Our school district's message to parents regarding Tuesday's address to kids. [View All]

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Presidential Address

On Tuesday September 8th, President Obama is scheduled to give an address targeting students from kindergarten through sixth grade. My official communication from the U.S. Department of Education indicates that this message is to encourage our students to complete school, set educational goals, and assume self-responsibility for their education. This is a message on which we can all agree.

As a district we will NOT be showing this broadcast as a live event. We do not have the capacity to broadcast such an event district-wide without crashing our entire district network.

We will, however, record and show this Presidential speech at a later date. This delay allows us to review the speech, determine its place in curriculum, and design appropriate age-level curriculum surrounding the President’s message. This also allows our staff to edit when appropriate.

I encourage parents to record and review the event and make their own determinations about the appropriateness of the message. Should you determine that you do not want your child to view this Presidential message, please contact your student’s campus with your desire. An educational alternative will be provided without any undue pressure on your student. Parents will be given at least a one week notice prior to viewing the address on campuses.

As a nation, we have a long history of our Presidents addressing students. Ronald Reagan addressed Junior High students in November, 1988 to encourage them to stay in school and take rigorous classes. George H. Bush addressed Junior and Senior High students in November, 1989 to discourage the use of illegal drugs, and again in November, 1991 to urge children to stay in school. President Bush used the latest technology of that era by video-taping his address to Alice Deal Junior High students and sending to school districts nation-wide.

I encourage our parents to use this speech as a teaching moment in their own households. You truly make a difference in their lives.

Roy D. Knight, Superintendent LISD