After hearing all of this hoopla about the President's address to students next week, I decided to send an e-mail to the principal of her school (she is in the 8th grade) to let her know that I want my daughter to see the President's message. I figured that a Ed.D educated principal of an excellent school would see the logic in showing the President's message. What I failed to remember is that I live in Texas District 22. So starts the war...
Here is a transcript of the e-mails so far.
My initial e-mail
Dr. Thurman,
My daughter, littlerocket, is an 8th grade student at Sartartia and I have been very pleased with the instruction she has received and the professionalism by which it has been delivered. Obviously, there has been an uproar concerning the upcoming address to students by the President on September 8th. I trust you will not be swayed by irrational claims of "indoctrination" and other such nonsense and that you will deliver this very valuable and important message to your students at Sartartia. In my opinion, it is every educator’s responsibility to motivate students to set and achieve the highest of goals. I believe our President is the ideal role model for students considering his phenomenal success in spite of challenges during his childhood. He is proof positive that education is the key to success, and I believe his address will carry that message to your students.
I heartily endorse the showing of the President’s address to my daughter at Sartartia. In fact, it is my opinion that losing this opportunity to get a good message to our young people because of demagoguery and politics would be an atrocity.
Thank you for your time and consideration. Have a great day, and a great school year.
Sincerely,
rickrocket
This was polite and to the point. I thought that my inquiry was non-threatening and it gave her an out to make the right decision since the district had already decided to make give the principals the final decision whether or not to show the President's presentation.
Here was her response.
Mr. rocket,
The site-based decision at Sartartia Middle School is that we are not showing it during the school day; however we are showing the address for parents and students at 4 p.m. on Tuesday in our school library for any parents and students who wish to watch it at that time. Your daughter will be bringing home a letter regarding the address today. Also, please check our SMS website for a copy of the letter. It should be up on our website by 4:00 p.m. today.
Thanks you for letting me know your concerns.
Sara Thurman, EdD
I literally screamed out loud while sitting at my computer. How could this ignorance be taking place in a forum of education? I forwarded the e-mail to my wife and she was upset also. She also said that the principal didn't know who she just sent that e-mail to and that she probably isn't expecting the response that she is going to get.
Here was my final response.
Dr. Thurman,
I am very disappointed in your decision, and I only have one real question to ask you.
When did an address from the President of the United States become a threat that must be supervised by parents in an after-school setting?
Your administration and Fort Bend ISD have failed to make the correct decision in this matter. As an educator, I am disheartened by the lack of educational integrity in the Fort Bend ISD system that has allowed intimidation by a fringe political element to influence the outcome of this situation, making the President of the United States seem like a threat whose message cannot be trusted by our children.
My wife and myself work past 4pm, as many parents do, and so my daughter will not be able to attend. Effectively, you have cancelled the presentation and that decision is discriminatory at best and negligent at worst.
Moral courage requires people in leadership positions to do the right thing, despite a lack of popularity or whatever problems may arise. In my opinion, faced with this challenge, you have failed. I hope that the rest of your decisions regarding my daughter’s education are better.
Sincerely,
rickrocket
If any of you Kossacks live in the Houston/Sugar Land area and are as mad about this situation as I am, feel free to call or e-mail Dr. Thurman.
Dr. Sara Thurman
281.634.6315
Sara.Thurman@fortbend.k12.tx.us
Our children are being told that a message from the President is a threat or is somehow coercive in nature. I will not stand for this and neither should you.
Educate and inform the whole mass of the people... They are the only sure reliance for the preservation of our liberty. Thomas Jefferson