Marita Loose, executive director of the communication services division for Frederick County Public Schools, was more diplomatic in her response, which she issued via a printed statement.
“We are neither encouraging nor discouraging teachers to utilize the President’s September 8th address in their classrooms. No assemblies are planned. If a teacher finds the webcast has a natural, appropriate link to a lesson, she or he may integrate the webcast into instruction,” she said. “Parents who do not wish their children to view the speech may request that they participate in an alternative educational activity. Principals are already aware of these procedures.”
Ken Blackstone, for the director of communications services for the Prince William County Public Schools, had a similar crafted opinion.
“There is no mandate or direction to principals or teachers from the PWCS administration to participate in this address from the President. Like many other similar information items we receive from the U.S. Department of Education, the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE), or other education-related organizations, they are passed along FYI as a potential instructional resource that teachers may choose to use if it is appropriate for their instruction and fits their lesson plans,” he said.