My son and the Barack Obama elementary school speech

Both Sharon and I have misgivings about the upcoming speech by Barack Obama to public school children. We have watched numerous news reports and heard pundits from both sides of the issue. We have considered keeping him out of school on Tuesday so that he would not have to endure the speech.

I emailed both John's teacher and school principal. Both responded late this afternoon. Enjoy the exchange.

My inquiry this morning:

-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Tuesday's Obama speech
Date: Thu, 03 Sep 2009 10:18:37
From: Troy LaPlante
To: [teacher, cc to wife]


Are you planning on having your first grade class view the speech by
President Obama on Tuesday and follow the curriculum from his
administration/Dept. of Education that accompanies it? If so, what time
will that be happening?

The first reply was from the school principal.

-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Re: [Fwd: Tuesday's Obama speech]
Date: Thu, 03 Sep 2009 15:51:21
From: [principal]
To: Troy LaPlante

Hi, Mr. LaPlante!

You will receive a Connect Ed message tonight concerning the
President's Speech next week. We are going to make the opportunity
available to all of our children, but if there are families who oppose
this, we will provide an alternate activity during the viewing.

Thanks for letting Ms. xxx or myself know if you have a concern
regarding this event. Have a GREAT afternoon!!

[principal]


Next, the teacher responded:

-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Re: Tuesday's Obama speech
Date: Thu, 03 Sep 2009 16:53:02
From: [teacher]
To: [me]


Mr. LaPlante,
All students will have access to view the president's speech at
12:00. If any parent feels that the speech is something that they do
not want their child to view they are to let their teacher know. There
will be a separate room that those students will be going to. They will
participate in a curriculum based activity. There will be a connect ed
that will be sent out explaining all of this. Once the speech is over
the students that viewed it will be able to respond in their journal to
the following questions:

Does the speech make you want to do anything?
What would you like to tell the president?

I hope that this answers your questions.

Mrs. xxx [teacher]

Sharon and I talked then I emailed back.

-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Re: Tuesday's Obama speech
Date: Thu, 03 Sep 2009 17:22:01
From: Troy LaPlante
To: [teacher], [principal]
CC: Sharon LaPlante

Thank you both for your responses. Sharon and I have discussed the matter at length and have both decided that we do not wish John to have to participate in nor endure a speech by Barack Obama during school hours. We have read the questions previously proposed versus the current ones you just provided and can easily see the political storm surrounding this, and for good reason. We have done our homework on the news reports on both sides of the issue. Please have John participate in the alternative, curriculum based activity you have planned instead of the planned speech. Besides, I am sure you don't really want to hear what John wants to tell the President. He has already told us. That's my boy!

I got a confirmation within minutes.

-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Re: Tuesday's Obama speech
Date: Thu, 03 Sep 2009 17:30:07
From: [teacher]
To: [me]

Thank you for letting me know what your wishes are for John. I will
make sure that he participates in the curriculum based activity.

Thanks again,
Mrs. xxx
1st Grade Teacher

--------------------------

When I just now told John that he would not have to watch the Obama speech, he said, "Yay! Why?" When I explained that we asked the teacher and principal to not make him sit through the speech, he said, "Thank you!"