessary, it's not something anyone would want to put off, for any reason.

[PurpleLove08]

Originally Posted by K-Luv

This is a rather odd comparision, don't you think?



Why? Standardized testing is mainly used by the school to gain funding. It can put some kids into G/T, but other than that no matter how much you prepare for it you more than likely are going to receive roughly the same score year after year.

I disagree.
Over the years, I improved more on my math skills and I found it had to do with the quality of the teacher I had.
In one middle school I attended, one of our math teachers improved the math scores of the students and many of the students she taught went on to do better on future exams.
One teacher can make the difference.

[Katiana]

DH just told me that back in 1961, he and his classmates watched Kennedy's inauguration in school in 7th grade. He remembers Robert Frost reading a poem. This was in Omaha, NE, not exactly Kennedy country.

We didn't watch it. Maybe our teacher got some flack for the World Series, LOL!

[FarNorthDallas]

Originally Posted by hypocore

I'm also in the DFW area and know of the story about the reversal of decision in that district...the thing was the district initially BANNED the showing of it for the entire district, which is the wrong course in my opinion. To be completely prohibited from that is just as bad as mandating that everyone to watch it. However, this new decision allows those to show it that wish to, and doesn't force everyone to do so. That's the right choice.

And to add to the story since I live here, too, the district did allow the students to watch Bush being sworn in, but now this time with Obama, they were not going to allow it. And now, class, raise your hand if you know which way Texas voted in the presidential election.

[GreenGene]

Originally Posted by Katiana

DH just told me that back in 1961, he and his classmates watched Kennedy's inauguration in school in 7th grade. He remembers Robert Frost reading a poem. This was in Omaha, NE, not exactly Kennedy country.

I was in elementary school - in "Kennedy country" - at the time, and we watched the inauguration. I remember it very well.

I was in the same elementary school on Nov. 22, 1963, listening to radio reports piped in over the school's PA system. And I remember it, too, very well.

Inaugurations are important events. They show the smooth transition of power, a hallmark of a true democracy. Within the limits of practicality, I hope all schools permit all students to watch - if a child is old enough to sit still and quiet for a half-hour cartoon show on Saturday morning, they should be able to behave ok for the time the inauguration takes ... not the parade and concerts and stuff, but at a minimum, the oath of office.

[TouchOfWhimsy]

Originally Posted by LiveTodayLez08

As one poster mention, standardized tests are coming up for some kids and we're taking important time away to "prepare" kids for the test.

Really? You really think that it is more beneficial for children to be drilled on meaningless drivel to pass a meaningless test than to see the inaugeration of the first Black President? Or any President?

I'm flabbergasted by this.

[mimimomx3]

I'm all for kids watching history being made. The inauguration of a president is a big deal, all politics aside.