President Obama welcomes children back to school: A speech every child should hear

By Mary MacElveen
September 7, 2009

As a parent, I want to send a message out to other parents who may keep their children home tomorrow because President Obama will deliver a speech welcoming the country’s children back to school: You are failing your job as a parent. Keeping your children out of school in fear of what may be said by the president is sending the wrong message to your children. Basically what you are teaching them is if something is being presented in school you or they may not agree with, it is okay to skip school.

Our country’s children are expected to attend school each and everyday unless sick and to keep them out for this one speech which by the way I have read, you are aiding in their truancy. If you do keep them out, it should be noted they were absent on that day.

Any school district who fails to air the President’s speech to our country’s children, you as well are failing as educators. You are allowing your politics of fear to interfere with our children’s learning and/or you are listening to either Glenn Beck or Rush Limbaugh way too much.

Having been raised by a single-mother, if he complained about getting up early to learn extra lessons from her, President Obama’s mom would say: “This is no picnic for me either, buster." I do suspect other single-parents have had that same discussion with their children.

Knowing that our president has two young girls both he and the First Lady, Michelle Obama are successfully raising: do you think for one moment he would put your children in danger? Both Sasha and Malia are growing up in the public-eye and while that can be hard for children born to presidents or celebrities, and they are a delight to behold.

As many schools combat a high drop-out rates, this president’s message to every single one is to stay in school and to work hard. No subversive message there, but a message all children do need to hear.

President Obama reminds our school children that nothing is just given them in life and that they also must work hard. As many are addicted to reality TV, the President cites: “I know that sometimes, you get the sense from TV that you can be rich and successful without any hard work -- that your ticket to success is through rapping or basketball or being a reality TV star, when chances are, you’re not going to be any of those things.” I think that dose of real reality is something our children do need to hear.

Within the text of his speech he reminds children if they want to go on in life to fulfill their dreams of becoming a teacher, a scientist, a writer or even a politician, they must pay attention to certain classes they are taking and do their homework.

The President also cites that it is okay to fail, but to pick yourselves up and try, try again. One person he does use as an example is famed author, JK Rowling who wrote the Harry Potter series. Now she is richer than the Queen of England and she came from being on welfare.

It is important for each parent to read the full text of the President’s speech to see he is challenging our children to go on and live successful lives not only for themselves but our country. After reading his speech, if you as a parent are inclined to keep your child out of school, take a long look in the mirror and ask: Am I leaving my child behind?

Author’s email address is, xmjmac@optonline.net

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