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Welcome to Laurie Goodman's blog. I use this space to share news and opinions about education and schools in Ridgewood, the state of New Jersey and the nation, in addition to other issues I'm personally interested in. I invite you to share your thoughts, feelings, questions or opinions, too, by posting comments on any blog entry. Please observe basic courtesy -- keep your comments focused on issues, no personal attacks or bullying, please. Contact me directly at: lauriegood@mac.com

Friday, September 4, 2009

Ridgewood schools will not show Mr. Obama's speech live

The following is posted on the District website:

PRESIDENT OBAMA'S SCHEDULED ADDRESS TO SCHOOL CHILDREN
On Tuesday, September 8, President Obama will deliver a national address intended for the students of America. The address will not be viewed live in the Ridgewood Public Schools. Parents and guardians will be notified by their child's principal if the address will be presented at a later point, and they will be given the opportunity to decline their child's participation. Those children whose parents decline will be given an alternate educational activity during the time that the address is presented. Information on President Obama's address can be found on the United States Department of Education Web site at http://www.ed.gov/index.jhtml

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

It is unfortunate that the school district has chosen to approach Mr. Obama's speech with such fear and caution. Children, of any age, should not be prevented from hearing someone's point of view, on a completely unpolitical topic, because their parents fear that a school district is trying to convey a political message (education is good?!?)

Anonymous said...

I believe that having our young people miss listening and seeing Mr. Obama's speech today is the wrong choice.

President's in the past have addressed the youth of our country, without the fear- mongering that has erupted over this address.

Our country is in the hands of our youth in the not too distant future. What are we teaching them?

Oh, I know, when the leader of the United States delivers a speech well we don't need to listen to it...we'll decide to listen later, but only if the Presidents speech validates our own way of thinking.

Anonymous said...

What a shame, is Ridgewood also rising the rebel flag?

Anonymous said...

This is more than a bit ridiculous, there is no reason to deprive the children of Ridgewood a positive message about education and personal responsibility from the President of the United States. The whole thing shows a huge lack of respect for the Office of the Presidency.

As a parent of a middle schooler at BF I will be writing the superintendent to complain of this childish action taken by the school district.