PMHS forbids staff from showing presidential inauguration live, citing threats of violence, reduced bell schedule
Pelham Memorial High School students attending classes in-person Wednesday will not be able to watch the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden, despite the fact that President Donald Trump’s swearing-in was shown live to secondary students four years ago and PMHS students on the virtual schedule can watch at home.
“While it remains an act of civic and national engagement to view the presidential inauguration, any lesson that requires photos, videos or text from the inauguration will be taught after Wednesday,” Principal Mark Berkowitz said in an email sent to students on Tuesday. “Students who seek to watch the inauguration live will have an excused absence in the afternoon but should have a parent/guardian proactively send an email to PMHS attendance clerk Karen Mann.”
Berkowitz gave no reason in the email for the decision.
“The district has decided not to show the event live due to the already abbreviated bell schedule and limitations caused by Covid-19 as well as concerns about the possibility of violence being shown live in classrooms given reports of threats made in recent weeks,” said school district spokesman Alexander Wolff in an 8 p.m. email Tuesday night after the Pelham Examiner inquired on Monday. “We recognize the value of covering and showing the inauguration in classes, therefore once the inauguration has concluded, teachers can/will use recordings/photos etc. from the event to cover it in their classes as appropriate.”
This is a change in policy from the inauguration of Trump in 2016, as Pelham Middle School and PMHS students watched the swearing-in ceremony on a teacher-by-teacher basis.
Tommy Roche is a student at Boston College. During the 2020-2021 school year, he was the Managing Editor/News of the Examiner, primarily covering general...
Mark Rookwood • Jan 22, 2021 at 3:10 am
A presidential transfer of power and swearing in is one of the most important aspects of our government process. Why an institution of learning would choose to NOT seize the opportunity to teach their students using a live broadcast of the inaugural process is beyond my comprehension. A high school student gets the experience of a presidential election process ONCE in their high school career. Our current technology creates unparalleled opportunity for instructional resources so why not utilize this during one of the most important events in our way of life?
Kevin Wong • Jan 19, 2021 at 9:12 pm
Students, and all Americans, should be able to see that in the USA there is a peaceful transfer of power. The swearings in of presidents are of national importance because they affirm the American constitution and also set the agenda for the next four years—just as occurred in Pelham schools and elsewhere 4 and many years ago. While the administration may be wanting to avoid a political headache, the Pelham schools are missing an important opportunity to teach our community of students about our nation at a time when knowing how our constitution works is more important than ever before in my lifetime.
Marcia Dolan • Jan 19, 2021 at 6:32 pm
“There are good people on both sides” No
“To be silent is to be complicit “ YES
Teachers have a responsibility to speak.. the .truth.
Alec Cecil • Jan 19, 2021 at 6:30 pm
First of all, banning the broadcast of such a nationally significant event is hard to understand. This is clearly censorship of history in the making and has no place in a public educational institution. Secondly, it is infantilizing not to give a clear explanation of this decision. This is in conflict with the fundamental mission of education, which includes teaching students to think for themselves, and to respectfully listen to the views of others and to express their own. This is like a parent saying to a toddler “because I said so.” It has no place in high school.