Threats Made Over Obama-Praising Song

An online video that shows South Jersey elementary school students singing a song that praises President Barack Obama is causing controversy.

Police have confirmed to Fox 29 News that threats have been made against the school, although they wouldn't specify if they were directed toward someone in an administrative position.

UPDATE: State Orders Review Of Obama-Praising Song Video

FoxNews.com reported the song mixes campaign slogans with quotes from a spiritual tune and substitutes Obama's name for that of Jesus.

The first of two Burlington Township School District letters to local families posted online Thursday and obtained by Fox 29 News confirms that a video circulating online and in the media is a class at B. Bernice Young Elementary School singing about the president.

"The activity took place during Black History Month in 2009, which is recognized each February to honor the contributions of African Americans to our country," the letter states. "Our curriculum studies, honors and recognizes those who serve our country. The recording and distribution of the class activity were unauthorized."

The two-and-a-half-minute video appears on YouTube. Fox News reported that the clip was first posted online Sept. 6, two days before the president's controversial speech to students at the start of the schoolyear. (See the video below, or click here to read the lyrics )

Some parents have said they want to know if it's a teacher who was responsible for the video, but the woman leading the singing has not been identified.

Andreas Ciemnolonski's daughter is in the video.

"It was a little much, I think. But they're second-graders," Ciemnolonski said.

She said she's more upset that her child's face is being broadcast around the world without permission or control over the message.

"They're using this to further their own agenda and it really offends me that they're using my child to to it," Ciemnolonski said.

Families with questions about the video are directed in the first letter to contact Dr. Christopher Manno or Principal Dr. Denise King.

In the second letter, the superintendent refutes reports he says were aired by a New Jersey radio station that the elementary school is in lockdown and there's a heavy police presence.

"This is NOT true," the district's second letter states. "Our children are safe and our school resource officer is present to assist the administration with this matter."

The superintendent's letter adds, "You may call my office with questions; however, we are currently receiving high call volume and may not be able to answer your call promptly."

Fox 29's calls to the superintendent and principal have not been returned.

There are certainly mixed emotions from parents whose children attend Bernice Young.

"I was shocked to that the children would be reciting it and the way that they were and being fed the words, especially in light of it's a politician and I think that political views should be kept at home," parent Leslie Gibson said.

"We sang songs and it never was a problem, so I can't see what the problem is with this," parent Paul Jackson said.

But parent Robert Bowen said outside the school Thursday, "I felt that it was reminiscent of 1930s Germany and the indoctrination of children to worship dear leader. ... I thought that if this was a civics class, it's a high school or upper-level middle school, it might be appropriate to discuss policies or politics. But as far as children in first-grade, second-grade, those types of levels, it's inappropriate to discuss how a president is changing the world after only six weeks in office, as contended inthe video."

Stay with Fox 29 News and MyFoxPhilly.com for more on this developing story.