Katie Perry in Schools?

I understand that when out in a public venue such as the mall or a restaurant or even a car with loud speakers driving down the street, our children may be subject to unfortunate, or not age appropriate lyrics to songs and that cannot be controlled; however, in the educational environment, I would expect better than having an educator choose inappropriate lyrics for the students to listen to. There are plenty of songs out there that are current without sordid lyrics to choose from. So, if it was me, I too would be disappointed as my expectations of my childs educational environment would be higher. I understand that as parents we all have different rules that we provide for our children, but this is the school setting which I would hope as you do also, would provide a wholesome environment that promotes learning. Sometimes people think it's cute when young children are singing out loud the lyrics to current popular songs, or doing "dances" they saw on television - not so much.....our kids are being robbed of childhood and forced to grow up way too fast. I encourage you to continue to be the protector and provider for your children - the voice in the wilderness....you are not alone.

I completely understand your concern and feel for you. While talking to the principal might eliminate the issue at school you are simply delaying the inevitable or should I say "that" conversation.

What are you going to do when you are shopping at the mall and the song is on in the store? Ask the manager to change the 'station'? Or you are in a restaurant and it is the background music? Are we going to not let them go to a friend's house because we do not know if their parents play age appropriate music? No matter how irritating it is, we can not shelter our children from the world.

Just like it is our responsibility to teach them right from wrong, it is our responsibility to teach them what is appropriate and what is not. By using these times as teaching moments we are instilling our beliefs and values in them so they grow up to be better people.

I doubt there is anyone who wants to explain to their 6 yo what 'going all the way' means, it sounds like you've crossed that bridge and need to start the conversation with an age appropriate answer. Even if you talk to the principal the cat is already out of the bag. Plus you want your daughter to know that she can come to you for straight answers no matter what the question. You don't want her getting her information from the older kids on the bus etc.

And for the parents who think that "private schools" or "homeschooling" is the answer to prevent such and occurence...well they need a reality check as long as their kids are living and breathing in this world, they are going to encounter the same situation somewhere...so be ready!

Hi T.,
First of all, I commend you for paying attention and caring about what your kids are exposed to. I also think you were wise to approach the principal. I don't think such lyrics are appropriate in school. For those who claim that the kids don't hear the lyrics, I politely disagree. Just recently, I have become aware of how much my FOUR-year-old is paying attention to lyrics. She will ask me specific questions based on what was just sung on the radio. Also, even if the kids aren't paying attention, why get the familiar with the beat and tune of a song that is inappropriate when there are acceptable songs out there? (If necessary, use "oldies" since I know most public schools would never consider using Christian songs.)
Comparing music being played in a tax-payer funded elementery school to music being played at the mall is unfair. We pay for schools to EDUCATE our children, not expose them to things we find questionable. If we don't like the music at the mall, we can stay away; it isn't our money paying for that store so we really don't have a right to say what happens there. When our tax dollars pay for the school, we have every right to raise objections when we find things offensive.
I say to approach the principal once more.

Where are they hearing these songs? If it is in the classroom, phy ed, or a school activity, played by a teacher, I would definitely complain. Is it on the bus radio? Same thing, I would complain. Unfortunately, if kids are just singing the songs on the school playground, or at random times at school, there isn't much you can do, pop culture is everywhere. If there is a group of say older kids singing these songs loudly together on a regular basis on the playground, I may call it the attention of the school to ask them to stop. I would ask your kids where they hear the songs, and how they know the words so well, if they do. Then go from there.

You cannot shield your kids from everything, and its not like the teacher was playing something that isn't even allowed to be played on the radio, in fact it may have just been the radio that they were listening to. Being that it was gym class, I'm guessing the teacher was playing it so the kids had a beat to move to. Kids respond to music. I guarantee that they don't know the words, and if they do, they have no clue what they mean and also no curiosity to what they mean either. I'm almost 40, and there are songs I loved when I was a kid and I'm just learning today what the words were! I was a clueless innocent child back then and the song was what I wanted it to be, a fun beat that sounded good to me and I could jump around to.

This is a wonderful parenting and teaching opportunity for you!! Your children look to you for guidance and direction and it is up to you to teach your children how to act and react to certain situations, whether they be negative (as you see this one) or positive. Wanting it to be removed from their life is unrealistic, as you cannot always remove negative, innappropriate things from your childs life, but you can teach your children the proper way that you would like them to respond.

This is only a small reason why we homeschool...

I don't allow my daughter to listen to the real songs, but I do buy kid's bop where they have changed the words to make the songs g-rated. Make sure it isn't kid's bop & if it isn't then I would have a talk with the principal...

WOW! Some of those responses seem to me to be huge overreactions to the question. Yes some of the lyrics are questionable but this is the 21st century and you cannot shield kids for ever. Homeschooling is not the answer to this one. Sounds like you did the responsible thing in calling the principal but next time try calling the teacher in question directly. If they are busy taking gym and this is just the background noise, they probably aren't even aware of the actual words. Why not ask the kids to sing it to you and ask them what the words mean- I bet 9 times out of 10 they will not know the words or the meaning....

First of all, why are six year olds listening to Katy Perry songs in school? There should be NO type of rock music played in elementary school...period. Now, middle school and high school is different as the kids are older and pretty much will listen to whatever they want if they have a phone or an ipod. If I were you, I would contact the superintendent of your school district since going to the principal hasn't helped. Sorry to say, but it may be time to put your child in private school.

M.

Call the principal. It is your job as parent to teach your children right from wrong...true, and to expect better. Don't your children have a right to hear things that are appropriate for them in their school. It is true that we cannot shield them from everything, but this does not mean that we should not try to avoid them learning things way too early.

It's sad to me that some parents aren't willing to stand up for their children in this way, and to help them stay innocent and young a little longer. Perhaps the children whose parents stand up for them at age 6 will be willing to stand up for themselves when they are bombarded with these things when they are older, and still may not want to hear them!

rock music shouldn't be played anywhere in school? is this still the US or maybe 1950? i agree with annette; she brings up good points. is it a kid with their ipod or the gym teacher playing it for everyone? i'm curious to see how this turns out.

i think all of our children are going to be exposed to social situations that aren't positive; it's important to be sure we're talking with them about what they experience.