La Porte ISD has had several calls and e-mails from parents interested in how the district will handle the presentation of President Barack Obama's national address to students on Sept. 8. According to a letter that the Department of Education recently sent to principals, the President's speech will focus on the importance of education.

The date of the address coincides with the first day of school for many children across America. In La Porte ISD, students will be beginning the third week of instruction. With that in mind, La Porte ISD will not be issuing a district-wide directive to view the live address. Instead, principals and teachers will work together in making decisions about using the President's speech in the same way they would incorporate other national event broadcasts into relevant instructional activities. Teachers who feel that the address complements their curriculum will have the option to show the broadcast when and where they feel it is instructionally appropriate-whether live or recorded.

La Porte ISD will excuse any student from participating in this activity if the student or his or her parent requests that the district do so. Students who will not be viewing the message will be provided with another learning opportunity in a supervised area during this time. Principals will communicate to parents any plans for using the President's address on their campus, and parents will have the opportunity to have their child "opt out" of the event in writing.

If you have any questions, please contact your school principal.