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President Obama plans to speak school children throughout the United States next Tuesday in a video address.
But some local students – specifically younger students in Independence – won’t be watching it at school. Other districts plan to show the presentation on the importance of education as planned by the White House.
“Based on the information we have right now, this is apolitical in nature,” said Fort Osage Superintendent Mark Enderle. “It is all about encouraging kids to work hard and do their best. We believe that is a good message no matter who is giving it.”
A letter was sent to school principals Wednesday from the U.S. Department of Education in regard to Obama’s 15- to 20-minute address to children, which will be at 11 a.m. CDT. In the letter, U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan said “the president will challenge students to work hard, set educational goals and take responsibility for their learning.” This marks the first time that an American president has spoken directly to school children.
The address will be broadcast live on the White House Web site, www.whitehouse.gov/live and will be shown on C-Span. A downloadable video of the speech will be provided on the White House Web site later Tuesday.
Accompanying the letter, information was sent as to appropriate activities for specific grade levels in preparation for the broadcast.
But some parents believe that the address is an attempt by Obama to spread his political opinions and message on issues such as health care. White House officials have said, however, that the message is all about staying in school.
News of parent concern about the address came as a surprise to some school districts. Both the Blue Springs and Lee’s Summit school districts have made no decisions either way, having only learned about the address Wednesday.
Independence Superintendent Jim Hinson said the address will not be shown at the elementary level. At the secondary level, teachers in classes such as government, civics and current events will have the option if they choose.
“At the elementary level, that decision (for the children to watch the address) parents can make for themselves,” he said. “It could fit in to classes such as government or civics. If it was a situation that the president was addressing an emergency crisis, then it would be different. But that is not what is happening, so we feel it is only appropriate at the secondary level in those specific classes.”
President Obama plans to speak school children throughout the United States next Tuesday in a video address.
But some local students – specifically younger students in Independence – won’t be watching it at school. Other districts plan to show the presentation on the importance of education as planned by the White House.
“Based on the information we have right now, this is apolitical in nature,” said Fort Osage Superintendent Mark Enderle. “It is all about encouraging kids to work hard and do their best. We believe that is a good message no matter who is giving it.”
A letter was sent to school principals Wednesday from the U.S. Department of Education in regard to Obama’s 15- to 20-minute address to children, which will be at 11 a.m. CDT. In the letter, U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan said “the president will challenge students to work hard, set educational goals and take responsibility for their learning.” This marks the first time that an American president has spoken directly to school children.
The address will be broadcast live on the White House Web site, www.whitehouse.gov/live and will be shown on C-Span. A downloadable video of the speech will be provided on the White House Web site later Tuesday.
Accompanying the letter, information was sent as to appropriate activities for specific grade levels in preparation for the broadcast.
But some parents believe that the address is an attempt by Obama to spread his political opinions and message on issues such as health care. White House officials have said, however, that the message is all about staying in school.
News of parent concern about the address came as a surprise to some school districts. Both the Blue Springs and Lee’s Summit school districts have made no decisions either way, having only learned about the address Wednesday.
Independence Superintendent Jim Hinson said the address will not be shown at the elementary level. At the secondary level, teachers in classes such as government, civics and current events will have the option if they choose.
“At the elementary level, that decision (for the children to watch the address) parents can make for themselves,” he said. “It could fit in to classes such as government or civics. If it was a situation that the president was addressing an emergency crisis, then it would be different. But that is not what is happening, so we feel it is only appropriate at the secondary level in those specific classes.”
Grain Valley School District Superintendent Roy Moss said he has received one call from a concerned parent, who felt the message could be political in nature. He said the district would tape the broadcast in its media centers, viewing later so teachers could determine how it fits into the daily curriculum.
“We will see how it can be used in class and incorporate it into what the teachers are already doing,” he said. “Teachers can determine whether they want to use it or not.”
Enderle said he has received fewer than 10 calls in regard to the speech. He said if parents feel uncomfortable with their children watching the address in class, an alternate assignment will be found.
“If for whatever reason a parent does not want their child to hear a positive message by President Obama, then we will respect that,” he said. “But we are going to neither encourage nor discourage teachers from showing it in class.”
