I found this thread that Ted closed interesting and very applicable to D41, especially as I dreamed of a stream of kids walking down a tree-lined street, each with a Identification Card hanging from their neck attached to a USB Transfer Card that takes messages dispersed at school, and inputs them at the home. It also scans the home computer for information, collects it, and is input back at the school .

Wait, that was not a dream, I just dropped my kids off at Hadley....

I do not know if there are any plans for D41 and this broadcast. There is a link on the Dept. of Ed homepage to info about the speech. It is described as:

quote:

The President will challenge students to work hard, set education goals, and take responsibility for their learning.

That doesn't sound particularly nefarious. Indeed, our elementary students are already doing activities similar to the post-speech activities described for the K-6 students (see the link above) in relation to goals setting.

Sounds great to me!
There is no denying that a President can be influential and if our kids hear from the President, any President, an encouraging message that attempts to get them to be more responsible for their learning, it's a GREAT idea!

It WILL be more effective if he uses actual words instead of those invented ones by the previous President...

Sorry, couldn't resist!

But if he waves that watch back and forth, and counts backward from 100, run from the room!

When I was a GBW student, Gov. William G. "Billy the Kid" Stratton (R) flew in via helicopter, landed on the (natural grass) football field, made some sort of speech, and shook hands with as many of us as he could. I didn't get to shake a whole hand, but I do recall grabbing a pinkie.

We were all excused from class to go out and see him, which was, of course, the best part.

The general consensus was,

“Who was that?”

“I dunno. Some guy. But the helicopter was cool!”

I don't think that most kids under 18 are either politically aware or malleable. —Ted E.

100% correct.

I'm fine with it, as long as he doesn't ask the kids to recite The Pledge of Allegiance. After all, that is such a waste of time.

Last nation wide simulcast to students I remember was the shuttle lift off with the teacher on board. I wait anxiously to see if this one turns out better.

I am fine with the President giving a speech that is shown to my daughter, live or pre-recorded. But if there is any sort of booklet or post-speech assignment from the federal government,I would prefer not to have my kid involved. I don't care if it's GWB, Obama, or anyone else. What I am hearing is that there may be some sort of booklet that teachers are being asked to used as curriculum along with the speech. Is this true?

quote:

Originally posted by Ted E.:
When I was a GBW student, Gov. William G. "Billy the Kid" Stratton (R) flew in via helicopter, landed on the (natural grass) football field, made some sort of speech, and shook hands with as many of us as he could. I didn't get to shake a whole hand, but I do recall grabbing a pinkie.

We were all excused from class to go out and see him, which was, of course, the best part.

The general consensus was,

“Who was that?”

“I dunno. Some guy. But the helicopter was cool!”

I don't think that most kids under 18 are either politically aware or malleable. —Ted E.

Uh, you are comparing high school students to District 41 elementary school students?

I do not think that any video presentation could indoctrinate my 4th grade kid to the dark side. I expect my 9 year old to reason and think, and sometimes I am not dissappointed. But my children have complained about blatant political promotion from Distric 41 teachers, so I think that mis-trust of the education system regarding politics is reasonable.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Shaker,

From today's Daily Herald:
_______
In classes where students will watch the speech, parents from both districts will have the option of exempting their children...

But in others, opting out of the live version is a matter of administrators feeling unsure about exactly what Obama will say.

"We understand what Secretary Duncan is suggesting the topic is," said Robert Rammer, spokesman for Wheaton Warrenville Unit District 200. "But with any material we would like to see what's in that presentation before we just roll it out to kids on a live feed."
_________

Maybe a seven second delay, Mr. Rammer? It's not just any presentation. It's the President of the United States. Show some respect.

I don't have a problem with the speech. I think the issue is with the materials that come with the speech.

What can we do to help President Obama, What memorable quotes are there from the speech.

This sounds like something out of Kim Il Jun.

Obama should tell the kids to work hard so they can have good jobs. They will need to have good jobs because by the time they finish college the country will be 20T in debt.

Of course they may not be able to afford college or they will have to go 100K in debt themselves.

But once they finish paying paying off their student loans they will have to really save because by that time the Social Security system will be bankrupt.

So, yes helpful advice like that would do the kids a lot of good.

Does anyone know if the speech will be broadcast at Hadley?

Per the latest D41 E-News

quote:

President's speech will not be shown in school
A number of parents have inquired about District 41's plans with respect to President Obama's address to schoolchildren on Tuesday, Sept. 8. District 41 schools will not be showing the speech as the broadcast time makes it difficult to incorporate into the day, especially as many students will be taking the Measure of Academic Progress (MAP) test on that day. The speech will be available online for families who wish to view and discuss it together at home. Also, DVDs of the address will be available for those teachers who wish to use all or part of it in class at a later date, for example in social studies. More information about the address is available at http://www.ed.gov/index.jhtml.

There's a sign up for E-News on the D41 homepage.

I think it fair to ask, even if this is not the best forum for asking it…

Who made that decision?
Why was this acceptable practice for a republican Pres but not a Dem?

I remember being herded into a hallway with my other 3rd graders to watch Apollo 14 broadcasts. We then spent time discussing what this meant for us as a country (this message brought to you be President Nixon).

What’s next, are we going to cancel the Presidential Physical Fitness programs? Should we take down the pictures of the President from the classrooms? Should we strip the Governor’s name from our toll booths (wait, that was a good idea).

Maybe we should just go with, “He who cannot be named wants you to study hard, stay in school and get good grades so that you to can become someone who cannot be named.”

Sorry to dump on you Bob, but this is… weak.

Give this a rest guys...Bob and the Board are not out to Dis the Pres. It is available to see and hear if you want, just not mandatory viewing. Spend the time learning Math and English. Everyone always talks about politicians are full of hot air. The subject matter or the person delivering it makes a difference?

Notice from 87 just now says "Glenbard District 87 will offer students the option of watching the speech...Glenbard teachers will have the option to bring their students to an area in school to watch the speech."

So the option is decided by the teachers? Not really offering the students an option then is it?

quote:

Originally posted by Rob Herbold:
Give this a rest guys...Bob and the Board are not out to Dis the Pres... (some text removed) The subject matter or the person delivering it makes a difference?

I did and do apologize to Bob – my message was not meant as an indictment of Mr. Solak or any of the board members (unless they participated in this decision). I just believe that this is a missed opportunity to stress the importance of education, and if disseminated by individual teacher choice, then it becomes a political issue (with individual teacher bias deciding).

The Pres should reach out to our students and urge them to do more Math and English.

Again, I am sorry if my message was seen as negative of Bob’s posting or participation in this thread. Additional my question asking was meant more in a metaphorical nature. It just seems that we have real issues that never get addressed by the Dist, but “A number of parents” ask about the appropriateness of a president’s message, and we have the ability to jump to action.

I don’t remember poo-poohing this Christopher Robin.

Would you support a school-wide showing and discussion if it were held on another day?

Ummm.... I would suggest everybody read into the e-News exactly what it says. There was a conflict with MAP testing as well as the time (11AM central) making it difficult to fit into the schedule. It also states that DVDs of the speech would be available for later viewing as seen as applicable by teachers. Perhaps right before goals-setting? I really don't know.

I assure you I didn't contact the Administration about this. I'd assume that no one else on the BOE did, either. Personally, I don't think this decision (showing vs. not-showing) is one the Board should be involved in.

The nationwide brouhaha over this thing seemed to be centered on some of the suggested themes for post-speech discussion, not the speech itself (although it'd be nice if they publish the text beforehand). I understand the DOE has since revised the language of the attachments.