Schools commenting on Trump

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think this discussion goes back to the idea that we want our kids to think for themselves and the school think for them. Our country is so polarized because of both sides of the aisle and the best way to ensure our kids do not struggle with the same thing is teach them how to not only think for themselves but to also make sure the attempt to understand the other view point. If teachers are saying their political views, our kids are less likely to attempt to learn about the opposing view.

This makes no sense. An environment where people are afraid to express political opinions is not likely to foster curiosity or debate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My DS goes to Sidwell and he has had many teachers make comments about the new administration. I don't know how I feel about this because although I agree with the idea that this administration is doing things that are not good for our country, I do not think teachers should express their views on to students. I've heard at schools like GDS they have had assemblies where the principle has made comments about the election and Trump in a non specific way, but does this happen in other schools? And is it okay for teachers and administrators to talk about politics, rather than fostering discussions in unbiased way?

If he's in my DS's class, the kids (boys) are giving it right back to these teachers.

By this do you mean engaging in respectful debate about ideas? Isn’t that what you’re paying for?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think this discussion goes back to the idea that we want our kids to think for themselves and the school think for them. Our country is so polarized because of both sides of the aisle and the best way to ensure our kids do not struggle with the same thing is teach them how to not only think for themselves but to also make sure the attempt to understand the other view point. If teachers are saying their political views, our kids are less likely to attempt to learn about the opposing view.

This makes no sense. An environment where people are afraid to express political opinions is not likely to foster curiosity or debate.

Yes that is not what the original comment is saying at all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’ll never understand why conservatives are totally in favor of religious private schools but have a full toddler meltdown at the idea of teachers in other private schools discussing current events.

EXACTLY. Schools should not push religion on to students at all. Yes that means I think religious private schools are stupid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My DS goes to Sidwell and he has had many teachers make comments about the new administration. I don't know how I feel about this because although I agree with the idea that this administration is doing things that are not good for our country, I do not think teachers should express their views on to students. I've heard at schools like GDS they have had assemblies where the principle has made comments about the election and Trump in a non specific way, but does this happen in other schools? And is it okay for teachers and administrators to talk about politics, rather than fostering discussions in unbiased way?

If he's in my DS's class, the kids (boys) are giving it right back to these teachers.

By this do you mean engaging in respectful debate about ideas? Isn’t that what you’re paying for?

Yes, absolutely!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My DS goes to Sidwell and he has had many teachers make comments about the new administration. I don't know how I feel about this because although I agree with the idea that this administration is doing things that are not good for our country, I do not think teachers should express their views on to students. I've heard at schools like GDS they have had assemblies where the principle has made comments about the election and Trump in a non specific way, but does this happen in other schools? And is it okay for teachers and administrators to talk about politics, rather than fostering discussions in unbiased way?

If he's in my DS's class, the kids (boys) are giving it right back to these teachers.

Genuinely interested to hear more about this. Are you saying that boys are expressing support for Trump in class? How old are they? I'm curious as to the balance of student opinion at Sidwell, how other kids respond, what kinds of arguments these boys make, etc.

[Anonymous]

My DS and DD go to St Johns. At least from what I've heard from them are that teachers were told to not talk about politics, much less their own opinions. What this has created is a lot of kids that have the same views as their parents, but are not educated at all about these views. An example was my DD told me that her friend was saying how Trump is saving America by deportations and making immigration very hard illegally. What her friend failed to see is Trump's policies about ending birth right citizenship, which is unconstitutional, seeking asylum, and refugee immigration. When kids are only exposed to one view point they do not try to understand and create their own view point, they just follow the norm. That is a big issue because then our kids really are not educated on politics, just having views with nothing to back them up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My DS goes to Sidwell and he has had many teachers make comments about the new administration. I don't know how I feel about this because although I agree with the idea that this administration is doing things that are not good for our country, I do not think teachers should express their views on to students. I've heard at schools like GDS they have had assemblies where the principle has made comments about the election and Trump in a non specific way, but does this happen in other schools? And is it okay for teachers and administrators to talk about politics, rather than fostering discussions in unbiased way?

If he's in my DS's class, the kids (boys) are giving it right back to these teachers.

Genuinely interested to hear more about this. Are you saying that boys are expressing support for Trump in class? How old are they? I'm curious as to the balance of student opinion at Sidwell, how other kids respond, what kinds of arguments these boys make, etc.

Second on wanting to know these answers…

[Anonymous]

Education should foster critical thinking, not impose personal ideologies. When teachers discuss politics, it risks pressuring students to adopt their viewpoints, undermining the neutrality and integrity of the classroom. Private schools are chosen for their alignment with family values, not to subject children to the political opinions of educators.
Classrooms should be spaces for intellectual growth and mutual respect, not polarization. Teaching critical thinking equips students to explore ideas independently without bias. Political discussions belong at home or in broader society, not in the educational setting.
To preserve the trust of families and the integrity of education, teachers must remain focused on academic and personal development, not politics. Diversity of thoughts should be a thing too!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If teachers were telling the kids that we all should be praying to God, most parents here would be upset.

Teachers should not share their beliefs on politics or religion.

Sidwell is a religious school. They have religious services and rituals as often as the Catholic schools. If you don’t want your kid exposed to religion it’s not the school for you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Education should foster critical thinking, not impose personal ideologies. When teachers discuss politics, it risks pressuring students to adopt their viewpoints, undermining the neutrality and integrity of the classroom. Private schools are chosen for their alignment with family values, not to subject children to the political opinions of educators.
Classrooms should be spaces for intellectual growth and mutual respect, not polarization. Teaching critical thinking equips students to explore ideas independently without bias. Political discussions belong at home or in broader society, not in the educational setting.
To preserve the trust of families and the integrity of education, teachers must remain focused on academic and personal development, not politics. Diversity of thoughts should be a thing too!

I couldn't agree more!

[Anonymous]

Against it because it’s a double edged sword.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If teachers were telling the kids that we all should be praying to God, most parents here would be upset.

Teachers should not share their beliefs on politics or religion.

Sidwell is a religious school. They have religious services and rituals as often as the Catholic schools. If you don’t want your kid exposed to religion it’s not the school for you.

Not the original person who commented, however, this comment is partly false. Although Sidwell does meet weekly for what they call a "Meeting for Worship" they do not practice any religious activities during this time. At catholic schools they do read holy texts and talk about God, but at Sidwell they have silence for reflection and welcome people from all faiths. Catholic schools welcome people from all faiths but practice Catholicism. Sidwell is not pushing any religious ideas on to anyone (as a school), but Catholic schools are.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If teachers were telling the kids that we all should be praying to God, most parents here would be upset.

Teachers should not share their beliefs on politics or religion.

Sidwell is a religious school. They have religious services and rituals as often as the Catholic schools. If you don’t want your kid exposed to religion it’s not the school for you.

I highly doubt Sidwell kids go to Mass every day like my kids. But anyway…

I have no problem with private schools doing this. It isn’t like it’s a secret going in the administrations of these schools are far left progressives. It’s one reason we didn’t apply.

Our school has open discussions and teachers from all perspectives. I find that healthier in general (and my boys are smart enough they know which teachers reward a good debate and which ones want to hear their own views reflected back, and craft their assignments accordingly).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If teachers were telling the kids that we all should be praying to God, most parents here would be upset.

Teachers should not share their beliefs on politics or religion.

Sidwell is a religious school. They have religious services and rituals as often as the Catholic schools. If you don’t want your kid exposed to religion it’s not the school for you.

I highly doubt Sidwell kids go to Mass every day like my kids. But anyway…

I have no problem with private schools doing this. It isn’t like it’s a secret going in the administrations of these schools are far left progressives. It’s one reason we didn’t apply.

Our school has open discussions and teachers from all perspectives. I find that healthier in general (and my boys are smart enough they know which teachers reward a good debate and which ones want to hear their own views reflected back, and craft their assignments accordingly).

What school?