I am a grandparent, with no children in HCPS, and I did call to get some facts when I heard a sound bite on Fox News Radio. Perhaps my complaint is less weighted as a lowly taxpayer? “One (yes only one) parent called…”.
Dear Parents, listen to “Grams”, if the complaint is valid, it doesn’t matter if there is one complaint or one hundred.
Never apologize for having concerns on behalf of your child.
It is unfortunate that the Vice Principal received terrible emails and calls but if they rise to the threshold of a threat, they may and should be filed with the police department. The concern about the impropriety of the politically identifiable song being played and taught to first grade children in a public school supported with tax payer dollars remains.

I have other questions. Who approved the “Obama Song” to be played, and taught this year?

How was the same “Obama Song” distributed last year?

For what technology contest was the “Obama Song” prepared last year?

Who sponsored that contest?

“The Howard County Public School System respects the right of individuals to disagree…..What SHOULD concern everyone”…. “Enough already! This is much ado about nothing.” (?)

As a taxpayer, without children in the school, I have a concern about the process that led to this political song being played and taught to first grade children. What is the responsibility of the school system as the gatekeeper that controls curriculum? Is there an ethics document for teachers (beyond dress code) that would outlaw religion, politics, and union and/or membership songs, materials, and proselytizing in the classroom? If not, why not?

If we look to D.C. Schools, we will see 100 (one hundred) students demonstrating on behalf of the teacher’s union.

Teachers are very powerful and have the potential to impact every child’s life. That power should never be abused.
Teachers have a right to a personal life, a political life, and even a sex life. To share those things, even worse, force those things on students, no matter how subtle, is unethical and wrong. Students trust. Parents trust. Even Grandparents trust teachers, not schools.

You guys on the left have an answer for everything! Again you fail to see the difference. The Bush White House didn’t generate a curriculum in the aftermath of the hurricane and provide teaching points to educators. If you think for a minute that Bush politically was given the “benefit of doubt” after the disaster…you must be smoking what Bill Clinton matter of factly did “not inhale”. I googled “Hurricane song Bush” and found Huffington post with a mention and that is it! It was not reported anywhere of significance (because maybe it was positive for Bush to have children singing his praise….and the media couldn’t have that). My recollection after the failed recovery was “Bush hated Black people” and generally was given very low marks by everyone in the media. He could do no right. Thanks for playing.

How about kids in New Orleans singing about Bush?

Our country’s stood beside us
People have sent us aid.
Katrina could not stop us, our hopes will never fade.
Congress, Bush and FEMA
People across our land
Together have come to rebuild us and we join them hand-in-hand!

Boy, what an uproar! [sarcasm]

http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2006/04/17/out-of-the-mouths-of-babes/