Review Ordered of Video Showing Students Singing Praises of President Obama

Parents said the songs were performed in Elvira James’ second gradeclass. James, who refused to comment to FOXNews.com, retired at the endof the previous school year on a full pension in New Jersey.

The commissioner of New Jersey’s Department of Education ordered a review on Friday following the posting of a YouTube video depicting school children singing the praises of President Obama.

Ina statement to FOXNews.com, Education Department spokeswoman BethAuerswald said Commissioner Lucille Davy has directed the school’ssuperintendent to review the matter. Auerswald said Davy wants toensure that students can celebrate Black History Month without”inappropriate partisan politics in the classroom.”

“In addition, it is our understanding the teacher in question retired at the end of the last school year,” the statement continued.

Auerswald declined to indicate exactly what the review would entail or possible ramifications.

“Alteredbeat,” the YouTube user who posted the video on the Internet,told FOXNews.com that the video was first put online by CharisseCarney-Nunes, an activist and author of the children’s book “I AmBarack Obama,” which her Web site says “allows children to see themselves through the inspirational story of President Obama.” Carney-Nunes has been promoting the book during visits to schools on the east coast.

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2009-09-26