Should Mr. Obama send his daughters to public school?

deepimpact2 · #1 11-10-2008, 05:42 PM

I started ths thread because numerous heated debates have been taking place at school. So many people think that he should send his daughters to public schools in D.C. On the other hand many think that because of his high profile position that he should send his girls to private school. So I wanted to know how you all feel about this issue. I know that I think he should send them to private school.

Benzgirl · #2 11-10-2008, 05:52 PM

Do they attend public school now? I think the Obamas will do whatever it takes to keeps some iota of normalcy to the girls' lives. Regardless of where they attend, secret service will always be in tow, so security probably isn't a concern.

Amy Carter ("Dynamo" to the Secret Service) attended public school. Chelsea Clinton ("Energy") attended a Quaker school.

deepimpact2 · #3 11-10-2008, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Benzgirl

Do they attend public school now? I think the Obamas will do whatever it takes to keeps some iota of normalcy to the girls' lives. Regardless of where they attend, secret service will always be in tow, so security probably isn't a concern.

Amy Carter ("Dynamo" to the Secret Service) attended public school. Chelsea Clinton ("Energy") attended a Quaker school.

Yeah Chelsea attended Sidwell Friends.

Right now the Obama girls attend a private school: University of Chicago Lab School

Some poeple think that Obama should send them to public school because of his passion about public school education. Also, many people think that if he sends his kids to public school that it will bring some attention to the deficiencies in those schools and perhaps result in the schools getting more money.

I think he should do what is best as far as security. Amy Carter went to a public school and things were fine, but I think the world is a bit more chaotic and dangerous now. Besides, it would be unfair logistically for other children and parents in the public school to be subjected to all of the security measures that will have to be in place for the girls.

darling1 · #4 11-10-2008, 07:54 PM

the plights of the public school system can be advertised on the local and state level. the obama children should not be guinea pigs for this issue.

i agree that it would also be a nightmare for the children and parents that already attend public schools to have their children's education undermined by presence of the obama girls.

Quote:

Originally Posted by deepimpact2

Yeah Chelsea attended Sidwell Friends.

Right now the Obama girls attend a private school: University of Chicago Lab School

Some poeple think that Obama should send them to public school because of his passion about public school education. Also, many people think that if he sends his kids to public school that it will bring some attention to the deficiencies in those schools and perhaps result in the schools getting more money.

I think he should do what is best as far as security. Amy Carter went to a public school and things were fine, but I think the world is a bit more chaotic and dangerous now. Besides, it would be unfair logistically for other children and parents in the public school to be subjected to all of the security measures that will have to be in place for the girls.

OneTimeSBX · #5 11-10-2008, 05:59 PM

i would think a private school would be best...public schools in DC? lets put it this way, my child isnt anywhere near as high profile as these two and i turned down a job up there so i didnt have to put her in public schools...private was too much as well. some of the private schools up there are huge, and to me they would have more in common with the other children of senators, etc. who live in the area.

Senusret I · #6 11-10-2008, 06:05 PM

If I were the Obamas I would send them to Thomson or Lafayette (public elementary schools) then send them to Sidwell Friends for seventh grade on.

darling1 · #7 11-10-2008, 07:51 PM

has this question been considered by other president's families? why should it be a consideration for the obamas.

as someone said, the girls already attend private school. personally they should continue that tradition. they should find the best school that could meet their academic needs and one that can handle some of the nuances that go with being children of politicians

Quote:

Originally Posted by deepimpact2

I started ths thread because numerous heated debates have been taking place at school. So many people think that he should send his daughters to public schools in D.C. On the other hand many think that because of his high profile position that he should send his girls to private school. So I wanted to know how you all feel about this issue. I know that I think he should send them to private school.

mccoyred · #8 11-11-2008, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by darling1

they should find the best school that could meet their academic needs and one that can handle some of the nuances that go with being children of politicians

This is the central matter. If the school they select is public, private or parochial, it should have no bearing on his policy decisions only what he and Michelle feel is right for THIER childrern as INDIVIDUALS.

Obama has never advocated disbanning public schools or freezing out private schools. He wants to make sure that each and every parent has the same choice as he and Michelle are excercising.

NinjaPoodle · #9 11-11-2008, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by darling1

has this question been considered by other president's families? why should it be a consideration for the Obamas.

as someone said, the girls already attend private school. personally they should continue that tradition. they should find the best school that could meet their academic needs and one that can handle some of the nuances that go with being children of politicians

Ditto.

BlessedOne04 · #10 11-12-2008, 04:36 PM

The Obama children currently attend a private school that is one of the best so there would be no reason to change them into a public school setting. Protection aside, because they will have that anyway, I think that any parent wants the best education for their children. If they feel that private is the best way then private school it is.

theMorningStar · #11 11-13-2008, 03:21 PM

There's no way that President Obama's daughters should attend anything but an extremely secure and amazing private school. Not just for their safety sake, but too, children who are born and raised around financial wealth, who tend to be exposed to the presences of entertainers and politicians, etc., would be able to handle to a greater degree, having the First Daughters as schoolmates.

Langox510x · #12 11-22-2008, 08:08 PM

I think they should have the right to choose much like any other American. Whatever they feel is best for their daughters.

Munchkin03 · #13 11-13-2008, 12:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by darling1

has this question been considered by other president's families? why should it be a consideration for the obamas.

It was a consideration for the Clintons, who had always sent Chelsea to public schools in Arkansas. Because public schools are on public property, they can't limit who comes onto the grounds as much as private institutions.

Since they go to private school now, why change it? Chances are I'll send my kids to private school, especially if I continue to live in NYC. How can I hate on someone else for doing what I intend to do?

darling1 · #14 11-13-2008, 02:42 PM

i hear what you are saying. but my question is, was this expectation placed on the clintons or any other president elect?

since chelsea went to a public school in arkansas, that speaks to my position on the obama girls having a sense of normalcy in their lives. for chelsea public school was the norm. for the obama girls it is not.

you shouldn't hate any parent for making the choice in the best interest of their child.

on a personal note, would you mind sharing offline why you are considering private school for your child in NYC? with so many options, i would think there would be wonderful opportunities available. my best friend is dealing with finding middle schools for her niece, so i am trying to help her as best i can with viable options and reasons for and against public and private. in my experience the smarter kids had the best opportunities. i was very lucky during middle and highschool. i know times have changed, so i would love to hear your perspective

.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Munchkin03

It was a consideration for the Clintons, who had always sent Chelsea to public schools in Arkansas. Because public schools are on public property, they can't limit who comes onto the grounds as much as private institutions.

Since they go to private school now, why change it? Chances are I'll send my kids to private school, especially if I continue to live in NYC. How can I hate on someone else for doing what I intend to do?

RedefinedDiva · #15 11-10-2008, 08:13 PM

While I advocate for public school, I don't think that his girls should attend public school. How weird would it be to be on the playground with friends, surrounded by Secret Service guys? I think the security aspects would be a "distraction" to the norm of public school. I think that private schools that serves high-profile kids will help them to ease into a new way of life without seemingly being in the spotlight, any more than they will be already. Schools that serve that population, as well as the students that attend, should be used to all the pomp and circumstance.