"On 9-11, our then-principal issued a set of written instructions to the teachers of our junior high school prohibiting any classroom discussion of what was happening or watching any of the news coverage with our students.

According to her memo, she wanted the kids to have as close to a "normal" school day as was possible."

Funny. I was teaching middle school at the time, and our principal gave the same imperative - 3 hours into the school day. The damage was done by then.
Redkudu | Homepage | 09.11.06 - 8:36 pm | #

I was a junior in a catholic high school when 9/11 occured and recalled the principle announcing the opposite. She basically told us we were permitted to discuss the attacks or pray together for everyone involved. An hour later we were dismissed.
Tegan | 09.11.06 - 10:31 pm | #

In NYC, no directive was issued, to my knowledge, but it was impossible not to acknowledge what was happening, and impossible to focus on algebra, or whatever, if you did.

I find those edicts to ignore such a plainly momentous event idiotic and offensive. I'd never seen this country attacked in my lifetime. To pretend otherwise would be dishonest, to say the least.

Unless we're talking about very small children, I don't see any virtue in that whatsoever.
NYC Educator | Homepage | 09.12.06 - 7:12 am | #