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Obama School Speech Controversy
http://www.wtvr.com/wtvr-obama-school-speech-controversy,0,7832527.storyRICHMOND - A controversy is brewing in area school districts, over a speech President Obama plans to give public school students nationwide on Tuesday.
The White House announced, that the President will address American students via satellite feed, telling them to take "ownership of their education" and "work hard in school." The original plans included an assignment for students asking them to write about what they saw or "how they can help the President." Those ideas set off a national firestorm and have since been revised to drop the assignment.
While some parents support the idea, many are voicing concern, and nationally some are planning a "skip" day keeping their children at home if their child's school shows the speech.
Richmond, Henrico and Hanover all plan to make the speech available. Students can bring a note asking to "opt out" of the presentation. The same is true of Goochland County public schools. The superintendent there says the school system will make the feed available, and it will be up to individual school principals and teachers to decide what would come next.
The Powhatan school district does not plan on showing the speech Tuesday to students. Instead, it will record the presentation and make it available at a later date. Parents and students can "opt-in" to watch it.
Parents in that county told our Shelby Brown they had mixed feelings. One said they support the idea, as long as it's only a push for education and does not turn into an opportunity for the President to voice his stance on healthcare or other political hot button issues. While another Powhatan parent told Shelby they are in full-support of the speech.
We're sill waiting for the Chesterfield County school system to reach its decision. The spokesperson there says the school system received several calls from parents on both sides.
http://www.wtvr.com/wtvr-obama-school-speech-controversy,0,7832527.story