Dear Doctor Ringstaff,
Barack Obama has announced that he wishes to address all school students on September 8th, an historic first as no previous President ever demanded. The U.S. Department of Education sent out letters to School Principals nationwide. They have prepared “educational” program material to go along with this. Creepily and ominously the letter and the lesson plan material do NOT mention what the topic of the speech is to be. After parental and press scrutiny our federal employees now claim its just about staying in school. But before the whitewash we can see the focus was on how important, great and inspiring our president is. As one of the preparatory materials for teachers provided by the Department of Education, students had been asked to, “Write letters to themselves about what they can do to help the president.”
Many school districts and Principals have already taken action by announcing an opt-out policy for their students by emailing and writing each parent. It has been confirmed that Douglas County School District in Colorado, Loudoun County Virginia, Bristol Virginia Public Schools, Corinth, Mississippi, Independent School Districts, Cy-Fair ISD in Northwest Houston Texas, Keller ISD Texas, Mesa Public Schools in Arizona, and Scottsdale Unified School District in Arizona will all offer opt-out provisions. Even educational professionals such as Tom Horne, the State superintendent of Public Instruction in Arizona, said he's troubled that the accompanying U.S. Department of Education materials “are too worshipful toward Obama” and “educationally unsound.” He further stated, “I think that good education practices are that children should be taught to listen skeptically and to analyze and to think critically, and none of that is in the materials.” The timing, context and location of such a speech is curious. No equal time has been offered to consider other points of view or hear from other “great leaders.”
Yet the lesson plans make clear that Obama demands — for to say that a man in such an office “strongly desires” something carries to the force of a strict command from regular folk. Barack Obama thus demands that the students should agree with what he says, find that it is important and act upon it. After complaints of such obvious politicization of our schools, just yesterday White House Spokesman Tommy Vietor announced, “We changed it to clarify the language so the intent is clear.” In that statement they have justified those who initially thought this whole event was of questionable intent. Therefore it is reasonable to demand that the prior materials sent to you by the Government be destroyed and at the least teachers be instructed not to use the previously provided “lesson plans.” The Government has already admitted to one error involving this ill advised scheme among the other blatant errors and admissions in this “lesson plan.” My strong recommendation as a concerned citizen resident in this school district is that this school NOT participate in such an event, because the exact topic and subjects to be discussed are unknown. It would be appropriate to record the “speech” and decide later whether it is of any educational value. If Mr. Obama wishes to address this group of our community, let it be NOT as some captive audience. No politician has the right to speak directly to our children while refusing to allow a discussion of opposing viewpoints. That is not how we do things in America. The children in a classroom or auditorium have no choice but to sit through such a speech. Nor is it wise or responsible for an adult in charge of such vulnerable young minds and spirits to allow anyone free access to them in a captive situation such as a classroom or auditorium without first reviewing and approving the lesson plan. A plan that MUST INCLUDE the subject to be discussed and what is to be discussed about it. It would be more appropriate to record such a speech and play it later after the subject matter had been determined. See news reports: http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2009/09/03/20090903obama-edu0903.html http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/09/02/critics-decry-obamas-lesson-plan-students/ I feel it is imperative that the responsible adults in charge of the student body of Virginia High School do what is right in this case. And that is to not ever allow such a presentation no matter who asks to make it. Let them provide a video that may be reviewed for content first. And then decide if it is a worthwhile or good thing to do. Please do not participate in this dictatorial indoctrination on September 8th. That is what it is at this point. Pure dictatorial political indoctrination.
All the attention that has been directed on this issue has undoubtedly changed what subtle message Obama intended to convey. I would also like to know from you, how you will protect from retaliation, those students who choose to opt-out. Without having any information on the exact subject matter of the speech before this issue came to light, we will just never know what was going to be in it. Without a parent approved opt-out provision, you subject your school to adverse budgetary effects if a number of students choose to be absent altogether over this issue. I will follow-up on this letter with a phone call to you and make contact with the appropriate authorities including the School Board. Thank you for your consideration.
1. Also could be helpful to draft a memo for the Principal to sign directed to the teachers. 2. Helpful to draft a memo for the Principal to sign directed to the parents. 3. Useful for a generic draft of a Press Release to email or give notice to local press what the goal is and what is at issue.
