My Letter to the Principal of My Son's School.

[MarianJack]

This is an edited version of my letter to the principal of my son's school. Only I wrote and signed the letter because my wife may need to apply for a job with the school district. She does, however, agree with what I'm saying and had a great deal of input on the content and tone.

Let me say that I have a great deal of respect for the Principal. She does a great job with our little school community. This is the beginning of her third year and this is the first decision of hers that I disagree with. However, to 2 former educators like my wife and I, that only makes this abdication of responsibility and this capitulation to a deliberately mis-informed minority all the more vexing. I am willing to cut NO slack for the provision made that any teacher may show the speech if it "fits into a Social Studies lesson".

The editing is, of course, to protect the anonymity of the Principal, the School and my Family. Here it is.

Dear Mrs. XXXXXX,

Please allow me to begin this letter with an expression of my wife's and my support for the direction in which you've led XXXXXX School and the guidance you provide. We are very happy with the supportive and accepting environment presented to our son. This environment has influenced many of the decisions we've made. We want XXXXXX to complete his elementary education at XXXXXX school.

As a parent yourself, you know that in any direction we take, the welfare and nurturing of our child is paramount.

This being said, I have to say that I am very dismayed at the decision to not show President Obama's speech to the children of our nation on Tuesday, September 8, 2009. The children are able to directly see and hear a historical President make a direct plea, quite certainly to some children who will eventually hold his office, to take advantage of the educational opportunities presented to them in our country. Opportunities, I might add, that were taken full advantage of by every teacher and adjunct faculty member of the XXXXXX school.

As you know, I have previously expressed my desire that XXXXXX be given the chance to see this speech. My wife and I also make the request that he be given permission to go to a classroom that chooses to show the speech if his teacher does not. We believe that this is especially important that he experience this moment. We believe that this is an opportunity for American school children to hear a message of hope and possibility. We believe it to be the chance for children to see that they live in a land where, finally, all doors are open to them, IF they take advantage of their chance to become educated and inspired.

I have to express my extreme disappointment in the decision of XXXXXX school not to watch the speech. We believe this decision deprives the students of a chance to take a further step in their journey to being those educated and informed citizens that a free nation needs to survive and thrive. We hope that there would be no repetition of such disappointing decisions.

Sincerely,
XXXXXX

I very deliberately focused on the EDUCATIONAL, not the political aspects. I also wrote a letter that does not show the depth of my anger by such an apparent lack of administrative courage. I wanted to very specifically stand aside from the tea-baggers, birthers, deathers and other assorted loons on the other side. I've always believed that in situations like this, the moment you show temper or use any profane or deliberately disrespectful words, you give the person to whom you are speaking (or writing) license to dismiss your point. I've seen nothing to dissuade me from that view.

PEACE!

[orpupilofnature57]

1. Thats Responsible Parenting ,not exploiting Parental Authority.

If the wacko's had to articulate what bothered them about the presidents speech,this would be the great event it Should be ,instead of another Kkkarl Trick.

[MarianJack]

5. They'd be Stuck on "How Do You Spell...

...Black"?

[excess_3]

2. the speach video will be posted on the internet

you and your children can watch it any time of
your choosing.

[orpupilofnature57]

4. Thats why They hate the internet ,I love it.

[MarianJack]

7. But Isn't it the...

...internets?

[MarianJack]

6. Our Internet connection SUCKS, so seeing the video may be difficult,...

...but we will see it. The point is the cowardice of not showing in school.

BTW, only 1 child.

[noamnety]

3. This is one of the better letters I've seen posted here

for exactly the reasons you outlined in that last paragraph of your post. Well done.

[MarianJack]

8. My Father is a...

...bastard, but he taught me a few valuable lessons.

One of the best is that, in a debate or argument, the first guy to blow his cool loses.

Unfortunately for him, I learned to use this tactic against HIM very well!

PEACE!

[TiredOldMan]

9. Great letter. Focusing on the educational benefits rather than

the political reasoning is exactly the way to go about things when talking about public schools.

[MarianJack]

10. Thanx!

[HelenWheels]

11. Go to the next board meeting and let them know too

Most meeting should have an opportunity for the public to speak at the end. Let them know it was unacceptable and disrespectful toward the office of the President. Also let them know that if a formal policy to rectify the situation isn't forth coming that you expect that the same standards and procedures will apply to all futures speakers, especially politicians.

[MarianJack]

12. That is EXACTLY What We intend to do.

I found out that this was a Superintendent decision. I am not going to make the mistake of letting the teabaggers win because they are the only ones talking (screaming?).

Little does this Superintendent know that this surrender will only make the deliberately mis-informed worse. I told the Principal to expect a push for creationism to come soon.

PEACE!