?? About Presidents Address to Students

[disney1990]

I would want my child to watch no matter which Party the President belonged to.

There have only been 2 Presidents in history that have addressed American's school children

-- George W. Bush in 1991 and Ronald Reagan in 1998

 

[MM27]

I teach in a 3rd-6th grade school and we will all be watching together. The tech people were actually in my school today making sure everything was set up. Our first day of school is Tuesday, so it will be great timing.

I don't understand why people would get upset about their kids watching this. Regardless of who you voted for/support, he is OUR president and he is speaking to kids as a way to encourage them to have a good year in school. Do people think there is a hidden agenda and he is going to try to brainwash their children?

 

[disney1990]

I teach in a 3rd-6th grade school and we will all be watching together. The tech people were actually in my school today making sure everything was set up. Our first day of school is Tuesday, so it will be great timing.

I don't understand why people would get upset about their kids watching this. Regardless of who you voted for/support, he is OUR president and he is speaking to kids as a way to encourage them to have a good year in school. Do people think there is a hidden agenda and he is going to try to brainwash their children?

A transcript of the entire speech will be released on Monday, so that people have a chance to read it before hand.

 

[SandrA9810]

I see it as, He's speaking to a bunch of 6 year olds and 18 year old... how specific can he get? It'll be a very broad speech. And I think as the years go up, the teachers will bring up more appropriate things to talk about that deal with the speech.

It'll be like, write to the president about "what you would like at your school to make it better for every one?"
Like the mom on the first page, to a 6 yr old, it'll be about getting a new playground. To a 12 year old, maybe more extra cirrucular stuff like sports and band programs. To a 17 year old, maybe it's better classes, harder class, better prep for college.


Truthfully, your child is going to believe what you believe in till they're old enough to decide for themself. So don't think a one hour speech is going to have some life changing event on them or affect them long term.

 

[BeachGirlFLA]

God forbid anyone should find a president inspiring.

No, God forbid anyone should try to force someone to find anyone inspiring or should suggest that there's something wrong with them just because they don't.

 

[BeachGirlFLA]

You're right it is politics as usual. The split second anyone doesn't agree with Obama, they automatically hate him or are racists.

I completely agree.

 

[SwedishMeatball]

My daughter teaches sixth grade and has addressed this issue by informing the parents of her students that she will tape the Presidents speech and then watch it tonight. If the speech is one of encouragement and touches on topics that are in their course of study, then it will be used in class the next day. If he is using this as a tool to further a political agenda, then it will probably not be used. She is trying to teach her kids, however, that there are different ways to approach a situation and that is certainly okay to disagree. It is not okay, however, to be disagreeable.

This is a reasonable approach. I think some are uncomfortable with it being a live broadcast and not all will find or take the time to review the transcript released the day before. I also don't think that the celebrity "I pledge my service to Obama" video that was shown in one school is helping in this situation.

I think everyone who is worried about this should calm down and remind themselves of one really important fact - children rarely listen. Seriously, they will be more excited to be missing some class rather than being "indoctrinated" by the president. Then they will have recess and lunch and when they get home and we ask them what he said they will say, "I don't know."

Just another day in the life of a kid.

I think kids tend to live up to our expectations and I'd rather not make these assumptions in regard to any topic.