What Kids Say About School

 

By Larissa Hirsch, MD
September 5, 2009

 

It’s that time of year. The new school year is getting going — or already has — for millions of kids. We know everyone likes summer vacation more, but when we asked kids if they liked school, would you believe many of them said …YES?

No, they don’t love each second, every pop quiz and art project gone wrong. But on most days, 65% of kids said they liked school a lot (25%) or some (40%).

But what about the other 35%? We asked 965 kids, so that means about 337 kids were not happy on schooldays. On most days, 13% of those kids said they disliked it some and 22% said they disliked school a lot. That’s a problem considering many kids spend 180 days a year in school.

Boys Are Less Happy

Girls were generally happier than boys, with 29% of girls saying they liked school a lot compared with 21% of boys. Similarly, 44% of girls said they liked school some, while only 35% of boys said that.

When it came to disliking school, here’s how kids answered:

       I dislike school some: 14% boys; 13% girls

       I dislike school a lot: 30% boys; 14% girls

If kids aren’t happy at school, it’s usually because of some problem — or a group of problems. It could be low grades, trouble with friends, or problems at home. Kids can find help by talking to a counselor, teacher, or another adult at school. But more than half of the kids said they would find it difficult or impossible to use this kind of help.

Without seeking help, kids are less likely to solve the problems they’re having. Grades may get worse, a bully may keep on bullying, and worry over a family situation could keep getting in the way.

 

It Can Be Hard to Ask for Help

Boys, who are more likely to dislike school, also are the least likely to seek out help from a school counselor or staff member. Overall, about 60% of kids said it would be at least a little hard to talk to a school official about their problems. But twice as many boys as girls said they would never talk to an adult at school about their problems.

Doctors and other experts say that kids might not seek help for the following reasons:

       “I don’t want to talk to a stranger.”

       “I don’t think anyone can help me.”

       “I don’t want my friends to know.”

But here are some good reasons to seek help anyway:

 

       Talking to a stranger: It can feel a little weird to open up to someone you don’t know. But school staff aren’t exactly strangers. They’re trained (and paid) to help kids at your school — and that means helping kids with problems. 

       Thinking no one can help: It’s normal to feel sad if you have a tough problem to solve. But counselors, in particular, are experts in helping kids. Even if they can’t solve your problem right away, they can help you make a plan and they can invite other people in to help.

 

       Not wanting to be different: If your school makes it super-obvious that you’re going to see the counselor, it might make you feel a little weird. (For instance, if you have to carry a fluorescent orange hall pass.) You can look for alternative ways to communicate with the counselor. You might call from home, write a note, or send an email.

Your mom or dad also could offer to call the counselor for you. If your counselor wants to meet at school, you can do it before school, after school, or at some time other than class. Also remember that you don’t have to tell people that you are seeing the counselor or what you’re seeing the counselor about. It might help to practice what you plan to say if someone asks you why you’re going.

If you start talking about a problem and beginning to solve it, you just might find you don’t dislike school so much anymore. You might start noticing that school is the place where your friends make you laugh, you learn new things, and your locker opens on the first try — at least on most days!

 

What’s a KidsPoll?

The group that took this KidsPoll included an almost equal number of boys and girls who were between 9 and 13 years old. They answered the questions on handheld data devices while visiting these health education centers and children’s museums:

       Children’s Health Education Center — Milwaukee, Wisconsin

       HealthWorks! Kids Museum — South Bend, Indiana

       Health World Children’s Museum — Barrington, Illinois

       Kansas Learning Center for Health Education — Halstead, Kansas

       Lilly Health Education Center — Indianapolis, Indiana

       McMillen Center for Health Education — Ft. Wayne, Indiana

       Weller Health Education Center — Eaton, Pennsylvania

 

A poll, like the KidsPoll, asks people a list of questions. Then researchers compile all the answers and look at the way the group answered. They calculate how many (or what percentage) answered “yes” to this question and “no” to that one. Polls give us clues about how most people, not just the ones who answered the poll questions, feel about certain issues. We’ll be conducting more KidsPolls in the future to find out what kids say — maybe you’ll be part of one!

Source: Kids Health

Editor’s Note: We would like to know what you think? dan@youngchronicle.com

Pranks Kids Play at School

By Alexander
September 4, 2009 

 

 

Dear Alexander,

(Q) I am 10 years old and allergic to peanuts. Somebody put peanut butter in my desk at school. What should I do about making sure my classmates understand my allergy instead of being mean about it?

 

(A) Sometimes kids can be mean when they do not understand something. Talk to your parents and your teacher so they can help you to come up with a plan to talk to your classmates about how serious a food allergy is. The kids will learn that food allergy can make someone very sick if they play tricks like putting peanut butter on your desk or on your personal items. The more they learn about food allergy, the more likely they will be willing to help you stay safe at school.

If anyone is ever threatening or bullying you, tell your parents, teacher, or an adult you trust.

 

Good luck!

Your friend,

 

Alexander the Elephant

 

 

Editor’s Note: The information above is not designed to take the place of a doctor’s instructions. Patients are urged to contact a doctor for specific information regarding guidelines for care.

We would like to know what you Think? dan@youngchronicle.com

Source: Food Allergy

Start a Book Club with Your Friends

 

By Family Fun
Sept. 5, 2009

A kids’ book club can provide relief from winter boredom on two fronts. First, it offers a fun weekly (or monthly) occasion to look forward to, and second, it is a great incentive to read stories that jump-start the imagination.

To make lighter work, partner up with a friend, then send out invitations that include the title of the first book (ask your librarian for a recommendation) and a weekly time to meet. A bookmark, with extra spaces where the book titles will go, makes the perfect invitation. Before the club meeting, all the kids read the same book (or specified chapters), then come together for snacks and discussion. To get things started, the host child might want to write up a list of five discussion questions (What was your favorite part? Who was the best character?). Or, if the readers are little, you can read aloud while they listen or draw along to the story. If the kids like, you might consider choosing a loose theme for the books–for example, all winter stories, or all summery stories, or books from everyone’s favorite series of the moment.

Source: Family Fun

 

Editor’s Note: We would like to know what you think? dan@youngchronicle.com

Labor Day Recipe Turkey Burger

 

By Eating Well
Sept. 5, 2009

Summer’s end is fast approaching: Have you had your share of grilled burgers, steak and other seasonal fare? Make the most of your long Labor Day weekend by huddling around the barbecue one last time.

 

Spicy Turkey Burgers with Pickled Onions

Spicy Southwest flavors pair with sweet, tangy pickled red onions to create a standout turkey burger. If you’re used to beefy cheeseburgers, don’t worry – you won’t be disappointed.

Serves: 4
Preparation time: 35 minutes

 

Ingredients
For the pickled onions:
1 cup red wine vinegar
2 tablespoons packed brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
1 small red onion, halved and very thinly sliced

For the burgers:
1 pound 93% lean ground turkey
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
1-1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon ground chipotle pepper
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon ground allspice
1 teaspoon canola oil
4 whole-wheat buns, split
8 teaspoons reduced-fat mayonnaise

 

Preparation
To prepare pickled onions:
1. Whisk vinegar, brown sugar, salt and allspice in a medium glass bowl. Cover and microwave on High until the mixture boils, 2-3 minutes. (Or bring the mixture to a boil in a small saucepan on the stove.) Add onion and toss to coat.

To prepare burgers:
1. Preheat grill to high.

2. Place turkey in a medium bowl and gently mix in cilantro, cumin, ground chipotle, salt and allspice until distributed throughout the meat. Form the mixture into 4 patties. Brush with oil.

3. Grill the burgers until cooked through and no longer pink in the center, 3-4 minutes per side. Toast buns on the grill, if desired.

4. Drain the onion, discarding the marinade. Spread 2 teaspoons mayonnaise on each bun; top with a burger and pickled onions.

Enjoy!

 

Nutrition Facts
Per serving:
308 calories
12 g fat (3 g sat, 1 g mono)
65 mg cholesterol
30 g carbohydrate
26 g protein
4 g fiber
738 mg sodium
150 mg potassium

Source: Lifescript

 

Editor’s Note: We would like to know what you think? dan@youngchronicle.com

Wish of the Week – Andres

By MWF
Sept. 5, 2009

Ten-year-old Andres from Coral Gables is passionate about baseball and idolizes Hanley Ramirez of the Florida Marlins. On his own baseball team, he dons Hanley’s number (#2), plays his position (shortstop) and insists on wearing the same gear as the big leaguer.

When his wish came true, Andres and his family headed to the Eden Roc hotel on Miami Beach for a two-night stay and a great escape from his daily struggle with Crohn’s Disease. In true all-star fashion, he was escorted in a limousine to Land Shark Stadium to meet Hanley Ramirez.

From the Marlins-branded items waiting for him in his very own locker (right next to Hanley’s) to the chance to throw out the first pitch, his experience was amazing. Wearing his personalized Marlins jersey, Andres accompanied Hanley on the field for pre-game batting practice. He stretched with the Marlins, shagged balls in the outfield, took ground balls beside Hanley in the shortstop position and played catch with his idol. He made sure to find the time for autographs and photos from all his favorite Marlins.

His mother said, “At first, Andres was so nervous that he was shaking but the team made him feel comfortable. He met just about every player – they came over to shake his hands or rub his hat.”

Next it was game time so Andres and his family headed to their seats to watch a nail biter 10-inning game against the Atlanta Braves. Afterward, he clutched his signed bat and Hanley Ramirez glove and headed home. Now when he watches the Marlins on television, he fondly remembers the day he was Hanley Ramirez’ MVP!

Wish Granters: Judith Matus & Ellen Roth
Referred by: his child life specialist
Wish adopted by: Barry University’s Facilities & Event Management class of 2009

Source: Make A Wish Foundation

Editor’s Note: We would like to know what you think? dan@youngchronicle.com

Soldier of the Week – Lance Cpl. Joshua M. Bernard

By Dan Samaria
Publisher/GCC
September 5, 2009

Editor’s Note: Born Dec. 30, 1987 in Lowell, Massachusetts

Died Aug. 14, 2009 in Helmand, Afghanistan.

We would like to know what you think? dan@youngchronicle.com

Lance Cpl. Joshua M. Bernard, of New Portland, Maine, was home-schooled from kindergarten to 12th grade by his mother, receiving his high school diploma from North Atlantic Regional High School. He was an active member of the teen youth group at his church, Crossroads Bible Church in Madison, and enjoyed gaming, hiking, snowboarding, shooting, was an avid reader and a big movie buff. Joshua enjoyed having fun, and although he was shy, he took great pride in helping other people.

A deeply religious young man, felt that it was his duty to not only serve God, but his country, he was focused on his goals in life. Following in the footsteps of his father, Joshua joined the Marines in November 2006 and was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, based out of Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Kaneohe Bay, in May of 2007. Joshua’s role in the Marines was a rifleman. He deployed to Iraq with the 2/3 in January 2008, and deployed to Afghanistan in May of 2009 with the same unit.

He died while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. His awards include the Purple Heart Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and a Sea Service Deployment Ribbon. Joshua lived his life as a great example for Christ, earning the nickname “Holy Man” from his fellow soldiers.

He saw his role as a Marine as a protector of his country, not a warrior. A diligent soldier, with no ulterior motive other than to serve. His natural humbleness would have shunned the publicity over his death, he served for us, not himself. Joshua was buried in East New Portland Cemetery in New Portland, Maine.

Source: Freedom Remembered

Patient of the Week – Mitchell Franzer

By CDH/PIO
Sept. 1, 2009

Mitchell Franzer was born September 15, 1997 to delighted parents Bill and Sandy Franzer. Sandy had a healthy pregnancy, yet when she delivered Mitchell doctors noticed immediately something was wrong.

Mitchell was diagnosed with spina bifida. This was a shock to the Franzer family, but they had to focus on finding the best care for their son. Mitchell was transported to The Children’s Medical Center of Dayton just hours after he was born.

“When Mitchell was transported to Dayton Children’s so many questions were racing through our minds. One of the nurses comforted us and answered our questions. Her daughter also has spina bifida and she gave us hope that Mitchell would be OK,” says Bill.

Mitchell spent 21 days at Dayton Children’s Regional Level III Newborn Intensive Care Unit (NICU). “We were overwhelmed with taking care of a sick infant but the nurses and doctors were so caring,” says Sandy.

When Mitchell was just a baby, the doctors shared their concerns that Mitchell will likely never be able to walk on his own. He would be confined to a wheelchair indefinitely.

“It was difficult to receive the news that your son will not be able to walk, but Dayton Children’s gave us the tools to work with Mitchell to make him stronger.” Sandy worked with Mitchell constantly by doing the exercises they learned at Dayton Children’s. At 16 months old, Mitchell took his first step.

Mitchell is seen in the myelomeningocele clinic at Dayton Children’s which specializes in neural tube defects and related disorders. He is also seen in the physical and occupational therapy departments so he can gain strength in his muscles. Through all of his hard work, Mitchell has come a long way from the days when the doctors said he would never be able to walk.

Donald Nguyen, MD, is a urologist at Dayton Children’s and he and Mitchell have become close. Last October, Mitchell was admitted to Dayton Children’s because his bladder had ruptured, and Dr. Nguyen was there to take care of Mitchell.

“Mitchell has been through several major operations yet he has maintained a positive outlook on life,” says Dr. Nguyen.

“We have so much faith in Dr. Nguyen and he has been great with Mitchell,” says Sandy.

“Dr. Nguyen gives us his time to explain and answer our questions. That does not happen at every hospital and this is why Dayton Children’s is so unique,” says Bill.

Mitchell is now 11 years old and attends St. Henry Middle School in St. Henry, Ohio. He loves to play sports and dreams of being a farmer one day. When Mitchell is not working on his homework, he enjoys watching Ohio State Football, the Cleveland Cavaliers and Bull Riding.

According to Sandy, “After everything we have been through, Dayton Children’s is the only place we will ever go.”

Source: Childrens Dayton

Editor’s Note: We would like to know what you think? dan@youngchronicle.com

Nick Jonas Inspiring to Others with Diabetes

By Linda von Wartburg
Sept. 5, 2009

 

Editor’s Note: This story was first published April 27, 2009 in Diabetes Health. We feel it is worth repeating. We would also love to hear your story if you or someone you know has it. And how this story has affected you dan@youngchronicle.com

Nick Jonas is a personable boy of fourteen who happens to be a member of the Jonas Brothers Band, a group of three brothers with a devoted following of very passionate young fans. In November 2005, Nick Jonas found out that he had type 1 diabetes.

A month or two before he was diagnosed, he began to notice “the usual symptoms: losing weight, the bad attitude, being thirsty, going to the bathroom all the time.” He lost about fifteen pounds in two to three weeks, and “it was just insane.  I had a terrible attitude, which was totally odd for me because I’m actually a nice person.  Especially being on the road around people all the time, you have to keep that positive energy going. And it was hard.”

Nick took some time off from the band’s tour to see a doctor, who packed him off to the hospital immediately when she heard his symptoms.  His blood sugar was over 700.  “For someone who had no bad medical history ever,” he says, “to suddenly have the shock of diabetes was a bit overwhelming in itself, and then I had to learn all about it, learn all these things in such a short period of time.  All of it was crazy.  I also wondered if I could continue making music…but I had the support of my friends and the band to be there with me.  My dad was back at home with my three other brothers, but my mom stayed at the hospital with me every night.”

The day after Nick left the hospital, he performed in a concert and jumped right back into the flow of doing shows and touring.  He started out taking multiple daily injections of NovoLog with Lantus, checking his blood sugar about twelve times a day.  He says, “When we were on the road, I’d be in the back of the band trying to give insulin shots and manage my diabetes, and it was just too hard.  I was getting frustrated with it. I knew that I needed something different, a solution to the problem, which in fact was the OmniPod [by Insulet].  It’s really changed my life in a big way.  I started using it in about April and absolutely loved it.  And all my friends think that it’s a really cool device.”  He says he was shown other pumps, but he adamantly refused them all because he wanted an OmniPod.  He says, “Before I got the OmniPod, I heard about the other ones and they showed me examples and prototypes, but I was like, no, I want this.”

In his OmniPod, Nick uses NovoLog insulin. When he was touring and performing outside at up to 100 degrees last summer, he could set the basal down a little bit so he wouldn’t go low.  He reports that he hasn’t had too many episodes of low blood sugar.  “The past couple months have been awesome for managing my diabetes, and I’m doing well.  My A1c has come down a lot.  It is in about the 7% to 8% range, and it was 11% to 12% when I first was diagnosed.”

“What’s awesome about the OmniPod,” Nick says, “is that it works as a FreeStyle meter, so I just put the FreeStyle test strip in it. He tries to check about nine to ten times a day, and his blood sugar is usually 150 to 175 mg/dl.  He acknowledges this is high, but because he is so fit and active and has a tendency to go low, this is what he has been advised should be his normal range. His friends are very supportive.  “I’ll check my sugar and they’re all concerned, what’s it at right now?”  He’s thought about using a continuous monitor and may be using one soon.

Nick doesn’t follow any special diet. He can pretty much eat whatever he wants as long as he makes sure to take the right amount of insulin for it.  He is a huge steak eater: “I could eat all the steak in the world,” he says, but “I’ll eat pretty much anything.”  He notes that with the OmniPod, he can enter the carbs and it’ll give him a suggested amount of insulin.  It also has a food database, in case he ever has a question about how many carbs are in something. When he gets low, he prefers to drink orange juice or some other liquid because they work so quickly.

In March 2007, about a year and a half after his diagnosis, Nick publicly announced that he has diabetes at Carnival For a Cure, in an appearance sponsored by Insulet. He had known from the get-go that he knew he wanted to go public with his diabetes; it was simply a matter of when.  He notes that he’s still new to diabetes and feels “like a freshman coming into a senior’s class.”  He waited until he felt comfortable with managing his diabetes before telling everyone about it. Of course, he didn’t test in public until after his announcement, but now he tests wherever he is.

As an example of the intense scrutiny to which he is subjected by his fans, there is now a game on line called “Spot the OmniPod, ” in which fans examine old photos of him, trying to spot his pump.  Some of them write his name on their arm where he wears it. Everyone in his whole family has a fansite, even his father and his little six-year-old brother.

After Nick announced that he had diabetes, he says, “I found it amazing just how many people know somebody with diabetes or have diabetes themselves. We’d get these stories about how some of the kids were really afraid to tell their friends and how my situation gave them courage to do that. The fact that I’m able to have somewhat of a spotlight to share my story, I just feel blessed.” He carries a supply of guitar picks in his pocket, and “whenever I meet another diabetic buddy as I call them, I give them a pick, a cool little thing.”

Nick appreciates the fact that “I have a platform to be able to share my story.  I have this passion to be able to share with young people my age and be a positive light in a situation that might not be so positive.  I’ve heard stories about kids who were in depression because after they got diagnosed they were just so upset about what was going on.  That just touched my heart, and I wanted to be able to do something about it. I hope that I can be that positive light.”

Asked to describe the biggest hassle of diabetes, Nick tells about the times when it’s been a long day, and he has to go back and deal with some of the annoying things about diabetes.  When he gets a low blood sugar, “it’s like, oh, what do I do, and you just get kind of overwhelmed. That’s one of the biggest things for me.  And also when people don’t understand too much about diabetes and you have to explain.  I try to make it work.  I say, well, it’s a little bit different than you might have heard.”

Being on tour adds a dimension of difficulty to managing his diabetes because the schedule is “kind of insane.” It’s getting easier now because he’s been doing it a little bit longer.  “It’s a team effort and it’s all good,” he says. His mom travels on tour with him. His mom “is awesome.” She helps him with everything he does, especially in managing his diabetes. He takes supplements and vitamins because his mom favors them.  He describes his parents as his biggest influence, totally amazing people whom he’s blessed to have in his life.

He knows that diabetes “is a huge part of my life and I can’t just forget about it, obviously. I have to keep taking care of it and managing it, and learning more things about it.  Hopefully one day they’ll come up with some type of cure, and I hope I’ll be one of the first to know about it.

Nick comes across as extremely well-spoken and mature for his age. He describes himself as “more the quiet guy in the bunch,” not the kind of person who will just go up to somebody and start a conversation.  But “I consider myself somewhat of a leader, hopefully.” He is planning to be very involved with the diabetes community.  “This is just the beginning of what’s to come with all this.”

To newly diagnosed kids with diabetes, Nick would say, “Don’t let it slow you down at all.  I made a promise to myself on the way to the hospital that I wouldn’t let this thing slow me down and I’d just keep moving forward, and that’s what I did. Just keep a positive attitude and keep moving forward with it. Don’t be discouraged.”

Nick Jonas and his two older brothers, Kevin and Joe, form the Jonas Brothers Band.  They hail from New Jersey, where their parents were both musicians. Nick sings, plays guitar and drums.  The band is very popular with young girls, who have numerous fansites in which they declare their love for Nick and his brothers. Their first album, “It’s About Time,” was released in August 2006.  Their newest record comes out August 7, 2007, full of new songs.

Source: Diabetes Health,Children with Diabetes

Parents Across the Country Against Obama School Address

By Joshua Rhett Miller
FOXNews.com
Sept. 4, 2009

Regine Gordon doesn’t want her 6-year-old son to hear from President Obama next week.

Gordon, of Tampa, Fla., is among a growing number of parents across the country who are troubled by the president’s plan to address elementary, middle and high school students in an online and televised speech Tuesday. 

“It’s a form of indoctrination, and I think, really, it’s indicative of the culture that the Obama administration is trying to create,” Gordon told FOXNews.com on Thursday. “It’s very socialistic.”

After writing letters to her congressmen and school officials, Gordon said her son, David, will be allowed to participate in an alternative activity at Gorrie Elementary School during Obama’s address, which comes on the first day of school for many children.

“I’m waiting to hear from his teacher, but I have told them to go ahead and I’d like [David] to go do something else,” Gordon said. “It’s kind of like going through the children to get to their parents. Children are very vulnerable and excited. I mean, this is the president. I think it’s an underhanded tactic and indicative of the way things are being done.”

But some parents won’t be allowed to “opt-out” their kids everywhere. At least one school district, Tempe Elementary School District No. 3 in Arizona, is not permitting parents to pull their children out of class during Obama’s speech.

“I have directed principals to have students and teachers view the president’s message on Tuesday,” Superintendent of Schools Dr. Arthur Tate Jr. said in a statement Thursday. “In some cases, where technology will not permit access to the White House Web site, DVDs will be provided to classes on subsequent days. I am not permitting parents to opt out students from viewing the president’s message, since this is a purely educational event.”

The White House said Wednesday that the president’s address is intended to be an inspirational, pro-education message to all students at the beginning of the school year. But critics objected to the language of one of the lesson plans, for students in pre-kindergarten through grade 6, which suggested that students “write letters to themselves about what they can do to help the president.” Another assignment for students after hearing the speech was to discuss what “the president wants us to do.”

The suggestion about writing letters has since been changed to: “Write letters to themselves about how they can achieve their short-term and long-term education goals. These would be collected and redistributed at an appropriate later date by the teacher to make students accountable to their goals.”

White House spokesman Tommy Vietor said the changes to the language are intended to make the lesson plans clearer. He added that the speech the president’s speech will not be a policy speech, but is intended to encourage kids to work hard and commit to school.

But that hasn’t assuaged concerns of Michelle Moore of St. Louis, who says she’s considering keeping her two daughters out of the classroom at Lindberg High School when Obama begins to speak.

“I have to sign permission slips for my kids to watch R-rated movies in school,” Moore said, explaining that she felt parents were being blindsided by the president’s address. “It was simply presented, ‘Hey, we’re going to do this, this is when it’s going to air and you’re going to show it to your kids.'”

Moore suggested that the speech be issued as a DVD to students so they can view it with their parents at home, adding that the first day of classes for many students will be a harried affair.

“That’s their first day,” she said. “I would think they have plenty of other things to do.”

The idea of having Obama speak directly to children without so much as a permission slip being sent home just “makes you feel a little funny,” said Beth Milledge of Winterset, Iowa. She said she plans on going to school with her 8-year-old son to watch the address with him.

“I want to know how it’s being presented,” she said. “I’m all for my child having respect for the president, but why wouldn’t he show us the speech first and then go from there?”

Dana Loesch, spokeswoman for the Nationwide Tea Party Coalition, has started a campaign to ask schools to provide an alternative to the speech for parents who do not wish their children to experience a presidential address in school. Loesch has urged parents to contact schools directly to find out if the “partisan presentation” will air in their child’s classroom.

“It went straight from the Department of Education right to the principals,” Loesch told FOX News. “There’s a lot of parents who have spoken to me [and] they’ve talked to their principals, and it kind of ‘weirded’ them out a little because this is also the first that protocol has been skipped.”

Several school districts contacted by FOXNews.com, including those in Milwaukee and St. Louis, said individual teachers will decide whether to air the address in their classrooms.

“We’re allowing teachers to decide,” an Austin, Texas, school official told FOXNews.com. “But most of the kids will be at lunch. It’s not going to be a big issue here.”

In Austin, school district officials say a speech by any sitting president is worthy of “Americans’ time, attention and consideration,” according to a statement by the Austin Independent School District (AISD) to FOXNews.com. Teachers who believe the address will be beneficial to their students will allow viewing in the classroom.

“It is AISD’s expectation that viewing of this Web address will vary by campus and by classroom,” the statement continued. “Parents will be advised by their campus principals to alert the school if they have a specific desire to have their child included in, or removed from, the viewing of the president’s remarks.”

Parents in Milwaukee will have the option to remove their children by “simply informing the school of their preference,” spokeswoman Roseann St. Aubin said.

Virginia Department of Education spokesman Charles Pyle told the Associated Press that a number of school divisions asked the agency for guidance this week after parents concerned with the address contacted local officials.

The department says it’s up to districts to determine whether a school or class views the address, and teachers who choose to incorporate the president’s speech into their lessons are also free to develop their own classroom activities, the Associated Press reports.

Other districts, including those in New York City and Boston, won’t even have classes that day. Officials at the Philadelphia School District declined comment.

National Parent Teacher Association President Chuck Saylors told FOXNews.com the presidential speech is something that should have happened years ago.

“Regardless of who is in the White House, when the president of the United States wants to give the students a beginning-of-the-year, do-your-best type of presentation, it should be supported,” he said. “[But] if parents want their children to opt-out, they’re certainly in their rights to do that.”

Several statewide parent teacher associations, including those in Georgia, Virginia, Tennessee and others, did not respond to requests for comment on how their members are advising teachers how to present the presidential address in class.

Gainell Rogers, president-elect of the Utah Parent Teacher Association, said she has “confidence in the decisions” of local school officials.

“We believe that decisions in the best interest of students are most effective when made at the local level,” Rogers told FOXNews.com. “Each local school district will decide what is best for their students and patrons and those decisions will reflect input from parents.”

Source: Fox News

Editor’s Note: We would like to know what you think? dan@youngchronicle.com

Sticky Situation Talking in Class

By Scholastic News
Sept. 4, 2009

Ricky and Nadia were talking in class. Their teacher, Mrs. Belle, thought she heard Jenny’s voice. Mrs. Belle wants to send Ricky and Jenny to the principal’s office for disrupting class. Nadia doesn’t want Jenny to get in trouble for something she didn’t do, but she doesn’t want to get in trouble either.

Click on “Comments”  to write a paragraph explaining what you think Nadia should do.

Other Scholastic News readers will be posting their thoughts about this week’s ethical dilemma, too. So come back to the Sticky Situation blog to discuss their solutions!

 Source: Scholastic News Online

 

Editor’s Note: We would like to know what you think? dan@youngchronicle.com

« Previous Page — Next Page »