The Prez's School Address

So this week everyone is all worked up about Obama's address to our school-age children. Me? Not so much.

I'm not a fan of his or anything but I'm just not stressed over my kids potentially watching an hour's worth of health reform propaganda or a Democratic agenda. Hee! Hee! Don't you love how I still stuck in all the Right Wing terminology? Really all it is is a chance for B.O. to hear himself talk. Besides, it opens up an opportunity for good discussion about what our family believes and why. A teaching moment. Public school is chock-full of teaching moments like: Why so 'n so doesn't have a dad at home and how Mommy and Daddy love eachother very much and divorce will absolutely NEVER happen in our home. How to be kind and friendly to children in your class who tend to behave badly without following their example. Keeping our focus on our schoolwork and learning and listening to your teacher and not so concerned with Pokemon, Bakugan and such. These teachable moments are one of the reasons we decided to go ahead and put them in public schools. There are lots of reasons that we did so, not the least of which are: a) that I would make a lousy teacher and b) we don't have a money tree in the back yard to pay for private school. The entire public vs. private vs. homeschool discussion could take up at least a week's worth of posts and would stir up some hot debate, I'm sure. But that's not exactly why I started this here blog and I don't want it to turn into that at all. This should be a fun, happy place to be! ; )

Along those lines I just loved Dr. Petruzielo's letter home today about this whole Presidential address. I like to pretend that there is sarcasm oozing out of every sentence. Part of it went like this: (pretend Dr. Petruzielo is kind of rolling his eyes with the words in italics or saying them with more emphasis; it's more fun that way)
"The President's message is directed to students and is expected to focus on the importance of doing well in school.
As you know, the Cherokee County School District focuses on instruction and teaching the State's new curriculum, the Georgia Performance Standards, so that students can achieve - and exceed - their personal and educational goals. Daily instructional time is a precious resource; therefore, schools are under no obligation to watch the hour long address, either through the Web cast or on C-SPAN.... Although suggested lesson plans have been shared by the U.S. Department of Education, there are no plans or requirements to use them since they are not a part of the required curriculum." (emphasis mine)

See how much fun that was? It's especially fun if you picture Dr. Petruzielo wearing a sombrero or a clown nose.

Can't you tell I wasn't exactly the model student?
I'm still drawing silly faces on teachers' pictures.
"Sorry, Dr. Petruzielo; I couldn't resist."
"Detention?! Again?! Sheesh."

P.S. Wouldn't it be fun to put Dr. Frank's face in a Jib Jab dance?