This post was on the School Districts site, I find it quite funny that he is making a decision not to show this live feed of the President because they just might run into technical difficulties and this will also allow them to preview what the President of The United States may say so that they (Dr. Hubbard) can figure out what is appropriate for our children. Who was the last President to welcome children to school?
Superintendent Dr. Jeffrey Hubbard appreciates the attention the President of the United States is giving our schoolchildren and the attention that he is giving to the most important policy matter of our day. At the same time, the Superintendent has always been a strong advocate for protecting the rights of conscience of both children and parents, and believes that the District’s approach in this matter is appropriately sensitive to the wide variety of political sensitivities and viewpoints in this diverse District.
On Tuesday, Sept. 8, President Barack Obama will deliver a speech to U.S. schoolchildren. It is to be broadcast live via the White House Web site, www.whitehouse.gov/live/ and on C-SPAN. The U.S. Department of Education reports that this is the first time an American president has spoken directly to schoolchildren about success in school. The Department provides the following information about the speech’s content:
“The President will challenge students to work hard, and take responsibility for their learning. He will also call for a shared responsibility and commitment on the part of students, parents and educators to ensure that every child in every school receives the best education possible so they can compete in the global economy for good jobs and live rewarding and productive lives as American citizens.”
Based on this description, Newport-Mesa Unified School District believes this is a unique opportunity for students to hear from the President of the United States. The U.S. Department of Education’s Web site provides additional information about the address at www.ed.gov/index.jhtml.
Because September 8 is NMUSD’s first day of school, we plan to capture the President’s address for possible later viewing to students. We will not be showing the President’s address streamed live on Tuesday, September 8 at 9:00 a.m. in any classroom in NMUSD as we face technological issues with our internet access. We have many things to accomplish on the first day of school and this will give principals and teachers the opportunity to tend to several important tasks and focus on students, as well as an opportunity to preview the speech to identify age/grade appropriateness of content. The principal, in consultation with teachers, will exercise their discretion and may choose to show the speech at a later time as it fits into their curriculum. If after review by the principal and teachers, a decision is made to show the video at a later date, the school site will notify parents well in advance so that they may complete the attached waiver and opt out their child(ren) from participating.
Thank you for your attention to this matter and for partnering with us in the education of children.
