Asheville News

Jones Elementary School in Asheville to record Obama speech, delay airing until Thursday

Jason Sandford September 6, 2009

Jason Sandford

Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.

From loyal reader James:

I can confirm that the principal of Ira B. Jones Elementary School has contacted parents to say:

(1) the President’s speech will be recorded “so that staff can review its contents.”

(2) delivery of the speech to students will be delayed until Thursday, pending staff review, of course. This leaves open the possibility that the speech will be canceled in its entirety.

(3) parents are given the option to opt their students out of the speech, just as they are given the option to opt out of sex ed (my words, not the principal’s).

(4) the school will make “alternate activities” available to students whose parents have opted them out. This is a major concession to the President’s partisan political opponents, in my view, and turns Asheville classrooms into venues for vendetta. This is unacceptable.

Twitter source is saying that Claxton and Dickson schools will air the speech on Tuesday.

I have to say that I think it’s silly for parents to pull their kids from school because they might hear a “stay in school and work hard” speech.

But you make your voice heard. There’s helpful contact information here for local schools and school boards. And you can vote in the Ashvegas poll here.

Jason Sandford

Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.

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5 Comments

Dad September 7, 2009

Guess what parents, if the kid wants to know what the Pres has to say they will find out…from friends and the internet. Wouldn’t it be better that he/she heard it direct from the President. Oh, and maybe you could sit down and discuss it with the little tyke. (Before and after the event.) Good talking with you.

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Asheville Dweller September 7, 2009

Yes because dissagreeing with the president makes you a racist or a member of the right wing. Must be sad to get all your info from NPR . . .

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dempol September 7, 2009

Any chance you might be willing tell us how you feel about this Marla? I am assuming you are a Jones Elementary parent. Are you proud of what your proud principal is doing – bowing to the pressure of right wing, racist fear-mongers? Just curious. Thank you and have a great weekend.

dempol

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Ash September 6, 2009

Thanks Marla!

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Marla Milling September 6, 2009

Here’s the exact message from JONES Elementary:
Good evening parents! This is Marsha Lipe, proud principal of Ira B. Jones Elementary School. As many of you know, President Obama will be addressing the school-age students of the United States on Tuesday, September 8th. The contents of the speech are scheduled for release on Monday, September 7th. Asheville City Schools Central Services will be taping the speech. As a school, we will be airing the speech on Thursday, September 10th, in the school auditorium. This allows time for all staff to preview the speech prior to the broadcast. If you do not wish for your child to view the speech – you are asked to contact your child’s classroom teacher before September 10th. Alternate activities will be available for those not participating in the media center. Thank you and have a great weekend.

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