With all the publicity around the school speech, I finally got around to asking our school about it

[Kber]

First of all, we have no school today. We have ALWAYS started on the Wednesday after Labor Day, so no change there.

Second, I live in a staunchly conservative town. We voted for McCain by a 53% margin, the lowest Republican margin in recent memory.

We have 5000 or so residents and tens of churches, chapels, cathedrals, and even a convent near by.

But I was curious, so I asked and here is what I was told.

Yes - all children will be watching a taped recording of the speech, probably on Thursday to accommodate the crazy schedule on the first day of school.

After the speech, there will be several different discussions or activities, depending on the age group. Elementary students will review a lesson the the structure of government (the different branches) etc.

Older children will participate in a discussion about the current state of our public discourse and whether it is healthy for democracy. They will be given lessons on how to research media, strategies for discovering what bills actually promote, and generally how to determine and live up to their responsibilities as a member of a democratic society.

I'll be interested in what my 7th grader comes home with.

[elleng]

1. Sounds good!

[Kber]

2. It does.

A few years back an "activist" picked us as a likely target to test including Intelligent Design in our science classes. I have a friend on the school board and she asked me to attend the meeting where the guy was presenting his proposed course of study, so make sure she had some liberal support in the meeting for giving the guy the boot.

Before I got a chance to speak, a neighbor of mine got to the mike. He's a Republican (like most of my neighbors) and goes to church every sunday.

So he explains his background that the out of town "guest" is practically licking his lips, cause he's sure he's got a supporter.

Then my neighbor says, "So I believe that God had a hand in creating the universe and want my kids to learn that, which is why I go to church and they go to Sunday School. But I also want them to go to college, which is why I pay my taxes & live in a district with such good schools. If my son doesn't learn science in science class, how exactly is he going to get into Princeton?"

Which pretty much set the tone for the meeting. I never spoke, but the "proposal" was voted down unanimously.

I personally think that Palin was mostly to blame for the low Republican support (by our town's standards, any way) in 2008.

[Laelth]

4. Wow! Sane conservatives. What a nice change!

Most of the ones I hear from around here are not nearly so sane. I rather envy you.

:dem:

-Laelth

[mwb970]

3. Sounds normal.

These activities would be considered beneficial and unremarkable, were it not for the squalling from the wackaloons.

[GreenPartyVoter]

5. Come 2:30 I will be finding out if mine watched it. If not, we're going to find it online. (Sadly

C-Span kept freezing on me. Maybe an overload of viewers?)