FISD officials have discussed that the timing of the live web broadcast and the uncertainty of the length of the message, where it fits in with teaching and learning, etc., makes it challenging. It is scheduled for 11 a.m. our time, which is during lunch time at many of our schools, and, although it is intended for the first day of school, we are already well into our school year.

As a district we believe that the best approach is to record the message rather than showing it live and then determine how it can best be used. At the elementary level, since this historic message is intended to help students get focused and begin the school year strong, this may mean honing in on important aspects or portions of the message and using at one of the good morning assemblies or on Patriot Day, Constitution Day or during Celebrate Freedom Week. At the secondary level, it may mean utilizing in a speech/journalism class to discuss the power of public speaking or the use of different types of media to communicate a message. In a history or government class it could be used to discuss the office of the Presidency and the example of government in action, etc. At any level it could be part of a civics/social studies/current events lesson or a goal-setting activity. We feel that our leaders and educators at the schools are best equipped to determine how it should be used. We feel that our staff can best determine impact on instructional time and what facilitating questions and follow-up discussion topics best tie in with our curriculum and learning.

It is a first for a President to address the children in this way and the information sent to school principals from the Department of Education stated that the message will be on the importance of education. It says the President will challenge students to work hard, set educational goals, and take responsibility for their learning. He will also call for a shared responsibility and commitment on the part of students, parents and educators to ensure that every child in every school receives the best education possible so they can compete in the global economy for good jobs and live rewarding and productive lives as American citizens.

For parents who may want to view it on their own or with their children, it will be archived on the White House www.whitehouse.gov or the Department of Education website. Information about the address may be found on the U.S. Department of Education website at www.ed.gov. For our schools, the video will be available for review and for use through our digital media catalog.

Interested parents should contact their school to see how the speech/resource is being utilized. Some parents have expressed they may want to have their child opt out and will be able to address that in writing to the teacher regarding temporarily removing the student from a lesson or an activity as allowed in Texas Education Code 26.010.