DFW area school districts and the Obama Speech (Dallas, Plano: home, activity) - Texas (TX) - City-Data Forum

momof2dfw · 09-02-2009, 07:06 PM

Schools ponder showing Obama speech to students | Latest News | WFAA.com (http://www.wfaa.com/sharedcontent/dws/wfaa/latestnews/stories/wfaa090902_mo_obamaspeech.13ff05233.html - broken link)

I'm getting the link tomorrow from my sis that is a teacher on the points they are to cover. Some of them are:
What can you do to help the president?
It is important to listen to elected officials.

Those I don't agree with. If he stays solely on the importance of getting an education that is fine. If he crosses the line and goes political and asking them what they can do for HIM........... NO!!!! What I have read so far it is only what can they do for him. Nothing about what can they do to help their fellow classmates, school, community or country. That I would be okay with. To help him.... no. I'm not repub, dem, lib or affiliated w/ any political party. I'm for the best person for the job regardless of party affiliation, color, gender, sex, race, religion, etc. It wouldn't matter if this was W, his daddy, Clinton, Reagan, Carter, or whoever. If they are asking schoolchildren what they can do for them....... NO!

As soon as I get the links I'll post them.

What gets me is that this has been kept hush and only now coming out AND that the schools were not planning on sending anything at all home to inform the parents this was going to happen.

TXNGL · 09-02-2009, 07:09 PM

Dallas isn't listed. From the article-

"In a letter last week to the nation's school principal, Education Secretary Arne Duncan said the speech would challenge students to work hard, set educational goals and take responsibility for their learning."

I have no problem with this.

momof2dfw · 09-02-2009, 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TXNGL

Dallas isn't listed. From the article-

"In a letter last week to the nation's school principal, Education Secretary Arne Duncan said the speech would challenge students to work hard, set educational goals and take responsibility for their learning."

I have no problem with this.

As long as it stays that. From the documents I've read the points that he is going to make is asking them what they can do for him and how important it is to listen to our elected officials. That oversteps the boundries, imho.

If it stays solely about the importance of getting an education, no problemo.

Exult.Q36 · 09-02-2009, 07:51 PM

And what way will Obama's speech posion children. Really this is a none issue.

HockeyDadof2 · 09-02-2009, 08:05 PM

Plano ISD just sent out an email quoted below.

Quote:

The US Department of Education sent a letter to all school districts on August 25 announcing a presidential address to school children on Tuesday, September 8. The topic of this public broadcast is the importance of education. To clarify questions and concerns about this presidential address, Plano ISD notes the following:

This event is not a component of the Plano ISD curriculum and is therefore not a mandatory activity.

Viewing the broadcast is not a planned classroom activity for September 8.

Like many historical events, Plano ISD will have this video available for students and teachers via the digital video library.

momof2dfw · 09-02-2009, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HockeyDadof2

Plano ISD just sent out an email quoted below.

You know, if it was as simple as a speech or a "pep talk" to them about the importance of getting their education I'd think the schools would all be eager to show it. Being that some are walking away from it and not eagerly enveloping it and showing it I'd say there is something more to it than what they are letting on. Makes you wonder...........

Grainraiser · 09-02-2009, 08:24 PM

I think schools are afraid that the speech will be about healthcare, the democratic party, liberalism etc. I think as parents we show fear way to much. I would let my son hear a speech from President Bush or Obama and talk to him about the content if afterwords if I felt there was a problem.

loves2read · 09-02-2009, 09:10 PM

I really don't think many districts are going to stop their drive on TAKS and watch the President's speech

I am not getting into the merits of Obama as president or anything else--but this is not a national emergency situation--most students could care less what the president would be saying--and it certainly wouldn't act as a call to action on their parts to embrace educational values...
I think Obama is struggling to get some positive press--the time to have this speech was BEFORE school started--at night when students and their parents would/could watch it together
and I would hope the president would have stressed the responsibility of parents to make sure their children get enough sleep, do their own homework, and understand that a student has 50% of the responsibility for what happens in the classroom...

miokie · 09-02-2009, 10:33 PM

Just IMO, this is all much ado about nothing. A year from now, it won't matter. Bush (W) did something like this, when I was teaching. We all watched it, there was little controversy about it and we're all long over it.
I'm speaking as a former elementary teacher whose children are grown and gone. YMMV.

Exult.Q36 · 09-02-2009, 11:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by loves2read

I really don't think many districts are going to stop their drive on TAKS and watch the President's speech

I am not getting into the merits of Obama as president or anything else--but this is not a national emergency situation--most students could care less what the president would be saying--and it certainly wouldn't act as a call to action on their parts to embrace educational values...
I think Obama is struggling to get some positive press--the time to have this speech was BEFORE school started--at night when students and their parents would/could watch it together
and I would hope the president would have stressed the responsibility of parents to make sure their children get enough sleep, do their own homework, and understand that a student has 50% of the responsibility for what happens in the classroom...

Interesting statement you just made.... Totally disagree 100% but everyone is entitled to their opinion. I wonder what the young black kids think of the president or the young Hispanics or the young Asians or young white kids. Hmmm....THE YOUNG FOLKS PLAYED A HUGE PART IN PUTTING OBAMA IN OFFICE. AS A YOUNG AFRICAN AMERICAN I GREATLY ADMIRE THE PRESIDENT. THE PRESIDENT MAY NOT MEAN MUCH TO YOU BUT HE DOES TO MEAN A LOT TO ME AND MANY OTHER AMERICANS. For a country that was founded on slavery to be at this point is truly by grace of the man upstairs. My ancestors were beaten, tortured, hanged, and had to endure so much pain and injustice. Served proudly in a country that thought they were sub-human and contributed greatly to what America is today. I see in Obama years and years of the struggle of the black community to be accepted. America still has a long way to go....Since this man has been elected I have heard nothing but filth, hate, and utter disrespect.