Obama speech optional in Barrow County Schools

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Obama speech optional in Barrow County Schools

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Tuesday, September 8. 2009

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Students in Barrow County Schools will not be required to watch President Obama’s address to school children scheduled for Tuesday, September 8.

In an email to administrators Thursday, school superintendent Dr. Ron Saunders wrote, “This is an optional activity and not mandatory. If a teacher chooses to show the speech in class, parents/students need to be notified. If parents and/or students do not wish to view the speech, please provide them an alternate activity.”

Barrow County Schools Public Relations Coordinator Lisa Leighton said she first became aware of the President’s planned speech on Wednesday after concerned parents began calling and emailing school administrators.

“It caught us totally by surprise,” she said.

Leighton said teachers and principals have been provided access to the speech and given links to the U.S. Department of Education web site.

“We are not trying to deny anybody access to this information at all and we are giving the teachers the decision, if they so choose, to go that route,” she said.

As of Friday morning, Leighton said none of the system’s schools had announced any plans to interrupt scheduled instruction time to air the speech.

For the full story, see the Sep. 9 issue of the Barrow Journal.

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#1 MKR on 09/05/09 at 09:46 AM [Reply]

If Bush had tried to get schools to air a speech on NCLB, I wouldn't want it to be forced, so this seems entirely fair to me.

Any kids that want to see it can watch it on Youtube anyway. :)

#2 Potus on 09/06/09 at 12:22 AM [Reply]

If McCain and Palin wanted to spout drivel, Barrow would be 1st in line to suck it up.

#2.1 Anonymous on 09/06/09 at 06:23 AM [Reply]

Go to the local Republican Party meeting -- they beg for dollars to help poor little Palin out with her financial woes -- caused by those Democrat Jackals. She do make me proud to be a Rep. -- NOT

#2.1.1 Steven Hawn on 09/06/09 at 02:14 PM [Reply]

If you have a comment to say, at least have the conviction of that comment to make yourself known. People are in the habit of spouting off at the mouth, as they stay behind a cosed door.

#3 emcgamer on 09/06/09 at 09:48 AM [Reply]

Both Democrats and Republicans are protesting the speech because they don't trust Obama, a lot of that based on his actions and the legislature he's been so quick to push since gaining office. We're all hearing the "socialism" word being thrown around, and the thought of it is scary. Take a country like North Korea.. how do they get their news about what's happening in their country and the rest of the World? It's broadcasted to them, in their homes and schools, by their leader.. but only what he wants them to know. It doesn't matter who you voted for, smart people know that can happen anywhere, and Obama's school speech raises those red flags in our minds.

#4 Common Sense on 09/06/09 at 04:08 PM [Reply]

This whole issue is ridiculous. If a Republican president wanted to do the same thing, these people "protesting" now would think it was fine, simply because it was a Republican. What hypocrites!

#5 Brian Crawford on 09/08/09 at 11:19 AM [Reply]

I was dismayed to learn today of Barrow county's decision regarding our President's nationwide address to school children. Think about it. School administrators and parents afraid to let children hear what our democratically elected President might say to them. I'm sorry, but that is beyond crazy.

It seems that Republicans particularly objected to one of the suggested classroom activities: "have your class write a letter describing how they might help our President". This friends, is a perfectly innocent assignment that promotes the kind of good citizenship we would all like to see in our children. To find sinister intent in this is not rational. Conservatives certainly wouldn't have objected to a similar assignment for kids to help President Bush.

In their never ending quest for bi-partisanship the current administration changed the suggested assignment to: "write a letter describing both your long and short term educational goals". And still, this is not benign enough for the citizens of Barrow county? For the life of me I don't understand the vitriol that President Obama seems to stir in some of you. By all accounts he's a good family man with a bright young wife and two lovely children of his own. He's certainly no more of a Socialist than any of our other recent Presidents, including GWB.

But most importantly, what kind of lesson is this teaching our children? Should intolerance and partisanship override our Democratic values? The America I grew up in proudly supported it's President regardless of which side won. That is the Real America I love but I'm afraid we may have lost it for good. Turn off the cable news folks, our children need you.

#5.1 d on 09/08/09 at 01:10 PM [Reply]

You are right that the President should be supported...but to say he is no more a Socialist than other presidents is questionable. You speak about Democratic values...Well the parents and schools that opted not to show his speech were exercising their Democratic values.....You may not believe that he has Socialist agendas....take a look at who he listened to as a student....What did they stand for? He seems to have admired more people with Socialist agendas than any other President I've witnessed. If there is proof of others...show it...prove it...But if you are going to preach Democratic values....You have to allow those who choose to disagree, yes even with the President, to stand up for theirs...

#5.2 Anonymous on 09/08/09 at 03:48 PM [Reply]

it's not the administrators decision. It is the teachers. And some of these teachers do not support the president and feel no need to show it. Others may support the president but have other important academic assignments to provide to the students instead.

#5.3 Anonymous on 09/08/09 at 06:10 PM [Reply]

"We're no longer a Christian nation." - President Barack Obama, June 2007

" America has been arrogant." - President Barack Obama

"After 9/11, America didn't always live up to her ideals."- President Barack Obama

"You might say that America is a Muslim nation."- President Barack Obama, Egypt 2009

Is this the Real America you call ?

#5.3.1 Lisa on 09/11/09 at 09:23 PM [Reply]

Where did you get your information on your quotes? I don't care for Obama and it is not for his color. I think he was voted in due to is color. I do not care for his thoughts on abortion or healthcare. I just would like to know were your quotes came from. I like to be informed and do my research to be an informed voter.

#5.3.1.1 to Lisa on 09/12/09 at 09:37 AM [Reply]

I found them by looking up speeches he has done in the past plus watched him while his was campaigning. Which I was not fond of at all. Make my word he is going destroy this very country we built.

#5.3.1.2 Anonymous on 09/12/09 at 03:52 PM [Reply]

Nope I voted for him and it WASN'T because of color. Obama came across my radar while still at Harvard. I've followed his career and I STILL like what I see. Had these comments been made by a Republican (of which I am one) then people won't be so upset about them.

"We're no longer a Christian nation." -- when was the last time you did something for someone without expecting something in return? I'm not talking about family and friends, I'm talking about a total stranger.

" America has been arrogant." -- We have been arrogant. We have thought we are the greatest, strongest, most powerful, wealthiest nation -- but guess what -- those titles were slipping away and we were too arrogant to realize it.

"After 9/11, America didn't always live up to her ideals." Since my husband worked in the WRC until 9/11 I have to agree with this. Of course having such a "close and intimate" experience, my views are a bit colored. Ever had to spend the day watching a disaster unfold on TV and think OMG -- where the H*** is my husband? why the H*** is he not answering his cell? Been there - done that -- don't want to do it again.

"You might say that America is a Muslim nation." -- Okay this one, I'll give you. I don't agree with it.

#5.3.1.2.1 Anonymous # 5.3.1.2 on 09/12/09 at 08:55 PM [Reply]

Your right about 2 thing first it not about color nor never have been it about the safety of this Country. Second we are not a Muslim nation.

Now if you were a Republican or would have never voted for Obama or any other Dem. as for me DO NOT think for once second I would not help out a total stringer because that is what I sign up do, when I join the Military and retired from. Plus I voluntary in my community all the time do YOU. And if we were arrogant nation then we would not help in 3rd world countries. As for 9/11 I almost lost my son who was station in the D.C during the attacks on American soil. Who is in the Military and is serving over seas protecting you so you can make comments like you have.

So forgive me while I protect the very Country I fought for to just let it be taken from within our own politicians

#5.3.1.2.1.1 Anonymous on 09/13/09 at 07:53 PM [Reply]

Didn't bother reading the part about not agreeing with this statement?

"You might say that America is a Muslim nation." -- Okay this one, I'll give you. I don't agree with it.

And yes, I do volunteer in the community.

My son, my only child decided to enlist after 9/11 and serve overseas.

And finally, you're grammar leads me to believe you are one of Barrow County's finest high school graduates.

#5.3.1.2.1.1.1 wrong on 09/16/09 at 07:52 PM [Reply]

Wrong again!

#5.4 Anonymous on 09/10/09 at 06:52 AM [Reply]

Our children does not need this idiot.

#5.4.1 Anonymous on 09/10/09 at 08:19 AM [Reply]

I guess you didn't need grammar teachers either.

#6 Reinette Arnold on 09/22/09 at 07:31 PM [Reply]

I attend school in Barrow county and we my parents were never notified about the school showing something unless it related to sex education. I am not surprised by the Barrow County School System reaction to Obama's speech. You do not have to agree with him, however its important to stay informed. I 100% absolutely know it is related to obama being an African American president. I remember watching the OJ Simpson trial on television where was the required parent consent then.

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