Some Schools Pass On Obama's Speech

PHILADELPHIA - Two Republicans before him have done it without any drama. Yet, this time some moms and dads were not having it.

As President Barack Obama delivered a back-to-school speech at noon Tuesday, some schools opted not to show it live.

Video Of President's Speech: Part 1 | Part 2

Read: Text Of Obama's Prepared Remarks

The White House said the president was using this speech to appeal to students to make the most of the coming year.

Conservatives called the speech an improper use of school time.

North Penn was one local high school that was not airing the speech live, Fox 29's Steve Keeley reported Tuesday morning from Lansdale. Students there will have to wait until Wednesday to see a recorded video of the speech if they want to watch it in school.

Central Bucks, another large suburban district, made a similar decision in light of calls from parents concerned about the speech.

Leading up to the speech, community members from across the area told Fox 29 how they felt about the address and whether schools should show it.

One local parent, Karen Jones, said, "I support the president if he's going to come and make any speech on because I know it's going to benefit everyone."

"He's our president. Why shouldn't he have a chance to speak to the kids when they're going back to school?" asked another area parent, Diana Klebine. "Other presidents have done Web casts and things like that, so why is this any different? I've heard it's not a political speech."

But parent Bob Hoffman said, "I don't think it needs to be taken up during school time. If they want to come back the next day and discuss it at school, that's something they can do. But I don't think it needs to take up the school time to show the speech."

Meanwhile, the playground at Imani Education Center in Germantown -- which would normally be full of kids at recess -- was empty at noon on the first day back to school.

"I'm excited to be able to have at least most of my children see it, and all of the others will hear it, what he has to say to the children," Dr. Francine Fulton, the charter school's CEO, said.

Fulton said people should be glad to have a president who's interested in inspiring their kids, adding that she's particularly happy with his support for charter schools.

So, the school had its largest TV set up in its largest room to view the speech.

As for other schools passing on showing it live, Fulton said, "There are things that go on in this country I don't fully understand. That's one of those things. ... I think that children will pay attention, and they will take what he says to heart, I do believe."

U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius was in Philadelphia Tuesday for the president's speech. She met with seventh-graders from Thurgood Marshall Elementary School and their parents.

Sebelius previewed the president's challenge to all students. She also discussed ways to prevent the spread of the H1N1 virus. Afterward, she joined the students to watch the president's address.