Veterans Day?

Question

I heard on the radio today that a 4th grade teacher in Sarasota Florida will celebrating Veterans Day Monday by honoring;

Conscientious Objectors.

When a set of parents, both Veterans objected to their son being taught this, the Principal said he could not interfere in what the teacher was teaching in her classroom. The parents requested that he be placed in a different 4th grade class for the day on Monday.

As a parent how would you have handled this situation?

I have no problem with men and women who serve the country in combative ways but are termed contentious objectors. That is totally different from people who either go AWOL to keep from serving or failed to report when the draft was active.

Many fine people served in the past, even giving their lives without carrying a weapon. Those people deserve just as much respect as a weapon carrying veteran.

It's those who hid behind the term to keep from serving completely.

And I believe that is the group of people this is directed toward, those who refused to serve at all.

School IS abut learning about all the sides. However, This Particular Day is set aside to Honor Veterans who served their country.

I think the teacher would be far less controversial if she had chose to teach a segment about Conscientious Objectors either on the school day before or after Veterans Day. And far less insulting to our Veterans

Answer 1

The Principle, as the head educator in the school, most definitely can interfere if he feels the subject is objectionable. Since we can ban the Pledge of Allegiance in a whole state because one parent objects, then a teacher can be told not to preach pacifism/conscientious objection/anti-war (whatever you wish to call it) in class.

First, I would offer to represent the Veterans side in a attempt at fairness and equal time. If denied, then I would go after the Principle and the Teacher and do everything that I could to have them removed from the public school system. I would have every Veterans group in the state standing outside their school with signs. Since many are retired, they have plenty of time on their hands. I wonder if how the Principle and school board would handle a bunch of veterans from every conflict since WWII laying siege to their school.

Answer 2

I would have walked into class and sat there with my child. Listened to what was said. Then brought up my own reasons for NOT being a conscientious objector. That would be disruptive enough I think.
I have never seen a case of this personally. However I would be most displeased with the principle's lack of willingness to satisfy a request made by a parent in regard to what the student/ child was being taught. Then I would have taken it straight to the school board and spoke with the Chairperson of that school board. Setting my ribbons on that persons desk demanding that the teacher be removed for Preaching spinelessness in a classroom.

Answer 3

I would have gone to the school board not the principal and requested that the teacher be instructed not to teach anything that would degrade those that gave their lives for our country, she/he can spew their rubbish somewhere else other than the class room , Veterans Day is part of American History and should be taught as such. The teacher should be thanking a Veteran for the chance to live here in Freedom not denigrating a day set aside to honor those that protect our FREEDOM... Whatever happened to teachers that taught so children could learn and be able to use their own minds, and not as a place to voice their political views weather the taxpayers agree or not...I would also remind the teacher that if she/he is able to read this to thank those that taught them, if they are free and reading it in English THANK AN AMERICAN VETERAN!!! Military Family with three serving active duty currently, two brothers retired after 20 years, 3 that served during Korea, Veit Nam plus those our family lost in WWII, WWI and before to defend this country.....

Answer 4

My step-mother was a school teacher, and I know for a fact that the principle can interfere with what the teacher is teaching in the classroom. Second, if the parent gets no satisfaction, there is the school board and I would take it there.
I would also advise the teacher that you want to be present in class that day to observe, and advise the class on what Veterans Day is all about.
Taking the child out of class I don't believe is the answer. If nothing else, use it as a learning tool, and explain to the child about the freedoms the veterans have protected, how they provided the teacher the freedom to observe Veterans Day the way he/she does.

Answer 5

Since Veteran's Day only celebrates the sacrifices our brave men and women have made to keep us free, the principal should have informed the teacher that the day is a legal holiday and doesn't include conscientious objectors, who are NOT veterans.

If I was the parent, I would ask that the teacher be fired.

Answer 6

The answer should include respect for brave conscientious objectors who serve honorably in uniform without bearing arms. Their service sometimes means service at the front lines as medics, armed with nothing more than a medical supply pack. The answer should include also the latitude of the U. S. Armed Forces to offer such alternative service for those troubled by armed conflict, but nonetheless willing to serve honorably and patriotically in uniform.

Answer 7

my children would go to school that day as usual and right after the pledge of allegiance, my husband and i (i am a veteran and he is a sailor) would go to their respective classes and pull them out. then before we left the school grounds, i would hand the principal a letter demanding that this teacher be fired for their basic lack of failure to follow instructions. conscientious objectors ARE NOT veterans because they never joined the military so by definition do not and are not deserving to celebrate this holiday with us.

Answer 8

I would "conscientiously object" by taking my child out of school for the day. I will not have a day that should honor veterans be put aside for objectors. I'll not have my child be taught that. She is a military child, and her father is a veteran, and I wont taint that.

Answer 9

I would have wanted to know exactly what the so called teacher was going to tell my children. If it was a bunch of bull then my child might miss that day and go someplace with me to actually honor our veterans. If it was just explaining what those type of people believe then I may have allowed it but would have talked it over with my child afterward. Possibly undoing the twisting that the teacher tried. I just don't want to shelter my child to the point that they aren't able to cope with situations as adults.

Answer 10

I would have a "Parent-Teacher" talk.

I would explain to this teacher that
(1) Veteran is a word that describes one serving in the military... usually one who has seen combat. It has nothing whatsoever to do with those who, for whatever reason, refused to serve.

(2) I would suggest that were it not for Veterans... not those who refused to serve... she wouldn't be alive to do what he or she is planning to do.

(3) I would point out that "freedom of speech" is guaranteed by the Constitution... not "freedom of expression.:

(4) Then, based upon the teacher's lack of knowledge of the English language as evidenced by #1, his/her lack of knowledge of history as evidenced by #2, and his/her lack of understand of the basic tenets of this country as evidenced by #3, that perhaps he/she may not be qualified to teach.

(5) I would follow it up with a transcription of these points with the following comments:
If you can read this... thank a teacher.
If you can read this in English... thank a soldier.

I would send a copy to his/her Principal, the the School Board, the Board of Education, and to the local paper.