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PrincipalsPage the Blog |
Let the record show: The sun came up on the morning of Sept. 9, 2009. Once I heard the president was going to speak directly to kids, I wasn’t sure this would happen. After listening to educators obsess about this speech for more than two weeks, I was convinced this was the end of the world as we know it.
I hadn’t been this frightened about the future of humanity since 2001. That was the year the NFL had the brainstorm to pair Aerosmith and Britney Spears at the Super Bowl halftime show. The horror: Britney Spears on the same stage as a band with talent. I survived that — barely. Although I must admit, my ears did bleed ever so slightly. It took me 8 long years to get over that, and then this happens. I’m not sure how much more I can take.
The idea was borderline insane: Barack Obama talking to our kids. Who does he think he is? The president of the United States? Oh, he is? Never mind.
Begrudgingly, schools (some) allowed the president to address their students.
Just the thought of him encouraging kids to work hard, take responsibility for their education, and listen to their parents and teachers was almost more than I could handle. He even told them to wash their hands.
In my estimation, the speech was almost perfect — encouraging but no political. He spoke to younger students as well as to high school seniors. He was positive while being demanding. It was far better than I could have imagined.
Except for one thing: Mr. President, you can’t say “stupid” when talking to kindergarten students. I didn’t graduate from Harvard Law School, but I do know that’s a curse word to 5-year-olds.
To read more blog entries by Michael Smith, visit his site PrincipalsPage.com.
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