WWYD - should I bring this up with my son's teacher or just let it go?

[PHmom]

Before I ask my question, please let me respectfully request, beg even, that no one turn this thread into any type of political discussion - I really don't want to get into what anyone thinks of the President or his speech to students, I am simply trying to decide if this is a battle I want to pick with my son's teacher - thanks!

The situation is:

The students at DS's school were scheduled to watch the President's speech that was shown week before last. My son watched it last year and enjoyed it more as a break from the norm than anything. We talked about it a little last year (about working hard in school, etc). This year, the school called (as they did last year) to let us know they'd be showing it and you could send a note in you didn't want your child to watch. I did not send a note, planning for my son to watch it with his classmates. Well, he never said anything about it and, to be honest, it had kind of slipped my mind with everything else (he had 2 projects due) going on so I didn't ask him about it until yesterday (CNN was on where we were and it reminded me). He said that his teacher didn't turn it on in their classroom. At first I thought maybe there was a problem with the TV feed or the school had decided not to show it but he went on to say that his class (as part of their normal schedule) went for a bathroom break and all the other classes were watching the speech.

So, apparently, his teacher took it upon herself to not show it -for whatever reason -and I am trying to decide whether I should contact her and ask about it - as a matter of principle - it's not her place to decide whether they watch the speech or not - it was up to us, as parents, to send in a note if we did not want our child to watch it, otherwise they would watch the speech with their class. Let me stress again, this is not about the President or the speech itself, I am just kind of mad b/c she made this decision contrary to what parents wanted.

WWYD - call her and ask or just let it go?

[shashabell]

If it's not part of their regular ciriculum, then you really shouldn't say anything to her. But, if your son came home and said the teacher hasn't given them any work in math in the past month, then I'd be calling about that.

[courtneyrtr]

Just let it go and let your child watch it at home.

[wrestlegirl]

Has your son mentioned that particular teacher talking about any sort of political topics in her class?

IMO, as an isolated incident it doesn't seem like a big deal. Perhaps the teacher didn't want to disrupt her normal class schedule, especially if she'd planned on a full day of "other" topics (you mentioned two projects?). In that case I'd be inclined to let it go.

But if there's a pattern of her speaking against the President or only teaching on political-type topics she personally approves of, I'd say something. I don't know how old your son is or anything, but if he asked you something like "Mom, what's a socialist" or whatever the buzzwords currently in use are, that would concern me.

Hope that makes sense.

[faeryedark]

I agree with previous posters.
Personally, it's not a battle I'd choose. As long as my kids are learning what they're supposed to learn. He could watch it at home.
You might want to casually inquire as to why she skipped it, to satisfy your curosity.

[Smee]

I might ask about it in a non confrontational and non accusatory sort of way just to get her side of it. It may have been something as simple as wanting to avoid any conflict regardless of permission slips or letters. I figure there's always That Parent who thinks teachers should be mind readers and know exactly what they want without any notification and who will be the first to scream to the heavens if that teacher gets it wrong, and I imagine some teachers probably err on the side of caution as much as possible.

It wouldn't be a hill upon which I'd choose to die, though, unless it came out that the teacher was making a political statement to the students. I'd just let him watch it at home if he were interested. At face value, it doesn't scream big deal to me, but I would probably be curious enough to ask.

[loaslaen]

Before I ask my question, please let me respectfully request, beg even, that no one turn this thread into any type of political discussion - I really don't want to get into what anyone thinks of the President or his speech to students, I am simply trying to decide if this is a battle I want to pick with my son's teacher - thanks!

The situation is:

The students at DS's school were scheduled to watch the President's speech that was shown week before last. My son watched it last year and enjoyed it more as a break from the norm than anything. We talked about it a little last year (about working hard in school, etc). This year, the school called (as they did last year) to let us know they'd be showing it and you could send a note in you didn't want your child to watch. I did not send a note, planning for my son to watch it with his classmates. Well, he never said anything about it and, to be honest, it had kind of slipped my mind with everything else (he had 2 projects due) going on so I didn't ask him about it until yesterday (CNN was on where we were and it reminded me). He said that his teacher didn't turn it on in their classroom. At first I thought maybe there was a problem with the TV feed or the school had decided not to show it but he went on to say that his class (as part of their normal schedule) went for a bathroom break and all the other classes were watching the speech.

So, apparently, his teacher took it upon herself to not show it -for whatever reason -and I am trying to decide whether I should contact her and ask about it - as a matter of principle - it's not her place to decide whether they watch the speech or not - it was up to us, as parents, to send in a note if we did not want our child to watch it, otherwise they would watch the speech with their class. Let me stress again, this is not about the President or the speech itself, I am just kind of mad b/c she made this decision contrary to what parents wanted.

WWYD - call her and ask or just let it go?

As the child, I'd be thrilled that I got to go for a bathroom break rather than watch the speech. But as a parent, I would wonder why the teacher chose not to show it. It sounds like it was required by all classes and that would kinda be like a teacher deciding not to take her class to the pep rally because she hates sports.

The curiosity would have me wondering if the teacher was the type who just likes to "buck the system" or if she had a legitimate reason to censor her students from the speech. Guess I'd like to know what kind of person is teaching my child.

Don't really have any advice because I don't know if I'd have enough gall to confront her, but I might sic the husband on her LOL!

[derketchup]

It depends why she didn't show it. I'd just mention it in passing, and see what she says. If she felt a migraine coming on or didn't want to overstimulate the kids, that's one thing. If she starts saying Obama's a Mooslim or shows you pictures of her Tea Party protests, that's another.

It's all about the attitude, and yes I'd feel the same way if it were a teacher not showing George W. Bush's speech because he's a "war mongerer". It's not up to her to decide which political views are shown in the classroom.

[3timesoccermom]

I would simply send a note (or email) saying you are wondering why the class didn't watch the speech. Sometimes there is a very good reason the kid(s) didn't know, remember or share.

Maybe they plan to show it at a later date to tie in with something in the curriculum. If the reply you get is not satisfactory then you can decide what to do next but there may be a perfectly good explanation that will satisfy you.

Good luck and please update so we know how it turns out.

[rachellepeters]

I don't have kids, so I find it odd they would even show that in the classroom, they never showed any Presdential addresses even in HS when I grew up. Is your son in HS? If it's any age younger than that, I can't imagine that any kid would even pay attention, care or understand...I can see a teacher passing on it.