My message is clear and concise. I want all to see the President's message, but because this falls on the first day of school, and that we don't have staff in attendance today, I can't expect it to be shown with consistency across the district.
So, this message has gone out to all staff members:
The President is expected to deliver a national message directly to students on the importance of education via the White House website (http://www.whitehouse.gov/live/). The President will challenge students to work hard, set educational goals, and take responsibility for their learning. President Obama's actions are not without precedent. President George H.W. Bush, did this in 1991 in a live telecast/radio broadcast to the nation's students; President Eisenhower and President Kennedy also addressed us. We have had presidents of both parties addressing us since the beginning of this great nation.
As with any other curriculum, topic or activity, if parents do not want their children to view this, we must pull them from this.
I'm sticking to this message:
1. the speech can be shown
2. no one school, class, or teacher should have to alter schedules to do so
3. parents have the right to demand that their child not participate in this
4. (option) the replayed version from the website can be shown at another time
I'm encouraging all to tune in if they have the chance...it's a good message. I will be reviewing the transcripts of the speech on Monday.
