The superintendent of a New Jersey school where students were videotaped being taught to sing the praises of President Obama issued a statement Thursday saying the taping was unauthorized, but failed to address whether the the lesson — taught durnig Black History Month — was approved.
A YouTube video shows nearly 20 young children being led in a song overflowing with campaign slogans and praise for “Barack Hussein Obama,” repeatedly chanting the president’s name and celebrating his accomplishments, including his “great plans” to “make this country’s economy No. 1 again.”
The video has set off families in Burlington, N.J., who say that politics shouldn’t be forced on young students.
“This video is disturbing,” said a grandparent named Sandy, who spoke on the condition that her last name not be noted. “I’m disturbed that someone can give their political opinions in school like this. I’m dead-set against it.
“We don’t teach politics in pre-school — or kindergarten or first grade,” said Sandy, who told FOXNews.com she has two grandchildren attending B. Bernice Young Elementary School, where the video was filmed. “This has no place in the classroom. It may have been the opinion of one or two, and someone should pay the consequences for it.”
School officials said Thursday the students were “singing a song about President Obama” in February “to honor the contributions of African Americans to our country.”
“The recording and distribution of the class activity were unauthorized,” wrote Christopher M. Manno, superintendent of Burlington Township School District, in a statement to parents.
One song that the children were taught quotes directly from the spiritual “Jesus Loves the Little Children,” though Jesus’ name is replaced with Obama’s: “He said red, yellow, black or white/All are equal in his sight. Barack Hussein Obama.”
