It's hard to argue that there's anything wrong with teaching elementary students that peace is something we should all strive for.

"We didn't intend to offend anyone, and I hope we haven't offended anyone," said Julie Fitzpatrick, Frank Allis 3rd grade teacher.

Fitzpatrick is one of five teachers at Madison's Frank Allis elementary school, who says some parents are upset over their message of peace.

That's because the message, is also directly related to the war in Iraq.

Last Friday, third grade teachers at Frank Allis sent home this letter.

It explained a project, where the students would write letters to lawmakers, other students ... even to the president ... encouraging an end to the war in Iraq.

Fitzpatrick says they didn't expect the assignment to cause any problems, because it was part of a social studies project asking for peace.

"I don't see it as a controversial issue ... I really don't," said Fitzpatrick.

But plenty of other people do, including education policy expert Harry Brighouse.

"Asking for peace as an immediate matter is clearly a partisan political question right now," said Brighouse.

And Brighouse says using the teaching position to influence students on a political issue like this, is wrong.

The Madison school district feels the same way ... and on Tuesday, they sent home another letter.

This time apologizing for the assignment and saying it will not be continued.

"... and I'm offering an apology if it did cause any problem or hurt feelings about this issue," said Christine Hodge, Frank Allis principal.

Brighouse says the apologies should also go to those who support an immediate peace in Iraq.

Already, local, conservative–radio-talk–show hosts have picked up on the third graders' assignment.

And Brighouse says, using third graders to promote political beliefs, is exactly the type of story those talk show hosts want, to make a push for peace seem ridiculous.

"That kind of reaction makes it harder to have a reasonable and rational debate," said Brighouse. "And it makes it harder to get the view point, which I think is the right view point, across."