Schools say participation is optional for Obama speech

President Barack Obama plans a nationally televised address to schools Tuesday, and area school districts are leaving it up to the teachers if they plan to show it to students.

Newton-Conover City Schools is neither promoting Obama's speech nor denouncing it.

"We sent the information to principals, and we're neither encouraging it or discouraging it," said Barry Redmond, superintendent of Newton-Conover City Schools. "We just said to be careful not to do a lot of post-speech activities. We don't want to infringe on any political views."

He said he is supportive of whatever decision principals make for their schools, but it is optional for whichever teachers and students want to participate in viewing Obama's address.

Obama is addressing students at noon Tuesday. His speech will be broadcast on C-SPAN, as well as streaming live on the White House Web site. According to the U.S. Department of Education, the speech will focus on the need for students to stay in school. Obama will speak to students about working hard, setting educational goals and taking responsibility for their learning.

"It's an enrichment activity, and there will be optional participation by the teacher," said Carleen Crawford, public information officer for Catawba County Schools. "We're not requiring it by the teachers, and students will not be required to participate if a class is watching the speech. There will be other things for students to do if they don't want to participate."

Although the U.S. Department of Education has provided curriculum for teachers to use to go with the speech — there's separate information for pre-kindergarten through sixth grade, and another set of information from seventh grade through 12th grade — Crawford said teachers are encouraged to develop their own instructional materials to go with the speech.

Dwayne Finger, principal at Maiden High School, said he's allowing teachers the choice if it relates to their curriculum.

"We're not using any of the materials that were sent by the Department of Education," he said. "We want to be fair to both sides, so if they want to watch it, they can, and if not, they don't have to. Students can go to another room if they don't want to watch it. I would think the social studies classes would watch it. I don't know about the other classes."

None of the students at Claremont Elementary School will be watching Obama's speech. Chris Gibbs, principal of the school, said he is encouraging parents to watch it with their children at home, instead.

"We sent a letter home to parents on Thursday, suggesting parents watch it at home with their kids," he said. "We provided the link to the White House Web site, where they can watch it."

Gibbs said part of the reason the school will not be broadcasting the address is because it is being shown during the lunch hour. Another reason is because he doesn't want the school to be divided on a political issue.

"We don't want it to be divisive at our school. We don't want our kids to be in a political climate," he said. "And what message is it sending our kids, to walk out on the president when he's speaking?"

Hickory Public Schools took a broader approach — they sent a letter out to every student in the school system Friday afternoon. The letter mentions it's optional for teachers to broadcast Obama's speech.

"If it fits into the teacher's curriculum during that time period, they can participate," said Lillie Cox, superintendent of Hickory Public Schools. "It's optional for the students to watch."

If teachers do show Obama's address in their classrooms, other accommodations will be made for students who do not want to watch it so those children don't have to miss school, said Ann Stalnaker, director of curriculum and instruction for Hickory Public Schools.

Longview Elementary Principal John Black said he doesn't think any of the teachers there have opted to participate.

"It will interrupt the day," he said. "It's prime teaching time, and you hate to lose prime teaching time. I don't know of any teachers who are planning to participate yet."

Some of the history and English teachers at Hickory High are, though, including Rachael Moyer. She teaches freshmen and sophomore English.

"I'm going to ask the students before the speech why is President Obama talking to them?" she said. "They'll present their points for why he's doing this. They'll look for his agenda, and we'll discuss possible propaganda because we discuss that in my class. We'll also look at the effects of the speech."

Moyer said this is good practice for the 10th-grade writing test. Students usually have to write a speech or informational essay.

"I hope it's something a little controversial, so it can be a cause-and-effect writing," she said. "But I'm going to have the students approach this as I would with any other piece of literature. It's just more relevant and contemporary."

On Wednesday, Moyer said she'll likely have her freshmen English class watch the speech online, and do something relating to it, as well.

"They may do a comparison writing, with a speech by another president or another educational speech," she said.

For students who object to watching Obama's speech, Moyer said she'll find another piece of literature to read and write about.

"If someone says they don't want to watch it, they'll have to read something else," she said. "If someone was morally opposed to reading 'Oedipus the King,' they would still have to read another book. We're taking class time to do this."

However Moyer, who said she is careful not to let students know her political affiliations in class and presents both sides of a topic, said she thinks it's important that students watch the speech.

"This is something all students need to be aware of because he's a major world leader," she said. "Even if they don't like what he has to say, they'll remember watching it. And this is a real world writing opportunity. They're able to choose a stance and support it. They'll feel passionate about what they write about."