VANOC seeks to influence school programming

According to CP, VANOC is moving aggressively to provide "lesson plans" to teachers in grade schools, high schools and universities that focus on the Olympics. The organization has an entire section of their website, along with a newsletter, dedicated to encouraging teachers to adopt pro-Olympic advertising as part of their curriculum.

Although VANOC denies a tie between their school programming and Olympic sponsor target audiences, child-focused Olympic sponsors including Coca-Cola and McDonalds Restaurants probably aren't disappointed with the venture.

Fortunately, the Vancouver School Board, at least, appears to be taking a cautious approach to the materials. Ken Denke, a trustee with the VSB, apparently told CP that "We're concerned about the whole issue of the ethics of the Olympics, of having the Olympics, all these matters that may be quite controversial but they provide very good learning opportunities and development of critical skills in students."