9/8/2009 9:54:00 PM PHS students skip class to listen to President Obama's speech
Matt Hinshaw/The Daily Courier
Prescott High School students gather around Rich Van Demark's pickup truck in the Kmart parking lot to listen to President Obama's speech Tuesday morning in Prescott. The Prescott Unified School District chose not to air the broadcast.
Fifteen to 20 Prescott High School students met in the Kmart parking lot on Willow Creek Road Tuesday morning to listen to President Barack Obama talk to the nation's students.
The students gathered in the parking lot - some with parental permission, some without - because Prescott Unified School District Superintendent Kevin Kapp decided this past week that district schools would not broadcast the president's speech.
At the time, Kapp said he supported the speech until he received a copy of the suggested lesson plan from the White House.
Kapp did not return telephone calls from the Daily Courier on Tuesday.
PHS senior Kathryn Van Demark said Obama's speech was "inspirational. It could have benefited many students. I am saddened that more students didn't have the opportunity to hear it."
Rich Van Demark, who signed his children out of school, said he is proud of his daughter and son and the other students who skipped school to listen to the president.
"I think it was important for them to hear the president. The speech is definitely non-partisan. It is about being patriots of our country," Rich Van Demark said.
Matthew Kendrick will receive an unexcused absence for Tuesday morning. Kendrick said his parents did not know he planned to skip second period and that they would "probably be angry. My parents are pretty liberal, but I think they value my education more than I do."
Parent Marilyn Howden was outraged that her son had to go somewhere off-campus to listen to the speech.
"They couldn't watch it anywhere on campus - not even in the library. The students had to come off-campus to listen to the president talk about education," Howden said.
Parent Clara Taillole-Nardo objected strongly to the superintendent's decision.
"What gall to make that decision for all children. Not only is it discrimination and censorship, it is unpatriotic," Taillole-Nardo said.
Senior John Kelly was upset that district administrators decided not to show the speech because it was "politically motivated. No wonder Arizona is 50th in the nation in education."
Bradshaw Mountain and Chino Valley high school officials did not see an increase in the number of parents taking students out of class or students not coming to school.
Humboldt Unified School District Assistant Superintendent Dean Slaga said he did not hear of any district schools experiencing high absentee numbers.
Chino Valley Unified School District Superintendent Duane Noggle said the district received "no e-mails, no phone calls, at least at this level. One school did report that a parent called and asked if the school would be showing the speech, but that was all. It was just a normal day."
Kathryn Van Demark said, "Many of us feel that current events are an important part of our education. Most of us are in advanced-placement government, and we were not allowed to hear or discuss the president's speech. I think that is hindering our education more than the 15 minutes listening to the speech would have," she said.
Parent Michele McCormick kept her daughter home from Granite Mountain Middle School Tuesday morning to watch the president.
McCormick said that while her sixth-grade daughter could not watch the president, her daughter "was allowed to watch part of the Michael Jackson funeral" as part of a news roundup during homeroom.
The irony, she said, was that her daughter had to listen to the president tell kids to stay in school while she was missing school.
"He was talking to children. It was non-controversial. No one could have objected. The lesson my daughter learned was partisanship and fear," McCormick said.
Posted: Wednesday, September 09, 2009
Article comment by:
MATLOCK!!!
The reason Obama talked to the kids is because he knows that if he would've talked to the old people, he would've had to speak up, interrupt Matlock and try to finish up before the 4:30 early bird special at CoCo's. He knows the old are out and the young are on their way in. Face it Grandma and Grandpa, politicians are tired of pandering to groups that are dying off. Oh, i hear the strains of the Matlock theme playing i think it's on!
Posted: Wednesday, September 09, 2009
Article comment by:
former badger
As a former student of the PUSD school system I would like to say I'm not at all surprised that they would make this ignorant of a move. I am now a college freshman at NAU, with almost no thanks to PHS as my high school counsellor actually encouraged me not to go to college. I'm proud that these students protested against this complete injustice, amongst them my younger sister, and although they were few in number I do know several others that would have been out there with them had they not been afraid of ditching school. And as for former comments about how these kids are high schoolers and also young and stupid I would like to remind them that we are the FUTURE of the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, and I'm pretty sure those of you making those comments are NOT.
Posted: Wednesday, September 09, 2009
Article comment by:
Chris Bergman
Wow, obviously a good many Arizona graduates are commenting here (worst education in America, right?).
--First, the school district did not PREVENT any students from hearing the speech. They only didn't provide it for the students during class time. I suppose for some of you, that's the same thing. If someone doesn't spoon feed it to you, they're automatically denying you. Too bad; get your own spoon.
--Second, our children will inherit a world of our making. They have a fundamental right to know the condition of their inheritance and the opinions of the leaders responsible for that condition, however derived. Only informed people can make wise decisions and you can't be informed if you're only allowed to see a part of the picture.
--Third, public education must be as inclusive as possible because of the broad spectrum of people being served. This means excluding no truth. “The President has made a speech and these are the things he said.” This is a truth. It's only unfortunate that he was forced to moderate his speech. It would have been better for the youth to see more clearly what he believes.
--Finally, SHAME on all the parents who, because of their unwillingness to be involved in their children's education, were fearful of what the President might say or the schools might teach. You have no excuse for not educating yourselves on the issues and then SITTING DOWN with your children and TALKING with them about these issues. But it's not too late. Watch the video with your children (youtube or whatever) and discuss it with them. It doesn't matter whether you agree or disagree. START the CONVERSATION. Be the parent! It's more important than what's on TV or reading this, so stop reading this and do it! NOW! bergman_blogs@yahoo.com
Posted: Wednesday, September 09, 2009
Article comment by:
Only the mentaly misstep
The only school that could tell anyone what he said would be the students and faculty of Prescott College,where most of the letters in favor of the present administration seem to come from. They must be be home work assignments.
Posted: Wednesday, September 09, 2009
Article comment by:
Tom Atkins
After teaching for 36 years I can say this.... Never underestimate young folk’s minds. Their main job, you know, at this age, is to start to think for themselves, form their own opinions. It drives many parents crazy, (other parents celebrate) but it is the brilliant sign of a young mind starting to think critically. Not to just accept what their parents are saying as gospel truth, but to question and come to their own conclusion. This one phenomenon probably saves civilization each generation. The best thing about this huge "Tea Bag” movement and their blustering and nonsensical protest is that it produced interest in these young minds.... I would bet that many, many young people popped over to President Obama's web site and watched the whole thing. They might even do what the President suggests, ...”Work hard, go to school, be the best that you can be!” The message was excellent and articulate by the way! If you have not seen it check out You Tube or the President’s web site. Way to go young people! Thanks for using your minds!
Posted: Wednesday, September 09, 2009
Article comment by:
WaitWut?
@No Name. If my son was still in school and wanted to take the day off to protest the decision by Kapp I would not only be proud of him, but would have supported his decision and been by his side, with his fellow students, watching the speech from the President of our nation. I’m not sure how this is less acceptable than the Conservatives yelling that they would keep their kids home from school that day if the speech HAD been shown in school. As far as I’m concerned, the parents and students that supported our President that day are far more patriotic and have shown true support for our country and their own rights. But, I’m just a Democrat. What do I know? Oh...yeah. I know hypocrisy when I see it. And to the one who made the comment about teaching children to disrespect authority. Maybe I misunderstood. Are you saying that the PUSD is teaching our children to disrespect authority by not allowing them to watch the President of their country deliver a speech about education? I agree. I think it shows blatant disrespect. How could we have let this happen? What’s next? Hanging the flag upside down in the schoolyard? I’m glad to see that some of our young citizens chose to take this opportunity to make a stand for freedom and risk an unexcused absence or chastising by their parents and community. These are the adults of tomorrow that will question, research and think for themselves. They’ve been surrounded by reports of adults taking time off of work to throw tantrums in public and they chose to take some time off and watch a speech on education from our President. Yes, they should be admired and given our full attention. I much prefer the Courier giving them a front page story than the grandparents that apparently think interrupting a speaker or showing disrespect for our flag is acceptable and responsible adult behavior. Be proud, kids. I sincerely hope that you heard President Obama’s message. You’ve shown you have the fight, now prove you have the drive.
Posted: Wednesday, September 09, 2009
Article comment by:
KIDS BELONG IN SCHOOL
I don't care what national "event" is going on, KIDS NEED TO BE IN SCHOOL. Parents who supported their children missing class are ridiculous. Don't they know that we live in an age of YouTube and Twitter. They can go anywhere online(AFTER SCHOOL) and watch the speech. There is no excuse for children to be missing class. What do you think you're teaching your kids? When they can't watch what they want where they are, then they can "protest" in a parking lot and disregard their responsibilites? Way to go parents, way to go.
Posted: Wednesday, September 09, 2009
Article comment by:
blog?
I care: Man that's some filthy talking on that blog dude, like "true liberals meet the trailer trash" or something lol. Nice wholesome group you have there (cough). The out of staters peppering the man's email box is classy I thought.
Posted: Wednesday, September 09, 2009
Article comment by:
Reader
After laboring through the comments on this article, my first thought was; "I remember looking for ANY reason to take a stand by skipping school in protest of something, anything." ...it's typical teenaged behavior. Then I thought; "too bad one or more of these students who felt so strongly about this speech couldn't pipe in on this comments page to share what value they got from their "demonstration". I realize they are all in class today and hope that maybe they will write this afternoon as I'm sure they read the paper, watch the news and are up to date with this country's politics, i.e. couldn't wait until later in the day to hear a replay of the President's speech...) Then...I finally got to Grassroots comment and said, oh...he beat me to it, I was just thinking the same thing. The only reason I am suspicious of President Obama's speech to our children is that it flies in the face of everything else he has said since his election...he wants the government involved in darn near everything else in our lives but suddenly wants our children to take responsibiltiy for themsleves. Yeah...he's grasping for any support he can get. Those high-schoolers will be able to vote in 4 years. The question is...will they?
Posted: Wednesday, September 09, 2009
Article comment by:
John Q
Good for the kids. I can't begin to count the times some of us cut to attend Goldwater events in 1964. The issue here was never the speech, but was rather the suggested discussion before, during and after sent out by Dept. of Ed. A speech is one thing, controlling discussion with an assumption of unanimous agreement is quite another.
Posted: Wednesday, September 09, 2009
Article comment by:
No name provided
I think if our kids are in school it is because
of the parents and the roll they play. Maybe it should have been shown out in the public so the kids who are not in school could have had a chance to see it. It is not up to the government to make sure our kids do well in school. It is ours as parents. Get involved!
As the mother of one of the students quoted in the article, Matthew Kendrick, I just want to set the record straight by saying that I am proud of (not angry at) my son for skipping school to protest this ridiculous, embarrassing, and unpatriotic decision by PUSD not to let the students watch President Obama's speech. In fact, I wrote an email expressing my dismay to Mr. Kapp on Friday, September 4th--and received no response.
Posted: Wednesday, September 09, 2009
Article comment by:
To Jennifer S.
What "required" lesson plans? They were suggested. You know optional. O-P-T-I-O-N-A-L. Sound it out then look it up in the dictionary.
Quit perpetuating mistruths. And by the way, Bush encouraged schoolkids to write letters about how they were going to help him.
So what?
Too much fear and hate and lies. Can't we just stick to the FACTS? Or are they too inconvenient for your worldview?
Posted: Wednesday, September 09, 2009
Article comment by:
Disappointed, but not surprised
Kapp's contract is up. PUSD should consider this 'decision' that wreaks of racism into account. Time to brush out the old
Posted: Wednesday, September 09, 2009
Article comment by:
Oh the irony
The people over here defending Kevin Kapp's decision are the same one's sending in letter after letter decrying the unfairness of the Courier's decision not to report their little tea-bagger meeting. You'd think they'd see how the two issues are connected, but then again they are tea-baggers.
Posted: Wednesday, September 09, 2009
Article comment by:
Grassroots
I hope these 15-20 students could sit down and actually tell us what Obama said. I doubt it. It wasn't about the speech. I still don't understand why it had to be nationally televised. I guess it's because Obama is losing in the polls with adults and this is his chance of getting with kids - who actually WERE BORN YESTERDAY.
Posted: Wednesday, September 09, 2009
Article comment by:
Bafoon
I think it's really special how a few parents allowed their kids to skip school. What a fine example they are setting. If you don't like something, just do whatever you want. You don't need to listen to your superiors - you are special and can do as you please. I mean they are kids after all, and they are worldly. Why couldn't they listen/watch the speech after school? Why did they have to tune in live? So when they become adults and their boss does something they don't like what will they do? Call in sick and sit in the parking lot protesting?
Posted: Wednesday, September 09, 2009
Article comment by:
I Care
The world is watching: http://www.reddit.com/r/politics/comments/9iid3/my_old_redneck_high_schoolschool_district_refused/
Posted: Wednesday, September 09, 2009
Article comment by:
No name provided
Such a can of worms some of these articles open. I can definitely see both sides, but the current administration hasn't earned much of my trust.
Posted: Wednesday, September 09, 2009
Article comment by:
Jennifer Simons
I am HAPPY that Mr. Kapp decided not to allow the speech to be heard. I remember when Reagan and Bush spoke to the nation's schools and NEITHER one of them tried to put out a required curriculum to accompany their speeches as Obama did. So right there is the reason why he made his decision to not show the speech. To force someone's views on everyone (Obama's views) goes against the very grain of liberalism to begin with, so to those who chose to leave campus to listen good for you, as that is much your right to do, but to Mr. Kapp who displayed his knowledge and understanding of the situation by his decisions, Thank You for being a part of our school system for so long. I hope you stay for more time!
Posted: Wednesday, September 09, 2009
Article comment by:
No name provided
WHat a disappointment - to read about Kevin Kapp's decision. I hope the public's outrage is his demise.
Posted: Wednesday, September 09, 2009
Article comment by:
No name provided
I have to admit, I do not understand why it was perfectly fine to prevent students hearing this 'welcome back to school' speech, when similar speeches given by past Republican Presidents was alright and encouraged. Why is a speech by this President called indoctrination by some, but it wasn't indoctrination when those past Presidents spoke?
The politicization of this speech was NOT created by the President and the White House, it was created by the folks who should have checked the facts (and read the text... )before discussing the topic instead of knee-jerk reacting to the louder, misinformed voices out there.
What ADE and our local school boards and administrators have done by supporting the censoring of this speech intended to inspire our students is to pander to the unlistening, unread voices; those folks who will not listen to an opposing view, who think that if you don't support a war you are un-American, if you support your fellow citizens' in their efforts to have the same Health Care as your elected officials you are a socialist, if you support an extremely smart, self-made man raised by a single mother in a country where being different from the 'old white guys' is a barrier to success you are indoctrinated.
There is something very wrong with this picture. It surely isn't the world that my generation dreamed of, demonstrated for, worked for, lived in, and serve still.
Posted: Wednesday, September 09, 2009
Article comment by:
No name provided
What a disappointment - to read about Kevin Kapp's decision. I hope the public's outrage at this idiocy results in his demise..
Posted: Wednesday, September 09, 2009
Article comment by:
No name provided
I think it's funny that these students were doing exactly the oppisite of what the President's speech was about, and their parents are proud of them? No matter how passionate about it they were they should have been in school. Here is the link to the video recording of it: http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/A-Message-of-Hope-and-Responsibility-for-Americas-Students/
Posted: Wednesday, September 09, 2009
Article comment by:
No name provided
While the story details only a few PHS students leaving school, I'd like for the paper to investigate the absentee rate for Tuesday and how different that rate is over a normal mid-week school day. I'd bet the rate was significantly higher. All three of my kids stayed home in the morning to watch the speech on the Internet. While all three of my kids score in upper 90 percentile on the state tests, I have no illusion where those scores rank on an international level. Kevin Kapp has sealed his fate and the school board had better pay close attention to a movement against his retention. This was a pure political move that I'm sure the board supported initially, but my be forced to back away from publicly.
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