Posted on 09/01/2009 12:32:53 PM PDT by Unam Sanctam
Dear Principal:
In a recent interview with student reporter, Damon Weaver, President Obama announced that on September 8 — the first day of school for many children across America — he will deliver a national address directly to students on the importance of education. The President will challenge students to work hard, set educational goals, 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.
Since taking office, the President has repeatedly focused on education, even as the country faces two wars, the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression and major challenges on issues like energy and health care. The President believes that education is a critical part of building a new foundation for the American economy. Educated people are more active civically and better informed on issues affecting their lives, their families and their futures.
This is the first time an American president has spoken directly to the nation's school children about persisting and succeeding in school. We encourage you to use this historic moment to help your students get focused and begin the school year strong. I encourage you, your teachers, and students to join me in watching the President deliver this address on Tuesday, September 8, 2009. It will be broadcast live on the White House website www.whitehouse.gov 12:00 noon eastern standard time.
In advance of this address, we would like to share the following resources: a menu of classroom activities for students in grades preK-6 and for students in grades 7-12. These are ideas developed by and for teachers to help engage students and stimulate discussion on the importance of education in their lives. We are also staging a student video contest on education. Details of the video contest will be available on our website www.ed.gov in the coming weeks.
On behalf of all Americans, I want to thank our educators who do society's most important work by preparing our children for work and for life. No other task is more critical to our economic future and our social progress. I look forward to working with you in the months and years ahead to continue improving the quality of public education we provide all of our children.
Sincerely,
Arne Duncan
Our Dear Leader will be addressing schoolchildren on Sept. 8.
Cut the freakin’ cables.
Go brainwash your dog.
Who wants to bet this part will only come up in passing and it will be mostly to encourage kids to convince your parents to support XYZ Obama Initiative..
If they don’t drop out or fail, it will be because of the encouragement of the Lord Obama.
If they do drop out or fail, it will be cause evilmongering unAmerican Republicans didn’t pay enough taxes for their education. Of, and because of George Bush. And global warming, too.
I am sure he is going to talk about the separation of powers and the Constitution!
Gee, this is just swell...we hardly ever hear from the President...will Mommy buy him some new jeans for the first day of school, or will she just press his old ones? I can hardly wait to see him...
Thank the heavens for Dear Leader!!!
And don’t forget you good little socialists, you can still snitch on your parents if they make any bad remarks against me since we’ve only moved our email address. Now go get ‘em!
I called my Son’s school, the secretaries didn’t know anything about it this morning.
Compete in the Global Economy...Is there a class in cane cutting or rice paddy 101?
Yea, and as long as public school teachers come from the absolute bottom of the collegiate barrel, our students will continue to score test results about like Bangledesh.
. As students listen to the speech, they could think about the following: What is the President trying to tell me? What is the President asking me to do? What new ideas and actions is the President challenging me to think about? • Students can record important parts of the speech where the President is asking them to do something. Students might think about: What specific job is he asking me to do? Is he asking anything of anyone else? Teachers? Principals? Parents? The American people?
...• Write letters to themselves about what they can do to help the president. These would be collected and redistributed at an appropriate later date by the teacher to make students accountable to their goals....
If this actually is about education, these are normal ideas, however, if the 'key words' or phrases they are encouraged to listen for have nothing to do with education, personal responsibility, etc and instead focus on supporting initiatives, etc, then it will cross the line into pure propaganda.
“The President will challenge students to work hard, set educational goals, and take responsibility for their learning.”
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Won’t work.
That has to come from a Mom and Dad who are there day after day after day.
How unhip.
How absolutely essential.
Add:
Or tell the president to get out of our lives and leave us alone.
Where is that option???????
“OK students.. here are your handouts for the President’s speech. Pay particular attention to the following sections:
Part 2: What is my Name and What is my Address... Part 3, Turning in Parents... there’s an 800 number to memorize... Part 6 The Internet, Free Speech can be BAD... Part 8, Protesting Capitalism... and for those of you in 2nd grade or higher: Addendum 2: How to Masturbate”
I just sent a text message to my wife to see if she has heard about this and if she was asked to plan that day's curriculum around it.
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