During the transition period, I wrote the only direct e-mail to Obama that I have ever written. Speaking as a teacher, I asked him to make his very first public act as president a speech to the nation's schoolchildren, explaining the importance of learning and encouraging them to make schoolwork their top priority.
In any rational world, his waiting until the beginning of the new school year to make that speech would not have undermined its effectiveness. But it's been a while since we've lived in a rational world. The lunatics have been ranting as usual. In some districts, they have won. Some districts are delaying the president's speech and placing restrictive conditions on teachers wishing to show the recording later.
The losers, of course, are the children. And the health of our body politic. So this teacher is advocating that in districts where the wingnuts got the speech blocked, all sane parents keep their children home from school that day and have the kids log in to the speech at home.
Then let's compare numbers: did higher percentages of kids stay home in districts that showed the speech, or in disricts that did not?
I can't claim that every child will benefit more from hearing the president's speech than they would from being at school that day, especially in districts in which Tuesday is the first day of school. In fact, I can't even claim that is true for most students -- although I do know some students for whom the speech will be more benificial than a whole week of school.
And I know that it's easy for me as a non-parent to say parents should keep their kids home, should suffer the disruption that causes in the whole family's life.
But I am so damn tired of an insane but vocal minority getting to create the frame of every political conflict or dialogue that occurs in this country.
Just this once, I want to see the political dialogue being driven by reality.
Just this once, I want the "good guys," the white-hat side, to get the attention.
Just this once, I want the news stories to be about what a great idea the president had, what a wholesome, healthy, beneficial thing he was trying to do, and how FUCKING anti-American, anti-intellect, anti-reason, anti-everything good under the sun, the lunatic fringe has become.
Just this once, I want the headlines to go our way.
And I think if all the non-lunatic parents in all the districts that are censoring the President's speech would keep their kids home, and would tell the district why they are doing it, maybe we could get our point across.
Just this once.
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LAGNIAPPE:
Last night I did some internet research to find out how various urban districts around the country are handling this.
I didn't find anything about the President's speech on the websites for Dallas, Miami, Omaha, St. Louis, Carson City, Albuquerque, or Atlanta. Trenton, NJ (like my own district) will not start school until after Tuesday.
But I was surprised by what some districts had posted. I was astonished that what I thought was the best blurb was posted by the Tulsa, Oklahoma district:
President Barack Obama will speak directly to the nation's young people at noon on Tuesday, September 8, 2009. This is the second such speech made by a sitting U.S. president. George H.W. Bush first broadcast live to America’s 4.4 million kindergarten through 12th-grade students in 1991.
As a district, Tulsa Public Schools has not directed schools to include the speech as part of their curriculum; however, some teachers, in their own judgment, will use the event as an instructional opportunity. In each case, the content of the lesson will be at the teacher's discretion and will be supported by the district as long as it furthers the mission of providing a quality learning experience for every child, every day, without exception.
Here are a few others:
Bellevue WA (this one, so close to where I live, saddened and sickened me)
President's Speech: The Bellevue School District curriculum department has decided to tape President Obama’s September 8 speech. It is our understanding that the President will be advising students to work hard in school, persist, and stay focused on achieving educational goals. Following this, the tape will be made available to any teacher who wants to use it in a balanced discussion, so long as it fits within the education objectives of the class.
Minneapolis
President Obama plans to address students across the nation on the importance of education on September 8. The Minneapolis Public Schools believe such speeches by any sitting President are worthy of Americans’ time, attention and consideration. In consultation with principals, teachers who believe that a viewing of the President’s remarks is in alignment with their classroom instruction may allow their students to take advantage of the opportunity afforded them through this address. We are confident that our educators will use their best professional judgment in making this decision, and we hope this will be a great learning opportunity for our students.
Oklahoma City
The President of the United States will deliver a national address directly to students on September 8, 2009 at 11:00 AM (CST). According to information provided on the U.S. Department of Education’s home page at www.ED.gov, President Obama will challenge students to work hard, set educational goals, and take responsibility for their learning.
The Oklahoma City Public School District will not re-organize the school day or
interrupt scheduled instructional time to participate in this event as a district-wide initiative. Teachers may choose to watch the address with their students on a classroom by classroom basis where they determine it to be instructionally appropriate. Viewing of the speech is being left up to each individual principal/classroom teachers.
The decision to watch the President’s address is up to the student’s parent and guardian. If parents and guardians choose to keep their child home from school, it will be counted as an absence. Alternative activities are always available at every OKCPS school; thus preventing the need for absences.
OKCPS will always be respectful of the three branches of government. As an educational entity, we will listen to each and be respectful of their message.
Wake County (Raleigh-Durham), NC
Earlier this week, we received information regarding President Obama's video webcast scheduled for next Tuesday, September 8th. WCPSS considers this an optional instructional activity. Should individual schools choose to participate, they are asked to follow our practice for any additional enrichment activity.
Schools may participate if:
•The video webcast activity is aligned with the state's Standard Course of Study;
•Parents of the students who might participate be made aware of the activity; and
•Should a parent choose not to have their child participate in the video webcast activity, an appropriate alternative educational activity be provided separate from the event.
Colorado Springs District 11
District 11 will not require nor prohibit schools to broadcast the president’s address on Tuesday, September 8th. School principals will decide when or whether to air the address and to which students. As with every other classroom subject or lesson, parents will have the option of having their child excused from participation. Alternative school work will be provided. Parents who do not want their child to participate should contact the school principal and make the request.