HOUSTON -- President Barack Obama plans to address students across the country next week, but some Houston-area parents do not want their children hearing his message, KPRC Local 2 reported Wednesday.

School districts across the KPRC Local 2 viewing area said they are getting phone calls from mothers and fathers who said they will keep their child home if the school chooses to broadcast the speech.

The presidential address will take place on Sept. 8. The Obama administration said it is the first time a president delivered a national address directly to school children. The president is expected to discuss the importance of education, working hard and setting goals.

But the planned address is drawing controversy.

Conservative talk show host Michael Berry said he has received e-mails from 100 listeners who want to boycott the speech.

"They're not only angry, they're somewhat shocked because this is truly radical in his attempt to go directly to children. Parents respect the relationship and protect the relationship between a parent and a child and they pass their children to a school to learn. They don't feel comfortable with Obama speaking directly to their children," Berry said. "We are the parent of that child. It doesn't take a village. It takes a parent."

On behalf of the president, the secretary of education notified principals about the national address.

While some applaud the speech, it's controversial to some conservative groups that launched an e-mail campaign encouraging their children to boycott the speech.

The Houston Independent School District told principals to inform parents that the president's speech will be shown to students on Sept. 8 at 11 a.m. Houston time. If parents choose to opt out, their child can attend a different activity while the speech is held.

The Fort Bend School District said campus-based leadership teams, consisting of parents and teachers, will vote on the speech. If the teams vote yes for the speech, it will be taped and shown in social studies class. Parents can still choose to have their child not watch the speech.

The president's administration is also offering study materials to classrooms to supplement the viewing of his speech. They are described as supporting the importance of education.

Letter From Secretary Arne Duncan To School Principals

"Dear Principal:

"In a recent interview with student reporter, Damon Weaver, President Obama announced that on September 8 - the first day of school for many children across America - he will deliver a national address directly to students on the importance of education. The President will challenge students to work hard, set educational goals, and take responsibility for their learning. He will also call for a shared responsibility and commitment on the part of students, parents and educators to ensure that every child in every school receives the best education possible so they can compete in the global economy for good jobs and live rewarding and productive lives as American citizens.

"Since taking office, the President has repeatedly focused on education, even as the country faces two wars, the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression and major challenges on issues like energy and health care. The President believes that education is a critical part of building a new foundation for the American economy. Educated people are more active civically and better informed on issues affecting their lives, their families and their futures.

"This is the first time an American president has spoken directly to the nation's school children about persisting and succeeding in school. We encourage you to use this historic moment to help your students get focused and begin the school year strong. I encourage you, your teachers, and students to join me in watching the President deliver this address on Tuesday, September 8, 2009. It will be broadcast live on the White House website www.whitehouse.gov 12:00 noon eastern standard time.

"In advance of this address, we would like to share the following resources: a menu of classroom activities for students in grades preK-6 and for students in grades 7-12. These are ideas developed by and for teachers to help engage students and stimulate discussion on the importance of education in their lives. We are also staging a student video contest on education. Details of the video contest will be available on our website www.ed.gov in the coming weeks.

"On behalf of all Americans, I want to thank our educators who do society's most important work by preparing our children for work and for life. No other task is more critical to our economic future and our social progress. I look forward to working with you in the months and years ahead to continue improving the quality of public education we provide all of our children."