Keep Your Child Home From School On September 8th?

[Danielle Masters]

Wow. So I should totally be apposed to the president of the US talking to my children and millions of other children about staying in school? God forbid kids get an education. The sad thing is I bet there are a lot of kids here in Lakewood who could be inspired by listening to him speak that most likely won't see the address as it may not be seen in all schools and classrooms. As a parent I see nothing wrong with having my children listen to a sitting president, no matter if I agree with his politics or not.

Flame me if you want, but it's not like he's asking us to sell our children's souls or anything.

[Kristine Pagsuyoin]

This morning I email the Lakewood Board of Education stating that I support broadcasting President Obama’s address on September 8th. How confusing all of this must be to our children? When I was in school, I was taught that the president was a person to be respected in this country. I remember in my classroom watching President Reagan, and although I was young and didn’t understand all that was going on in the world, I knew that it was important for me to hear what this man had to say to our nation. Our kids need role models and leaders that they can respect. Parents and citizens ought to be glad that a president cares so much to address kids to motivate them to stay in school and do well. I didn’t support our previous president politically, but I would have absolutely supported him if he wanted to address my child with such a positive message. It is 20 minutes out of their day—not enough to “blow” an entire schedule, and I think that the President Obama has been clear on what he wants to talk about. Are we really that far gone as a nation?

[Valerie Molinski]

This morning I email the Lakewood Board of Education stating that I support broadcasting President Obama’s address on September 8th. How confusing all of this must be to our children? When I was in school, I was taught that the president was a person to be respected in this country. I remember in my classroom watching President Reagan, and although I was young and didn’t understand all that was going on in the world, I knew that it was important for me to hear what this man had to say to our nation. Our kids need role models and leaders that they can respect. Parents and citizens ought to be glad that a president cares so much to address kids to motivate them to stay in school and do well. I didn’t support our previous president politically, but I would have absolutely supported him if he wanted to address my child with such a positive message. It is 20 minutes out of their day—not enough to “blow” an entire schedule, and I think that the President Obama has been clear on what he wants to talk about. Are we really that far gone as a nation?

I could not have said this any better myself. I completely agree. I remember back in elementary school GHWB was in town for a pep rally at our local high school. All of the high school kids had to attend and some special elementary school kids were chosen to go. I was one of them. I didn't understand politics, but I understood that he was my vice president and I cheered for him and his positive message. I cannot even imagine the fire storm something like this might create today... or if it depends on the candidate and party.

[Valerie Molinski]

Its things like this that makes me hopeless about how divided this country really is. I don't think any amount of "reaching across the aisle" will do one damn bit of good. People are so entrenched within their own partisan political agendas that there really is almost no common ground any more.

[sharon kinsella]

If we act hopeless and just give up they win.

If we call this to task, we get heard. I've been dialing all morning and I've talked to everyone, including Betsy Shaughnesey last night. If I have to, I will do this through the weekend. This situation is untenable. I allowed my oldest to sit through Reagan and they want to control the message coming from Obama.

No!!!!

[sharon kinsella]

My calls so far have resulted in the the fact that republicans were calling our superintendent all last week to control the message.

Everyone of us who feels it is important let the speech be seen when delivered and not control the message, call our school board members. If they do not hear from us then they don't know that I'm the only one. You can find the school board members phone numbers on the Bd. of Ed website.

In order to be heard we need to speak up.

[Colleen Wing]

Since I have it on good report (this deck) that there are only 5 Republicans in Lakewood. I am fairly certain that they all aren't members of the School Board. Seems to me that off the top of my head -Betsy, Linda, and Ed seem to be fairly well planted in the Democrat community and could flip this if they want to.

I know I haven't called and don't know anyone who has. I don't recall ever watching anything but the space shuttle launch when I was in school and I know that my son hasn't since he has been in school for the last 7 years. So I am not sure about the tradition.

I am excited to know that there is some huge insurgence of Republican power taking over the city. I must have missed to memo.

[Kristine Pagsuyoin]

I don’t know if anyone called the BOE to stop the broadcast of the Obama address.

Consider, is this the road we are heading down? I have taught American history. Are teachers going to be censored by a school board, administration, or community if they want to facilitate a discussion with their students regarding the actions of a previous president, or policies of this country, if the truth is in opposition of someone’s political affiliations? Don’t we want our kids to be able to hear a message, think about it critically, and be able to decide for themselves what they believe? What are people afraid of? Obama’s address is a message to our students and I want my kids to hear the message in school. I would like the teachers to have the opportunity to grab on to this teachable moment (we get so few) and remind their students that if they study hard and achieve they might be president one day. I want my daughter to hear that message, and I want kids who might not have access to a computer to watch the address (like has been suggested) to be able to participate in this event fully. Barak Obama is our president.
We are censoring our president on an issue that should be non-partisan, positive, and commended by parents and the community. A president wanting to address students in school would not have even been an issue less than 10 years ago.

[sharon kinsella]

Colleen I thought you went to Mags! I thought they had high standards.

Who said the school board was republican? Please tell me who said that and I'll even reach across that aisle to set the record straight.

[sharon kinsella]

Kristine, call and ask. That's what I did all morning.

[Colleen Wing]

To some extent, the Board, Administration, and community "censor" the dialog in public schools on a daily basis. There are clearly things that can't be topics at school no matter how interesting the discussion would be.

If the school is prepared to handle it, then move forward. From the sounds of things this initiative was not communicated effectively and was news to the admistrators and teachers.

[sharon kinsella]

Tell me where anyone states what you quoted above Colleen.

You wrote, you show it.

[Colleen Wing]

BTW-I did not go to Mags (not that there is anything wrong with that )

[sharon kinsella]

Again where did you see me say that the school board was all republican.

Isn't that a simple request Colleen?

[Valerie Molinski]

It is sad. Unfortunately I think this country has reached the point of no return with respect to being politically divided. It seemed to snowball with Clinton and that so called vast right wing conspiracy, I think that's the first time I saw such hatred, divisiveness, and vitrol on such a large scale basis. Obviously it continued with Bush, as ineffective of a president as he was, Democrats seemed to believe that absolutely anything bad that happened was his fault and everything he touched turned to shit, and that everything that was shit was his making alone.

I was really really hoping that with an Obama presidency, each side would have gotten their hate out and tried to come together, but now I wonder if it will ever happen. Is it just going to be like this from here on out?

Maybe this is just one more example of how absolutely everything in our society is becoming more intricate and complex, simple pride in your nation's president can't even be a commonly held American value anymore.

I would also add that there is no longer any common ground, but it seems like common sense is also in short supply. It frightens me and makes me a little sad. I mean, really, indoctrinating kids? Some kids would be so lucky if one 20-minute speech could brainwash them into staying in school or working harder.