Thursday, September 10, 2009
There was a school board meeting last night.
We have visitors sorry for not posting. Would really like to see the notes posted on the Croydon Town website.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Theft!
"Three-fifths to two-thirds of the federal budget consists of taking property from one American and giving it to another. Were a private person to do the same thing, we'd call it theft. When government does it, we euphemistically call it income redistribution, but that's exactly what thieves do -- redistribute income. Income redistribution not only betrays the founders' vision, it's a sin in the eyes of God." Walter E. Williams
How Did We Ever Make It Before Nanny Government?
by Walter Williams (July 23, 2003)
Whenever someone says that this or that government program is absolutely necessary, I always wonder, "What did people do and how did they survive before the program?"
To read the rest of the story go to Capitalism Magazine.com.
I am a huge fan of Walter E. Williams he is one of the great Economist of our time and ranks right up there with Milton Friedman and Ludwig Von Mises.
Cathy
Spelling and grammar errors as well as typos are left as an exercise for my readers.
Monday, September 7, 2009
To Listen or not to Listen That is the Question
The following is a list of 11 reasons why Obama should stay out of the classroom by Michael S. Rozeff a retired professor.
1. The speech is beyond the President’s constitutional powers.
2. The President is supporting a national role in education, which also is unconstitutional.
3. The President is not supporting his oath of office, so he is conveying an anti-constitutional message to children.
4. The President is crossing a boundary between the political and social spheres. That boundary is in place in order to control government power and maintain a healthy free society.
5. The President is augmenting national power and influence.
6. The President is starting a new precedent that has dangerous implications.
7. The President’s speech cannot possibly be non-political. The very act itself is politically in furtherance of government and an enhanced government role.
8. The President also leads his party, and that fact may influence children.
9. The President may have an undue influence over children due to his position and power.
10. Will fairness considerations lead to equal time for opposition leaders?
11. Presidential access to communications is dangerous enough without extending it to youth.
To read the rest of this story go to Lew Rockwell.com.
Arne Duncan Secretary of Eduction is reporting that this is the first time a President is speaking directly to America's School Children. His statement appears to contradict the Union Leader article below. When and if I have a chance I will investigate George H. Bush's and Reagan's address to children. I believe Reagan's speech was on the television that is different. As I said, Arne Duncan's words and I quote are "This is the first time an American president has spoken directly to the nation’s school children about persisting and succeeding in school."
I do not want indoctrination from the left or the right occurring in public schools, especially with the poor performance in public schools we need to focus on educating our students not indoctrinating our students.
The below piece appears in the Union Leader. Still no response from Croydon or Newport schools.
Don't play the race card, there are plenty of black people who oppose this as well. Have a logical debate if you have to play the race card you can not have a logical debate on the subject matter.
Cathy
Spelling and grammar errors as well as typos are left as an exercise for my readers.
Some NH schools to tune out Obama
By JILLIAN JORGENSEN
Sunday News Correspondent
Sunday, Sep. 6, 2009
As debate continues over President Barack Obama's planned Tuesday address to the nation's schoolchildren, many New Hampshire school districts are letting teachers and parents decide if -- and when -- students will listen to the speech.
For some teachers, that decision won't be made until after the speech -- once they've have a chance to listen to a recorded version and evaluate its educational value.
According to the White House, the speech will encourage students to stay in school, work hard to achieve goals and participate in community service. Some critics of the President, however, view the speech as an attempt to "indoctrinate" students to Obama's views.
Controversy over the speech erupted last week on cable news shows, talk radio and the Web.
Here in New Hampshire, some parents have been voicing their opinions to their local school officials.
Calls from concerned parents, many of them opposed to having their children listen to the speech in school, led Tim Mayes, Bedford's superintendent, to update his blog Friday afternoon.
The timing of the speech, logistical difficulties and technology "limitations" make it impossible for all Bedford students to watch the live broadcast of the speech, wrote Mayes. Teachers who can fit the speech into their lesson plan for the day, are permitted to do so, but are instructed to use their school Web pages to notify parents of their intentions.
Parents who want to watch the broadcast of the speech with their children are welcome, and students will be allowed to opt out of the activity, Mayes said.
"What we would typically do is, they would deal with that teacher and that teacher would give them a different instructional activity," he said.
No go in Manchester
It appears no students will be listening to the speech live in Manchester public schools.
Thomas Brennan, the district's superintendent, said the President's speech is being handled under a district policy on outside speakers in the classroom, which allows individual school principals to determine whether the presentation has educational value. Notice is sent to all parents, and if some do not want to have their children participate, the school has to provide a "meaningful alternative," he said.
As of Friday, Brennan said, no city schools were planning to participate in Tuesday's live broadcast, although some may record the speech for possible use at a later date.
Michael Delahunty, Salem's superintendent of schools, is leaving the decision up to teachers, with students allowed to opt out. But he said he does not see the speech as political or ideological.
"It's a matter of somebody in a position of high regard and accomplishment just telling kids they ought to press forward and stay in school," he said.
If this were 50 years ago, he said, schools would have been clamoring to have children all gathered around a single TV set to listen to the President.
"My personal opinion is that's a mistake (to opt out)," Delahunty said. "I think the parent ought to be watching it, too, and have a dialogue with the child afterward."
Mike Morgan, superintendent of School Administrative Unit 16 in Exeter, last week sent a message to all school administrators, advising them not to show the speech live, but allowing schools to tape it and consider showing it later.
"We have some concerns about a captive audience," he said.
There's also a practical, educational concern, he added: "I don't like teachers showing anything in class, generally speaking, without having some type of preparation for it."
Rochester Superintendent Mike Hopkins is leaving the choice up to individual schools, and students can opt out. He expects some middle and high school classrooms will participate.
And while he has received a handful of calls from concerned parents, Hopkins said, "We believe that what (Obama is) going to talk about with students -- how important being in school is and working hard -- we think that's appropriate."
In Goffstown, the speech will not be shown in elementary schools, according to Stacy Buckley, school superintendent. Mountain View Middle School faculty will tape the address for a possible later showing, but will notify parents first.
And at Goffstown High School, teachers will have the option of showing the speech if it fits in with their classroom instruction. Parents who do not want their children to watch should contact the school, Buckley said.
The U.S. Department of Education told principals the speech is about accomplishing goals and working hard, Buckley said. "To me, that's a very positive message we should be giving all our students," she said.
Charles Littlefield, superintendent of SAU 15, which includes Candia, Auburn and Hooksett, said district principals polled their teachers about the speech. "We quite frankly didn't find any teachers that were interested in participating, and we wouldn't make them participate," he said.
Parents' views
The issue has sparked strong feelings among parents on both sides.
Joanna Countemanche of Raymond said she has no problem letting her two children, one in elementary school, the other in middle school, listen to Obama's address.
"I don't see why kids can't listen to the President we as a country elected," she said. "Parents have a right to do whatever they think is best for their child, but not letting them hear a speech sounds extreme to me."
But Londonderry grandmother Helen Martin said if her daughter, now in college, were still in elementary or middle school, she would "absolutely" ask to have her pulled from watching the address.
Frank Vicente, the father of a Londonderry Middle School student, said Obama's promise to keep politics out of the speech is important to him. "If it stays apolitical, then I don't have any problem with it, but only if it stays apolitical," he said.
Diana Neel of Salem said she had no concerns about her high-school-age son watching the address, but she might feel differently if he were still in middle or elementary school.
"I guess I understand the concern for brainwashing or whatever at that age," Neel said. "I do think a parent has the right to opt their child out of anything like that if they want."
Garry Rayno of the New Hampshire Union Leader staff, and Sunday News correspondents Alec O'Meara and Clynton Namuo contributed to this report.
1. The speech is beyond the President’s constitutional powers.
2. The President is supporting a national role in education, which also is unconstitutional.
3. The President is not supporting his oath of office, so he is conveying an anti-constitutional message to children.
4. The President is crossing a boundary between the political and social spheres. That boundary is in place in order to control government power and maintain a healthy free society.
5. The President is augmenting national power and influence.
6. The President is starting a new precedent that has dangerous implications.
7. The President’s speech cannot possibly be non-political. The very act itself is politically in furtherance of government and an enhanced government role.
8. The President also leads his party, and that fact may influence children.
9. The President may have an undue influence over children due to his position and power.
10. Will fairness considerations lead to equal time for opposition leaders?
11. Presidential access to communications is dangerous enough without extending it to youth.
To read the rest of this story go to Lew Rockwell.com.
Arne Duncan Secretary of Eduction is reporting that this is the first time a President is speaking directly to America's School Children. His statement appears to contradict the Union Leader article below. When and if I have a chance I will investigate George H. Bush's and Reagan's address to children. I believe Reagan's speech was on the television that is different. As I said, Arne Duncan's words and I quote are "This is the first time an American president has spoken directly to the nation’s school children about persisting and succeeding in school."
I do not want indoctrination from the left or the right occurring in public schools, especially with the poor performance in public schools we need to focus on educating our students not indoctrinating our students.
The below piece appears in the Union Leader. Still no response from Croydon or Newport schools.
Don't play the race card, there are plenty of black people who oppose this as well. Have a logical debate if you have to play the race card you can not have a logical debate on the subject matter.
Cathy
Spelling and grammar errors as well as typos are left as an exercise for my readers.
Some NH schools to tune out Obama
By JILLIAN JORGENSEN
Sunday News Correspondent
Sunday, Sep. 6, 2009
As debate continues over President Barack Obama's planned Tuesday address to the nation's schoolchildren, many New Hampshire school districts are letting teachers and parents decide if -- and when -- students will listen to the speech.
For some teachers, that decision won't be made until after the speech -- once they've have a chance to listen to a recorded version and evaluate its educational value.
According to the White House, the speech will encourage students to stay in school, work hard to achieve goals and participate in community service. Some critics of the President, however, view the speech as an attempt to "indoctrinate" students to Obama's views.
Controversy over the speech erupted last week on cable news shows, talk radio and the Web.
Here in New Hampshire, some parents have been voicing their opinions to their local school officials.
Calls from concerned parents, many of them opposed to having their children listen to the speech in school, led Tim Mayes, Bedford's superintendent, to update his blog Friday afternoon.
The timing of the speech, logistical difficulties and technology "limitations" make it impossible for all Bedford students to watch the live broadcast of the speech, wrote Mayes. Teachers who can fit the speech into their lesson plan for the day, are permitted to do so, but are instructed to use their school Web pages to notify parents of their intentions.
Parents who want to watch the broadcast of the speech with their children are welcome, and students will be allowed to opt out of the activity, Mayes said.
"What we would typically do is, they would deal with that teacher and that teacher would give them a different instructional activity," he said.
No go in Manchester
It appears no students will be listening to the speech live in Manchester public schools.
Thomas Brennan, the district's superintendent, said the President's speech is being handled under a district policy on outside speakers in the classroom, which allows individual school principals to determine whether the presentation has educational value. Notice is sent to all parents, and if some do not want to have their children participate, the school has to provide a "meaningful alternative," he said.
As of Friday, Brennan said, no city schools were planning to participate in Tuesday's live broadcast, although some may record the speech for possible use at a later date.
Michael Delahunty, Salem's superintendent of schools, is leaving the decision up to teachers, with students allowed to opt out. But he said he does not see the speech as political or ideological.
"It's a matter of somebody in a position of high regard and accomplishment just telling kids they ought to press forward and stay in school," he said.
If this were 50 years ago, he said, schools would have been clamoring to have children all gathered around a single TV set to listen to the President.
"My personal opinion is that's a mistake (to opt out)," Delahunty said. "I think the parent ought to be watching it, too, and have a dialogue with the child afterward."
Mike Morgan, superintendent of School Administrative Unit 16 in Exeter, last week sent a message to all school administrators, advising them not to show the speech live, but allowing schools to tape it and consider showing it later.
"We have some concerns about a captive audience," he said.
There's also a practical, educational concern, he added: "I don't like teachers showing anything in class, generally speaking, without having some type of preparation for it."
Rochester Superintendent Mike Hopkins is leaving the choice up to individual schools, and students can opt out. He expects some middle and high school classrooms will participate.
And while he has received a handful of calls from concerned parents, Hopkins said, "We believe that what (Obama is) going to talk about with students -- how important being in school is and working hard -- we think that's appropriate."
In Goffstown, the speech will not be shown in elementary schools, according to Stacy Buckley, school superintendent. Mountain View Middle School faculty will tape the address for a possible later showing, but will notify parents first.
And at Goffstown High School, teachers will have the option of showing the speech if it fits in with their classroom instruction. Parents who do not want their children to watch should contact the school, Buckley said.
The U.S. Department of Education told principals the speech is about accomplishing goals and working hard, Buckley said. "To me, that's a very positive message we should be giving all our students," she said.
Charles Littlefield, superintendent of SAU 15, which includes Candia, Auburn and Hooksett, said district principals polled their teachers about the speech. "We quite frankly didn't find any teachers that were interested in participating, and we wouldn't make them participate," he said.
Parents' views
The issue has sparked strong feelings among parents on both sides.
Joanna Countemanche of Raymond said she has no problem letting her two children, one in elementary school, the other in middle school, listen to Obama's address.
"I don't see why kids can't listen to the President we as a country elected," she said. "Parents have a right to do whatever they think is best for their child, but not letting them hear a speech sounds extreme to me."
But Londonderry grandmother Helen Martin said if her daughter, now in college, were still in elementary or middle school, she would "absolutely" ask to have her pulled from watching the address.
Frank Vicente, the father of a Londonderry Middle School student, said Obama's promise to keep politics out of the speech is important to him. "If it stays apolitical, then I don't have any problem with it, but only if it stays apolitical," he said.
Diana Neel of Salem said she had no concerns about her high-school-age son watching the address, but she might feel differently if he were still in middle or elementary school.
"I guess I understand the concern for brainwashing or whatever at that age," Neel said. "I do think a parent has the right to opt their child out of anything like that if they want."
Garry Rayno of the New Hampshire Union Leader staff, and Sunday News correspondents Alec O'Meara and Clynton Namuo contributed to this report.
Sunday, September 6, 2009
A Letter from a School District in Illinois Regarding the Obama Presentation
I thought I would share this letter, this came from a cousin's school in Illinois. Friends in Croydon and Newport have reported they have not received any information from their school.
Cathy
Spelling and grammar errors as well as typos are left as an exercise for my readers.
"This is Dan Schweers, Superintendent of District 59, calling with two messages. First, all of our schools will be closed Monday, September 7, 2009, in honor of the Labor Day Holiday. School will resume on Tuesday, September 8th.
Second, concerning the President's speech on Tuesday, September 8, 2009:
In District 59, we will not view the speech live. Rather, we will record it and then show it to students at a later time, most likely later next week.
This approach makes sense for several reasons. First, as responsible educators, this will give us the opportunity to review the content, and then create meaningful learning activities to complement the President's speech.
As an example, if setting goals is a focal point of the speech, then teachers might also use it in conjunction with our goals-setting conferences, which take place several weeks from now.
Second, roughly a third of our students will likely need part or all of the speech translated. Recording and then showing it at a later date will enable us to provide adequate translators for our English Language Learners who require
such assistance.
Finally, we understand and are sensitive to the fact that some parents may not want their children to watch the President's speech. We want to give those parents an opportunity to exercise that option. However, given the fact that the
speech is Tuesday {which follows the holiday on Monday}, it would be very difficult to give parents that option if we were to show it live.
Regardless of when we show the video, parents will have the option to hold their student out of that activity.
Thanks, and have a wonderful holiday weekend."
Cathy
Spelling and grammar errors as well as typos are left as an exercise for my readers.
"This is Dan Schweers, Superintendent of District 59, calling with two messages. First, all of our schools will be closed Monday, September 7, 2009, in honor of the Labor Day Holiday. School will resume on Tuesday, September 8th.
Second, concerning the President's speech on Tuesday, September 8, 2009:
In District 59, we will not view the speech live. Rather, we will record it and then show it to students at a later time, most likely later next week.
This approach makes sense for several reasons. First, as responsible educators, this will give us the opportunity to review the content, and then create meaningful learning activities to complement the President's speech.
As an example, if setting goals is a focal point of the speech, then teachers might also use it in conjunction with our goals-setting conferences, which take place several weeks from now.
Second, roughly a third of our students will likely need part or all of the speech translated. Recording and then showing it at a later date will enable us to provide adequate translators for our English Language Learners who require
such assistance.
Finally, we understand and are sensitive to the fact that some parents may not want their children to watch the President's speech. We want to give those parents an opportunity to exercise that option. However, given the fact that the
speech is Tuesday {which follows the holiday on Monday}, it would be very difficult to give parents that option if we were to show it live.
Regardless of when we show the video, parents will have the option to hold their student out of that activity.
Thanks, and have a wonderful holiday weekend."
Friday, September 4, 2009
A note from Jim Peschke
A few days ago I learned of plans for a live speech from President Obama to the schoolchildren of the U.S. scheduled for Tuesday, September 8th at 12 noon EST. The people of Croydon need to be aware of this event and make an informed decision of if and how our school should participate.
A lot of garbage news comes from both ends of the political spectrum, so I waited until I had verifiable sources. Upon discovering a description of the event from the U.S. Department of Education's own website (http://www.ed.gov/admins/lead/academic/bts.html), I reviewed their literature. (NOTE: Contents of this website have changed since my initial review of September 2nd).
As a parent, a citizen, and a Croydon school board member, I believe that participation in this event is NOT in the public interest. At a minimum, the speech should be videotaped and reviewed before being provided to our students. Parents must be informed and given the option of excusing their children from the viewing.
Conservative pundits have published plenty of strong condemnations, many of which evoke the personality cults of infamous historical figures. Rather than dive into the slippery slope, I would like to present the case against showing this video using the DoE's own documents as evidence of the inappropriate nature of this event.
1) Federal Meddling In Education
Even if the speech, its contents, and its timing were in no way questionable, this speech is an act of federal interference in our educational system. If the teacher were planning to teach Marine Biology, why allow the federal government to preempt that plan? Why replace Johnny's jellyfish lesson with Obama's speech? Educational fundamentals are much more important than anything the President might say.
2) No Review
To my knowledge, this speech is live and neither parents, teachers, nor administrators have any foreknowledge of its contents. What other part of our curriculum operates with so little review? Would we allow any other adult to address the classroom with so little understanding of what they intend to say beforehand? Would we distribute textbooks to the children before seeing what is in them?
3) Age Appropriateness
According to the DoE this speech is targeted for pre-K through 12th grade. How is this possible or appropriate? Would we have 18-year olds watching Blue's Clues? Would we ask our six-year olds to read the Federalist Papers? One of the few messages I know of that can target such a broad range is good old-fashioned propaganda, which brings me to my final point.
4) Cult of Personality
Yes, I must go here because the DoE documents go here as well. The DoE website provides two sets of instructions for pre/post speech classroom activities. Suggested activities for the younger children include:
"What specific job is the President asking me to do?"
"Are we able to do what President Obama is asking of us?"
"Is he asking anything of anyone else?" (This includes parents)
And my personal favorite:
"Why is it important that we listen to the President and other elected officials, like the mayor, senators, members of congress, or the governor?"
The intent may be innocent, but phrases such as this are quite familiar to students of 20th century history.
I urge members of our community to learn about this event and decide for themselves. I have contacted board members and the Superintendent to determine whether Croydon was planning to participate. I have yet to receive an answer.
It is inappropriate for the President to expect Croydon to grant him unfettered, unreviewed access to our school and the students.
Jim Peschke
Member
Croydon School Board
A lot of garbage news comes from both ends of the political spectrum, so I waited until I had verifiable sources. Upon discovering a description of the event from the U.S. Department of Education's own website (http://www.ed.gov/admins/lead/academic/bts.html), I reviewed their literature. (NOTE: Contents of this website have changed since my initial review of September 2nd).
As a parent, a citizen, and a Croydon school board member, I believe that participation in this event is NOT in the public interest. At a minimum, the speech should be videotaped and reviewed before being provided to our students. Parents must be informed and given the option of excusing their children from the viewing.
Conservative pundits have published plenty of strong condemnations, many of which evoke the personality cults of infamous historical figures. Rather than dive into the slippery slope, I would like to present the case against showing this video using the DoE's own documents as evidence of the inappropriate nature of this event.
1) Federal Meddling In Education
Even if the speech, its contents, and its timing were in no way questionable, this speech is an act of federal interference in our educational system. If the teacher were planning to teach Marine Biology, why allow the federal government to preempt that plan? Why replace Johnny's jellyfish lesson with Obama's speech? Educational fundamentals are much more important than anything the President might say.
2) No Review
To my knowledge, this speech is live and neither parents, teachers, nor administrators have any foreknowledge of its contents. What other part of our curriculum operates with so little review? Would we allow any other adult to address the classroom with so little understanding of what they intend to say beforehand? Would we distribute textbooks to the children before seeing what is in them?
3) Age Appropriateness
According to the DoE this speech is targeted for pre-K through 12th grade. How is this possible or appropriate? Would we have 18-year olds watching Blue's Clues? Would we ask our six-year olds to read the Federalist Papers? One of the few messages I know of that can target such a broad range is good old-fashioned propaganda, which brings me to my final point.
4) Cult of Personality
Yes, I must go here because the DoE documents go here as well. The DoE website provides two sets of instructions for pre/post speech classroom activities. Suggested activities for the younger children include:
"What specific job is the President asking me to do?"
"Are we able to do what President Obama is asking of us?"
"Is he asking anything of anyone else?" (This includes parents)
And my personal favorite:
"Why is it important that we listen to the President and other elected officials, like the mayor, senators, members of congress, or the governor?"
The intent may be innocent, but phrases such as this are quite familiar to students of 20th century history.
I urge members of our community to learn about this event and decide for themselves. I have contacted board members and the Superintendent to determine whether Croydon was planning to participate. I have yet to receive an answer.
It is inappropriate for the President to expect Croydon to grant him unfettered, unreviewed access to our school and the students.
Jim Peschke
Member
Croydon School Board
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Obama Speech To The Students - September 8th
DOE Press Release
"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.
……
This is the first time an American president has spoken directly to the nation’s school children about persisting and succeeding in school."
If this was President Bush doing the same, asking the students to Pledge to President Bush would the schools allow it? Please watch one of the videos that has been presented in some schools. At first it is tame, than they pledge to democrat agendas, than they ask people to pledge to serve the President. As Americans we pledge to serve our Country and protect the Constitution not Pledge to a President whether they be on the right or the left.
Here is part of the suggested program.
PreK-6 Menu of Classroom Activities:
President Obama’s Address to Students Across America
Produced by Teaching Ambassador Fellows, U.S. Department of Education
September 8, 2009
Before the Speech: Teachers can build background knowledge about the President of the United States and his speech by reading books about presidents and Barack Obama and motivate students by asking the following questions: Who is the President of the United States? What do you think it takes to be President? To whom do you think the President is going to be speaking? Why do you think he wants to speak to you? What do you think he will say to you?
Teachers can ask students to imagine being the President delivering a speech to all of the students in the United States. What would you tell students? What can students do to help in our schools? Teachers can chart ideas about what they would say.
Why is it important that we listen to the President and other elected officials, like the mayor, senators, members of congress, or the governor? Why is what they say important?
During the Speech: As the President speaks, teachers can ask students to write down key ideas or phrases that are important or personally meaningful. Students could use a note-taking graphic organizer such as a Cluster Web, or students could record their thoughts on sticky notes. Younger children can draw pictures and write as appropriate. 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?
Students can record any questions they have while he is speaking and then discuss them after the speech. Younger children may need to dictate their questions.
After the Speech: Teachers could ask students to share the ideas they recorded, exchange sticky notes or stick notes on a butcher paper poster in the classroom to discuss main ideas from the speech, i.e. citizenship, personal responsibility, civic duty.
Students could discuss their responses to the following questions: What do you think the President wants us to do? Does the speech make you want to do anything? Are we able to do what President Obama is asking of us? What would you like to tell the President?
Teachers could encourage students to participate in the Department of Education’s “I Am What I Learn” video contest.
On September 8th the Department will invite K-12 students to submit a 2 video no longer than 2 min, explaining why education is important and how their education will help them achieve their dreams. Teachers are welcome to incorporate the same or a similar video project into an assignment. More details will be released via www.ed.gov.
Extension of the Speech: Teachers can extend learning by having students
Create posters of their goals. Posters could be formatted in quadrants or puzzle pieces or trails marked with the labels: personal, academic, community, country. Each area could be labeled with three steps for achieving goals in those areas. It might make sense to focus on personal and academic so community and country goals come more readily.
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.
Write goals on colored index cards or precut designs to post around the classroom.
Interview and share about their goals with one another to create a supportive community.
Participate in School wide incentive programs or contests for students who achieve their goals.
Write about their goals in a variety of genres, i.e. poems, songs, personal essays.
Create artistic projects based on the themes of their goals.
Graph student progress toward goals.
The letter from Arne Duncan was sent to Principals bypassing school boards. Why? In the letter he states the following.
"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
I am sorry but isn't this the parents job. His quote reminds me of another quote.
"The education of all children, from the moment that they can get along without a mother's care, shall be in state institutions at state expense." - Karl Marx
Here is another Mom's take of the whole situation, if you can watch the three videos imbedded in the post.
Cathy
Spelling and grammar errors as well as typos are left as an exercise for my readers.
"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.
……
This is the first time an American president has spoken directly to the nation’s school children about persisting and succeeding in school."
If this was President Bush doing the same, asking the students to Pledge to President Bush would the schools allow it? Please watch one of the videos that has been presented in some schools. At first it is tame, than they pledge to democrat agendas, than they ask people to pledge to serve the President. As Americans we pledge to serve our Country and protect the Constitution not Pledge to a President whether they be on the right or the left.
Here is part of the suggested program.
PreK-6 Menu of Classroom Activities:
President Obama’s Address to Students Across America
Produced by Teaching Ambassador Fellows, U.S. Department of Education
September 8, 2009
Before the Speech: Teachers can build background knowledge about the President of the United States and his speech by reading books about presidents and Barack Obama and motivate students by asking the following questions: Who is the President of the United States? What do you think it takes to be President? To whom do you think the President is going to be speaking? Why do you think he wants to speak to you? What do you think he will say to you?
Teachers can ask students to imagine being the President delivering a speech to all of the students in the United States. What would you tell students? What can students do to help in our schools? Teachers can chart ideas about what they would say.
Why is it important that we listen to the President and other elected officials, like the mayor, senators, members of congress, or the governor? Why is what they say important?
During the Speech: As the President speaks, teachers can ask students to write down key ideas or phrases that are important or personally meaningful. Students could use a note-taking graphic organizer such as a Cluster Web, or students could record their thoughts on sticky notes. Younger children can draw pictures and write as appropriate. 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?
Students can record any questions they have while he is speaking and then discuss them after the speech. Younger children may need to dictate their questions.
After the Speech: Teachers could ask students to share the ideas they recorded, exchange sticky notes or stick notes on a butcher paper poster in the classroom to discuss main ideas from the speech, i.e. citizenship, personal responsibility, civic duty.
Students could discuss their responses to the following questions: What do you think the President wants us to do? Does the speech make you want to do anything? Are we able to do what President Obama is asking of us? What would you like to tell the President?
Teachers could encourage students to participate in the Department of Education’s “I Am What I Learn” video contest.
On September 8th the Department will invite K-12 students to submit a 2 video no longer than 2 min, explaining why education is important and how their education will help them achieve their dreams. Teachers are welcome to incorporate the same or a similar video project into an assignment. More details will be released via www.ed.gov.
Extension of the Speech: Teachers can extend learning by having students
Create posters of their goals. Posters could be formatted in quadrants or puzzle pieces or trails marked with the labels: personal, academic, community, country. Each area could be labeled with three steps for achieving goals in those areas. It might make sense to focus on personal and academic so community and country goals come more readily.
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.
Write goals on colored index cards or precut designs to post around the classroom.
Interview and share about their goals with one another to create a supportive community.
Participate in School wide incentive programs or contests for students who achieve their goals.
Write about their goals in a variety of genres, i.e. poems, songs, personal essays.
Create artistic projects based on the themes of their goals.
Graph student progress toward goals.
The letter from Arne Duncan was sent to Principals bypassing school boards. Why? In the letter he states the following.
"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
I am sorry but isn't this the parents job. His quote reminds me of another quote.
"The education of all children, from the moment that they can get along without a mother's care, shall be in state institutions at state expense." - Karl Marx
Here is another Mom's take of the whole situation, if you can watch the three videos imbedded in the post.
Cathy
Spelling and grammar errors as well as typos are left as an exercise for my readers.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Follow-up to Obama's Address and Healthcare Canadian Style
Yesterday, I posted some links to Obama's presentation to students in Public Schools across America. I found a couple of follow up posts, the first appears on Michelle Malkin's website and the second story appears on Electric Venom. I opt for keeping children out of school because it sends a message to both the school district which will lose funds if your child is out of school and the President because you are saying you do not want him indoctrinating your children.
Photoshop: Leo Alberti
There has been a lot of talk about health care lately. HR 676 was a house bill was a straight-up Canadian-style single-payer system that puts everyone in a government plan. It was DOA but there were 86 co-sponsors to the Bill. I believe people should be aware of this and the Representatives who supported this Bill.
Rep Abercrombie, Neil [HI-1] - 2/11/2009
Rep Baldwin, Tammy [WI-2] - 1/26/2009
Rep Becerra, Xavier [CA-31] - 3/17/2009
Rep Berman, Howard L. [CA-28] - 1/26/2009
Rep Bishop, Sanford D., Jr. [GA-2] - 2/23/2009
Rep Brady, Robert A. [PA-1] - 2/11/2009
Rep Brown, Corrine [FL-3] - 3/3/2009
Rep Capuano, Michael E. [MA-8] - 2/23/2009
Rep Christensen, Donna M. [VI] - 4/21/2009
Rep Chu, Judy [CA-32] - 7/31/2009
Rep Clarke, Yvette D. [NY-11] - 1/26/2009
Rep Clay, Wm. Lacy [MO-1] - 1/26/2009
Rep Cleaver, Emanuel [MO-5] - 2/23/2009
Rep Cohen, Steve [TN-9] - 1/26/2009
Rep Costello, Jerry F. [IL-12] - 2/3/2009
Rep Cummings, Elijah E. [MD-7] - 2/23/2009
Rep Davis, Danny K. [IL-7] - 1/26/2009
Rep Delahunt, William D. [MA-10] - 1/26/2009
Rep Dicks, Norman D. [WA-6] - 6/15/2009
Rep Doyle, Michael F. [PA-14] - 1/26/2009
Rep Edwards, Donna F. [MD-4] - 1/26/2009
Rep Ellison, Keith [MN-5] - 1/26/2009
Rep Engel, Eliot L. [NY-17] - 1/26/2009
Rep Farr, Sam [CA-17] - 1/26/2009
Rep Fattah, Chaka [PA-2] - 2/11/2009
Rep Filner, Bob [CA-51] - 2/11/2009
Rep Frank, Barney [MA-4] - 1/28/2009
Rep Fudge, Marcia L. [OH-11] - 6/2/2009
Rep Green, Al [TX-9] - 2/23/2009
Rep Grijalva, Raul M. [AZ-7] - 1/26/2009
Rep Gutierrez, Luis V. [IL-4] - 1/26/2009
Rep Hare, Phil [IL-17] - 6/11/2009
Rep Hastings, Alcee L. [FL-23] - 2/23/2009
Rep Hinchey, Maurice D. [NY-22] - 1/26/2009
Rep Hirono, Mazie K. [HI-2] - 2/23/2009
Rep Holt, Rush D. [NJ-12] - 6/12/2009
Rep Honda, Michael M. [CA-15] - 2/11/2009
Rep Jackson, Jesse L., Jr. [IL-2] - 3/5/2009
Rep Jackson-Lee, Sheila [TX-18] - 1/26/2009
Rep Johnson, Henry C. "Hank," Jr. [GA-4] - 2/3/2009
Rep Kaptur, Marcy [OH-9] - 1/26/2009
Rep Kennedy, Patrick J. [RI-1] - 2/23/2009
Rep Kildee, Dale E. [MI-5] - 2/23/2009
Rep Kilpatrick, Carolyn C. [MI-13] - 1/26/2009
Rep Kucinich, Dennis J. [OH-10] - 1/26/2009
Rep Lee, Barbara [CA-9] - 1/26/2009
Rep Lewis, John [GA-5] - 3/17/2009
Rep Loebsack, David [IA-2] - 3/24/2009
Rep Lofgren, Zoe [CA-16] - 5/20/2009
Rep Lujan, Ben Ray [NM-3] - 3/24/2009
Rep Maloney, Carolyn B. [NY-14] - 2/23/2009
Rep Markey, Edward J. [MA-7] - 6/12/2009
Rep Massa, Eric J. J. [NY-29] - 1/26/2009
Rep McDermott, Jim [WA-7] - 1/26/2009
Rep McGovern, James P. [MA-3] - 3/3/2009
Rep Meek, Kendrick B. [FL-17] - 3/24/2009
Rep Meeks, Gregory W. [NY-6] - 1/26/2009
Rep Miller, George [CA-7] - 3/19/2009
Rep Moore, Gwen [WI-4] - 2/11/2009
Rep Murtha, John P. [PA-12] - 7/9/2009
Rep Nadler, Jerrold [NY-8] - 1/26/2009
Rep Napolitano, Grace F. [CA-38] - 1/26/2009
Rep Norton, Eleanor Holmes [DC] - 5/20/2009
Rep Olver, John W. [MA-1] - 1/26/2009
Rep Pastor, Ed [AZ-4] - 3/19/2009
Rep Payne, Donald M. [NJ-10] - 3/3/2009
Rep Pingree, Chellie [ME-1] - 1/26/2009
Rep Polis, Jared [CO-2] - 1/28/2009
Rep Roybal-Allard, Lucille [CA-34] - 3/30/2009
Rep Rush, Bobby L. [IL-1] - 2/23/2009
Rep Ryan, Tim [OH-17] - 3/5/2009
Rep Schakowsky, Janice D. [IL-9] - 2/23/2009
Rep Scott, Robert C. "Bobby" [VA-3] - 2/23/2009
Rep Serrano, Jose E. [NY-16] - 6/9/2009
Rep Thompson, Bennie G. [MS-2] - 2/23/2009
Rep Tierney, John F. [MA-6] - 1/28/2009
Rep Tonko, Paul D. [NY-21] - 1/26/2009
Rep Towns, Edolphus [NY-10] - 3/31/2009
Rep Velazquez, Nydia M. [NY-12] - 2/23/2009
Rep Waters, Maxine [CA-35] - 3/19/2009
Rep Watson, Diane E. [CA-33] - 1/26/2009
Rep Weiner, Anthony D. [NY-9] - 7/9/2009
Rep Welch, Peter [VT] - 2/23/2009
Rep Wexler, Robert [FL-19] - 2/11/2009
Rep Woolsey, Lynn C. [CA-6] - 1/26/2009
Rep Yarmuth, John A. [KY-3] - 2/23/2009
Thank you to Angela Young Lash for this information.
Cathy
Spelling and grammar errors as well as typos are left as an exercise for my readers.
Photoshop: Leo Alberti
There has been a lot of talk about health care lately. HR 676 was a house bill was a straight-up Canadian-style single-payer system that puts everyone in a government plan. It was DOA but there were 86 co-sponsors to the Bill. I believe people should be aware of this and the Representatives who supported this Bill.
Rep Abercrombie, Neil [HI-1] - 2/11/2009
Rep Baldwin, Tammy [WI-2] - 1/26/2009
Rep Becerra, Xavier [CA-31] - 3/17/2009
Rep Berman, Howard L. [CA-28] - 1/26/2009
Rep Bishop, Sanford D., Jr. [GA-2] - 2/23/2009
Rep Brady, Robert A. [PA-1] - 2/11/2009
Rep Brown, Corrine [FL-3] - 3/3/2009
Rep Capuano, Michael E. [MA-8] - 2/23/2009
Rep Christensen, Donna M. [VI] - 4/21/2009
Rep Chu, Judy [CA-32] - 7/31/2009
Rep Clarke, Yvette D. [NY-11] - 1/26/2009
Rep Clay, Wm. Lacy [MO-1] - 1/26/2009
Rep Cleaver, Emanuel [MO-5] - 2/23/2009
Rep Cohen, Steve [TN-9] - 1/26/2009
Rep Costello, Jerry F. [IL-12] - 2/3/2009
Rep Cummings, Elijah E. [MD-7] - 2/23/2009
Rep Davis, Danny K. [IL-7] - 1/26/2009
Rep Delahunt, William D. [MA-10] - 1/26/2009
Rep Dicks, Norman D. [WA-6] - 6/15/2009
Rep Doyle, Michael F. [PA-14] - 1/26/2009
Rep Edwards, Donna F. [MD-4] - 1/26/2009
Rep Ellison, Keith [MN-5] - 1/26/2009
Rep Engel, Eliot L. [NY-17] - 1/26/2009
Rep Farr, Sam [CA-17] - 1/26/2009
Rep Fattah, Chaka [PA-2] - 2/11/2009
Rep Filner, Bob [CA-51] - 2/11/2009
Rep Frank, Barney [MA-4] - 1/28/2009
Rep Fudge, Marcia L. [OH-11] - 6/2/2009
Rep Green, Al [TX-9] - 2/23/2009
Rep Grijalva, Raul M. [AZ-7] - 1/26/2009
Rep Gutierrez, Luis V. [IL-4] - 1/26/2009
Rep Hare, Phil [IL-17] - 6/11/2009
Rep Hastings, Alcee L. [FL-23] - 2/23/2009
Rep Hinchey, Maurice D. [NY-22] - 1/26/2009
Rep Hirono, Mazie K. [HI-2] - 2/23/2009
Rep Holt, Rush D. [NJ-12] - 6/12/2009
Rep Honda, Michael M. [CA-15] - 2/11/2009
Rep Jackson, Jesse L., Jr. [IL-2] - 3/5/2009
Rep Jackson-Lee, Sheila [TX-18] - 1/26/2009
Rep Johnson, Henry C. "Hank," Jr. [GA-4] - 2/3/2009
Rep Kaptur, Marcy [OH-9] - 1/26/2009
Rep Kennedy, Patrick J. [RI-1] - 2/23/2009
Rep Kildee, Dale E. [MI-5] - 2/23/2009
Rep Kilpatrick, Carolyn C. [MI-13] - 1/26/2009
Rep Kucinich, Dennis J. [OH-10] - 1/26/2009
Rep Lee, Barbara [CA-9] - 1/26/2009
Rep Lewis, John [GA-5] - 3/17/2009
Rep Loebsack, David [IA-2] - 3/24/2009
Rep Lofgren, Zoe [CA-16] - 5/20/2009
Rep Lujan, Ben Ray [NM-3] - 3/24/2009
Rep Maloney, Carolyn B. [NY-14] - 2/23/2009
Rep Markey, Edward J. [MA-7] - 6/12/2009
Rep Massa, Eric J. J. [NY-29] - 1/26/2009
Rep McDermott, Jim [WA-7] - 1/26/2009
Rep McGovern, James P. [MA-3] - 3/3/2009
Rep Meek, Kendrick B. [FL-17] - 3/24/2009
Rep Meeks, Gregory W. [NY-6] - 1/26/2009
Rep Miller, George [CA-7] - 3/19/2009
Rep Moore, Gwen [WI-4] - 2/11/2009
Rep Murtha, John P. [PA-12] - 7/9/2009
Rep Nadler, Jerrold [NY-8] - 1/26/2009
Rep Napolitano, Grace F. [CA-38] - 1/26/2009
Rep Norton, Eleanor Holmes [DC] - 5/20/2009
Rep Olver, John W. [MA-1] - 1/26/2009
Rep Pastor, Ed [AZ-4] - 3/19/2009
Rep Payne, Donald M. [NJ-10] - 3/3/2009
Rep Pingree, Chellie [ME-1] - 1/26/2009
Rep Polis, Jared [CO-2] - 1/28/2009
Rep Roybal-Allard, Lucille [CA-34] - 3/30/2009
Rep Rush, Bobby L. [IL-1] - 2/23/2009
Rep Ryan, Tim [OH-17] - 3/5/2009
Rep Schakowsky, Janice D. [IL-9] - 2/23/2009
Rep Scott, Robert C. "Bobby" [VA-3] - 2/23/2009
Rep Serrano, Jose E. [NY-16] - 6/9/2009
Rep Thompson, Bennie G. [MS-2] - 2/23/2009
Rep Tierney, John F. [MA-6] - 1/28/2009
Rep Tonko, Paul D. [NY-21] - 1/26/2009
Rep Towns, Edolphus [NY-10] - 3/31/2009
Rep Velazquez, Nydia M. [NY-12] - 2/23/2009
Rep Waters, Maxine [CA-35] - 3/19/2009
Rep Watson, Diane E. [CA-33] - 1/26/2009
Rep Weiner, Anthony D. [NY-9] - 7/9/2009
Rep Welch, Peter [VT] - 2/23/2009
Rep Wexler, Robert [FL-19] - 2/11/2009
Rep Woolsey, Lynn C. [CA-6] - 1/26/2009
Rep Yarmuth, John A. [KY-3] - 2/23/2009
Thank you to Angela Young Lash for this information.
Cathy
Spelling and grammar errors as well as typos are left as an exercise for my readers.
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