Headlines
Did Obama speak?
Only 30 Rogers County students see portion of president’s speech
September 10, 2009 — One might never have known that President Barack Obama presented a speech directly to schools in Rogers County on Tuesday.
Obama delivered a nationwide speech designed to encourage students to remain in school and to emphasize how important an education is for their future.
In Rogers County, Oklahoma, students in only one of the eight public school districts actually saw the speech and they weren’t able to see all of it due to Internet issues.
Pat Gougler, Foyil superintendent, said about 30 students gathered to watch the presidential address, but only saw a portion because access to the school’s Internet locked up throughout the network. School officials were able to download the presentation for students to view later.
Most school superintendents said teachers and students kept to their regular schedule. The speech, which is downloadable, was archived and students will have the opportunity to watch it later.
Mike McClaren, Claremore superintendent, said he gave principals the latitude to show the address if their teachers were using it in their lesson plan.
“The speech came during our lunch periods,” McClaren said. “We didn’t want to have an all-school assembly at that time.”
Claremore provided an opt-out option for parents who did not want their children to see the speech.
McClaren said there will be classes that view it as part of their lesson plan in the future, but they will have the option to not see it if their parents choose.
Dr. Kent Holbrook, superintendent at Inola, said, “Any child who wanted to see it could make a request.” No Inola students made a request.
At Catoosa, Dr. Rick McKibbe said the speech was downloaded and teachers will preview it before incorporating it into their lesson plans.
“We encourage our teachers to preview materials and then have guided instruction,” he said.
Superintendent Rick Thomas at Oologah-Talala, said students and teachers kept to their regular schedule.
“Those who want to see it can at a later date,” he said.
Sequoyah Superintendent Terry Saul said his students also remained on their normal schedule.
A spokesperson at Chelsea said there were no assemblies and the speech might be viewed in history class later.
All schools received numerous calls from parents when the speech was first announced.
Thomas said there were four or five calls from those opposed to their children seeing the speech and four or five calls from those wanting their children to see the speech.
McClaren said initially there was a lot of misinformation about the content of the speech.
- Headlines
-
-
NEW DORMS: RSU going more traditional
In just a year, Rogers State University will double the number of students sleeping, eating and studying on its campus. That’s twice the students walking to class in the morning. Twice the students calling RSU home.
-
DEQ: Public drinking water in Oologah is safe
Public drinking water in the Oologah area is not contaminated by heavy metals from the local Public Service Company of Oklahoma power plant according to officials at PSO and the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality.
-
County will not use carryover for new hires
Rogers County Commissioners oppose spending money carried over from last year’s budget — in spite of county officers who say they need money now.
-
Rogers County men arrested on burglary charges
Sheriff’s officers are hoping the recent arrest of two Rogers County men will halt a recent bout of burglaries.
-
Crews zero in on courthouse design, cost
Rogers County’s new courthouse has been nudged over and stretched to take advantage of the closing of Missouri Street, according to schematics unveiled Monday.
-
Sheriff: ‘Extraordinary’ need for new deputies
The Rogers County Sheriff’s Office may lose the ability to provide even basic services if it can’t hire more deputies this year, Sheriff Scott Walton told commissioners Monday.
-
Symphony League hosts membership drive
The Claremore Symphony League will host a wine and cheese reception to launch the membership drive for 2010 - 2011. The reception, to be held at the Will Rogers Memorial on September the 23rd from 5:30 to 7:30, will feature wine tasting and the presentation of the Honorary Chairman of this season’s Symphony League Ball.
-
Felony charges filed against former Chelsea chief of police
Formal charges were filed Thursday in Rogers County against a former Chelsea police chief.
-
Report hits Oologah power plant for river pollution
Waste improperly handled by the AEP/PSO power plant in Oologah may be contaminating the Verdigris River, according to a report released this week.
-
Groups support bicycle safety overhauls
Bicycling groups across the state said they support a new legislative package designed to protect riders and motorists. However, many cyclists are calling for the state to do more to educate residents and enforce existing laws and practices.
- More Headlines Headlines
-
