I first heard of the 'controversy' over the President's planned speech to School Children last Wednesday and was not very concerned since it appeared that it was a lame attempt by a partisan political operative to score some points against our current president. Then on Thursday I heard that the 'controversy' was sweeping across the country and causing school districts to respond. I was furious that 'politics' was being inserted into the discussion the President planned. I sent off an e-mail to the Superintendent asking that they resist turning this event into another occasion for those who oppose the President to create false outrage. I was disappointed. In fact, the return message that I received stated that the Superintendent was not going to take a stand on this issue but was going to delegate that responsibility to the individual Principals and Teachers. How ridiculous is that. The leader for the whole school district is declining to lead.
In fact, this policy is leaving each Principal and Teacher open to the false charge of 'playing politics' in the classroom. If the intent was to avoid controversy, then it is a failure.
As a parent I expect the educators that my children come into contact with to provide a balanced environment for learning that is free from political grandstanding, partisan politics and fake controversy. They should be trained to teach the facts. The facts that the President will most likely present will be that staying in school, working hard and graduating will lead to success. How is that message controversial? If the Superintendent, Board, Principal and Teachers do not support this message then they are not fit to come into contact with my children.
If some parents choose to believe in this fake outrage they can choose to keep their child out of school that day. However, I do not believe that their idiocy should result in censoring of the President's message for my children. Is censorship really a path that we want to follow? Will my child miss out on other lessons in the future when a TV personality decides to blow another issue out of proportion in order to increase ratings? Or will it happen when another Political Operative sees how easily they were able to influence a whole country in order to provide a bump in the polls for the next election? Is this really how we want our schools to be run?
Please, take a stand against this blatant attempt to score political points against our democratically elected President. The person who called for this outrageous boycott is not an elected official, not an educator, not a respected expert on the subject of education nor are they someone who I feel has any business making judgements on what is or is not appropriate for my child in the classroom.
There is not a precedent being set here with the President addressing our school children. It has happened in the past with other Presidents of both parties addressing school children without controversy. The only precedent being set is the selfish partisan politics of a few people trying to influence a whole system for their own personal or political gain.
If we allow this fake outrage to influence what is taught in the classroom we will soon be sliding down a very slippery slope. As Educators I am sure you are familiar with that term. For those who are not, please look it up. It is something my children should and will learn, critical thinking skills. I do not want outsiders who have no credentials to be influencing the direction of my children's education. Stand up for my children and for the democracy that our country was founded upon. That is what I expect you to do.
Thank You