Inaugurations are historic milestones and typically it's an opportunity for teachers to show students the peaceful transition of power in action.
What You Need To Know
- Schools approached Biden inauguration in different ways, citing violence threat
- Vanessa LaHaie and daughter Lilah watched history unfold Wednesday
- SEE ALSO: Live Updated on Biden-Harris swearing-in
- SEE ALSO: Wednesday's inauguration, in photos
But this year, some schools across the country advised teachers to be careful showing the event, citing concerns that students could see conflict and violence unfold live on camera.
Vanessa LaHaie of Largo said she wanted to make sure her daughter Lilah, 8, had a chance to watch the event as it happened.
"I feel very strongly that there is a lack of civics education in the US and in Florida so for me, it's important to add that curriculm to her normal school curriculum," she said.
The family ordered an official invitation and they tuned in to the inauguration from the living room.
"This is my first time seeing it," Lilah said.
Vanessa supplemented the pomp and circumstance on the screen with lessons of her own.
They participated in a Day of Service on Monday by doing a beach clean-up and also did a craft project using the words "Preserve, Protect and Defend."
"Because that's basically one of the most important things the President has to say," said Lilah.
The family has a diverse ethnic background so Vanessa said seeing Vice-President Kamala Harris being sworn-in is significant for her daughter.
Parents and students are watching President Biden’s Inaguration. “I want my daughter to understand history,” says Vanessa Lahaie. @BN9 pic.twitter.com/SnRtcmOhIk
— Laurie Davison (@Laurie_Davison) January 20, 2021
"She has a really direct correlation to Kamala Harris as the first female Vice-president, not only being a girl, but having that Asian and African-American background of her own so we've spent a lot of time talking about that," she said.
They also reminisced about meeting First Lady Jill Biden.
"We attended a rally where she got to meet Jill Biden and she signed her book for her and she talked a lot about how important schools and education are," said Vanessa.
Vanessa hopes the entire experience teaches her daughter about democracy and the importance of being involved as a citizen.
"Because regardless of who wins at the end of the day, it's one of the very few moments in US history where we come together and really celebrate that transition of power that few nations have."