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Teacher Prep for President Obama 9-8-09 Speech to Students
- 1-9-09
- Categorized in: EducationNews Reports
Letter From Secretary Arne Duncan to School Principals
Please note that the time of this speech has changed to 12:00 noon eastern standard time.
- Letter to school principals
- Activities for Grades PreK-6 [PDF, 64K]
- Activities for Grades 7-12 [PDF, 108K]
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,
Â
Arne Duncan
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The government has absolutely NO business pandering to young children. My child will NOT attend this ridiculous event, guaranteed!
You are obviously a Republican ready to pounce an anthing Obama does. Promoting higher education is not "pandering", it is promoting...big difference.
You're ignorant if you do that.
Are you a racist? Doesn't your child have an opinion? You are promoting racism and a lack of respect for our country's leaders, what example are you setting?
This has nothing to do with politics! This is our commander and chief urging us to get involved with our childs education and for children to get involved in school and learn. Learning is such an honor!
Good! Then stay home and shop for a private school. Maybe if parents were forced to pay for public education they might appreciate it. Â
As an educator, I believe students need to learn about a variety of points of view because mentally processing this information allows children to become critical thinkers. Parents who strictly control what their children hear and see, especially if it supports their success in life, are creating an ignorant generation. Most of the problems that occur in our society are due to ignorance. I think if parents do their jobs, and teach their children to listen to, value, and respect diverse opinions, and create their OWN beliefs based on what they hear and see, we will have a stronger more collaborative and respectful society. Of course, censorship of unethical, immoral material is essential. However, President Obama (I have read the speech) is encouraging students to take responsibility for their own sucess and continue to strive to be their best. I have been in education for 20 years, and it is essential for students to hear educated people support them in their pursuit of becoming successful in life. To deny a child access to that information promotes disrespect and negative, biased behaviors towards others. It is sad that a parent would even think of doing such a thing.
I am a Republican, but ............ since the "village" doesn't help (but hinder) the raising of children, I think that for my children to be reaffirmed in the issue of education, I'm kind of for it! When I first heard about Obama releasing a statement to my children, I was DEFINITELY against it. Now knowing what the topic will be, there's no reason why they shouldn't have an outside perspective on the responsiblity of learning and the importance and impact they will one day have in society. Do you not agree? Another point I would like to make is this:  how many of you actually remember any press conference or presidential speakings when you were between the ages of 6 and 12? Personally I really don't see why this would hurt any of our little ones!           P.S. I'LL BE WATCHING!!!! And if anything is said that should not be.... all I have to do is explain it to my children........they believe in me (and God) more than they believe, and or understand, President Obama!
This is how Hitler started his army. Obama is addressing these CHILDREN and is going to ask them what THEY can do for him....Look it up. Why doesnt OUR President focus on adults?
Ignorance that’s all this is!
because the children are the future. they are going to be making the decisions of the future. if they children are all incompetent then our economy will be ran into the ground and worse than it is now! if the children aren't educated, our counrty will soon be the lesser country. the united states as we know it would be know more! it would be a bottomless pit of sweatshops and working for 10 cents a day! get over your prejudices and focus on the concepts in which to make our country better!!!
thank you i am glad some one apperciates and understands
"ready to pounce on anything obama"? So what you are saying is that its perfectly fine for democrats to pounce on bush but when republicans say something anti obama or anti democrat they are wrong? No matter what you are, obama has no business in the education of my children. it is MY job to care for my kids. My kids will not be watching this. Whether its shown at school or on the news, my children will be kept far away from it.
Right on, fellow republican!
I'm just a kid. Of course I believe in an excellent education, my parent brought me up that way and put alot of money in so I could get one. I was honestly hoping Obama was going to talk to us about the economy. Give us a glimmer of hope, after all...were just kids. We have a right to know whats going on, and hearing it from our President would be alot more assuring than a parent saying, "everythings okay". Come on, Obama. Do something about the economy. And I dont mean the health plan! Where a FREE COUNTRY. Were not supposed to be forced against our will.
hi, i haven't decided what i feel about the address, but i'm curious about your comment that the president has no business in the education of your children, that that is your job. but if your children attend public school, aren't you leaving it in the hands of the state anyways, which is regulated by the government, and recently, bush's no child left behind program? if the same speech on education were given by the school principle would it be an issue?
Bush did speak to our school children, and was able to do it with full approval. People who are not in education may not know that often times parents choose not to educate their children. Therefore, there are other sources available. People who have the resources to fully educate their children are fortunate. It is extremely helpful to families and educators of impoverished students to be able to rely on positive role models such as Obama. I am sure there are many positive role models in the GOP, but accusations and denying our children of sound advice will only be destructive to our students. (I have read the speech, and as an inner-city school teacher who also teaches upper middle class students in the same school, I know ALL students can benefit.)
I agree this is a man in the public eye encouraging children to stay in school. What is wrong with that? Many of those who play sports give a stay in school speech, entertainers give stay in school speeches. Why is it wring for the President to do the same I believe it is the responsible thing to do.
This is hilarious! People will take their children out of an entire academic day because of a 20 minute speech that all teachers will not even be airing in their classrooms? Obviously, the value of education is lost on those people who choose to remove their children for an entire academic day. They are modeling that education is only important in certain situations when it is paramount for every child's future. Have any of you (who are against the speech) even asked if teachers are going to show it? I know it is not being shown in several classrooms of my school, but I want my children to see it because it is part of history. Do we only want our children to learn the history WE choose for them? Then we these parents are creating an ignorant nation starting with their OWN children.Â
Parents are really taking their kids out of school and going to a water park instead of listening to a speech? Really. Even if you are not an Obama fan, you are telling your child to avoid anything that is uncomfortable or disagreeable by filling their mind with instant gratification. Why not have them listen to the speech? Discuss it. Agree or disagree. But don't have your kid be ignorant. This is something new...who knows, maybe some good will come of it. If not, well at least Obama tried.  I am a teacher and I have mixed feelings about what the message may be, but I am sure as heck not going to miss work (even though some of my students will be sunning themselves eating over-priced sugar) in order to "protest" a message that may be a springboard for some good discussion. Think about it.Â
I think it is very sad that people are even mentioning hitlers name in something like this. It is very ignorant to compare anyone to Hitler. Nothing about any of this has anything to do with the way Hitler did anything and I think it is very sad that the people that are having such a big issue about Obama speaking to children about education, are comparing him to Hitler. The man is not out to kill anyone, and obviously you are teaching your children the wrong way to look at things. Do your children even know who Hitler is? Do you understand that you are teaching your children to look at the president as a mass murderer?
It makes me sick to my stomach that so many people would keep their children out of school for a whole day because of an hour of what our President is saying. And Republican or Democrat, it is our President and you should at least give your children the option to get their own opinion from it. If they are old enough to be able to understand any of it, why would you take the chance of them having their own opinon about it? Children are where their parents come from and you referring to this as "Hitler Brainwashing Session" you are no better, because you are not letting your child have their own opinion you are making them have yours. Because they are hearing you talk about this, and they are listening to everything you say, and they hear you referring to our president as Hitler. That is a disgrace to our country and every child out there that is being taught that.Â
Some people believe that educators are all democrats. I am absolutely NOT. This seems very fascist to me. I do not agree with it one bit. Critical thinkers should not be swayed by what the president talks about, just like critical thinkers should not be swayed by anybody. This speech should not be broadcasted to schools all over the nation. Kindergarten? come on.
A man who trains snakes has spoken twice to my daughter at her elementary school during over the last couple of years. The school district has decided not to show my daughter the inspirational speech written for her and delivered by the president of the U.S. I never considered keeping her home from school the days the snake man visited. Man...I hope that she doesn't grow up to be a snake charmer.Â
i myself am a child, i am in the 9th grade, i read the speech and saw the replays of it, i think that this argument is a waste of time, this speech has nothing to do with politics i dont care if a democrat gave it, republican, independent, it dosent matter... it is a great speech no matter the voice. period.
agreed!
There are just too many things about this administration that trigger the sound of that little bell in my head telling me something is just not right. Secretary Duncan's little missive was fine until he started campaigning about poor little Obama's hard work fighting two wars, dealing with energy issues and then his hysterical and academically incorrect comparison of today's economic crisis to the Great Depression. This is raw politics plain and simple and an abuse of Federal tax monies.
I have no desire to have any president attempting to teach my child a lesson. I prefer lessons to come from the district cirriculum with involvement from myself as a parent. I am suspicious of any president hoping to influence my childs thinking no matter how you present it. It sure appears to be a subtle attempt at indoctrination. My child will be late for school that day.
 Thanks Obama for causing more disruption to my childs school than benefit. I am confident there will be many parents that ask to have their child dismissed from the activity.
I completely AGREE!
Lets see:
-First they push to take prayer out of schools,
-Then try for the pledge of allegiance,
-Take away the holiday celebrations we enjoyed as kids & re-write history so it conforms to more PC standards,
-Work twoards the middle instead of challenging students to excell what about setting high standards that need to reached, across the board to reach the next grade level instead of no child left behind? That way the competency level of all students would be at a certain predetermined level no matter which school they attended when they graduate.
Now we are going to introduce politicians asking what we can do for them into our schools? If his speach is encouragement without agenda no big deal... If this turns out to be politicized push for an agenda, I will be highly upset!Â
I am an involved parent & will reserve the right to share My value system with my children. I send my children to school to recieve an education and socialize. not to be indoctrinated by an administration.
you just read my mind! i believe the SAME thing
I will be taking my daughter to our local waterslide park to have a fun day with friends!
Â
 I just re-read the classroom activities for preK-6 My children's ages, and find this statement to be 100% backwards....
"Why is it important that we listen to the president and other elected officials, like the mayor, senators, members of congress, or the governor?"
They are our ELECTED officials, put into position to listen to the desires of the people that put them into their posions.
ie.) They are there to listen to us, not the other way around!
"They are there to listen to us, not the other way around"
This is the best confession that I have ever heard about elected officials. THANKS FOR SIMPLIFYING IT FOR THEM. Politicians need simplicity!!!!!!!!
@Hooligan
The obvious answer to that one is, "So we can debate their policy in a sound and rational manner and voice our dissent when any of their proposed policy contradicts our personal beliefs."
RIGHT on, EXACTLY!
Well, I am a student in 8th grade and I don't like the sound of this at all. Personally, I didn't vote for Obama because I don't like what he is doing. Also, I don't want to sit through an hour of Obama speaking to us and trying to make us believe that we should do everything for him! Obama is trying to get all of us kids on his side and make us believe what he is doing is right. This speech just sounds like trouble. I don't ecen really trust the man and now I am going to have to listen to my classmates bragging about how fantastic Barack Obama is because he is probably going to trick them into believing he is doing the right thing for us!
Oh my God! You're me. I was about to write the same thing. I am in 8th grade, and have supported McCain the past year and a half, until last november. I cant believe they are going to try and brainwash us. PS, I call him President Osama.
I agree, Hitler, Fidel Castro and numerous Dicatators started in this same manner. Charming uneducated voters.  Now, underhandedly using the media to speak to our children in hopes of the parents not knowing about it until after the fact.  Finally, SHAME ON SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS for not informing parents of the "Curriculum" at school.  My Children will also miss school Tuesday morning. By the way, I am a Democrat.
Â
amazing. YOure a democrat who hates Obama. I didnt think he could be more disliked. It is a disgrace what he is about to do.
My sons school has a list of children who will not be watching this trash!!!!!!! Congrats to that school
I remember when Regan spoke to us kids, I remember when the first Bush spoke to my brother, I remember Clinton speaking to my son, I remember the 2nd Bush speaking to my nephew.Â
I remember my principal giving us an assignment on how we can help the president (Regan), I can remember my brother's teacher passed out buttons saying President Bush needs our help, I remember my son doing a report on what Clinton talked about, and finally I remember my nephew practicing a speech that he had to do about Bush.
Now yes Obama gave out a lesson plan(which has been change so many times since his first draft) but is there a difference between that and what teachers and principals did? No.Â
Can you imagine a kid wearing a button that says President Bush Needs OUR Help? Bush did not give out the button but a teacher who was a supporter did.Â
If people are so up in arms about this, then no president should talk to our kids. Let the kids think that their opinions and thoughts do not matter. Just because they are not adults that does not mean they do not matter.
Also, the speech will be online either this weekend or Monday. Read it. Then decide. I know I will and make a judgement then. As for the Hitler comments, stop that as well it is insulting to all Holocaust victims and their families. I know it is insulting me.Â
Â
I would like to see dates and details of talks that Reagan, Clinton, and/or Bush gave to school children. Â Were they nation-wide? Â I can't find any information about such talks.
LizÂ
 I think this whole thing is totally uncalled for. To begin with, I'm going to go to school tuesday morning (I'm a sophmore in high school) and have to sit through an hour of Obama speaking to us about OUR education!?!? Seriously?? We get that lecture all the time from our teachers and principles how does he think it's going to change anything coming from him when half the school didn't even support him?!? This is just NONSENSE!!!! Me and my friends will for sure be excusing ourselves from class. We will not sit through a "Hitler Brainwashing Session" on our first day back to school.