Students at Weatherbee Elementary in Fort Pierce watched President Obama’s speech in their classrooms this afternoon a couple of hours after it was broadcast live. Fourth-graders in Katie Robinson’s class were asked to write letters to the president, telling him about themselves and giving advice.

Many asked that he revise the dress code in St. Lucie County — Roberto Barrera, 10, wrote: “My advice to you is please no more dress code” — while others poured their hearts out about their families and personal troubles.

Azariah Murray, 9, asked the president to help his family by making “more stuff free” and making food more available. He also put in a request that jeans be allowed again at school. He also advised Obama to eat one piece of candy to help him work harder, but to remember to brush his teeth afterward.

Mendie Fleurine, 11, gave Obama this advice: “Never give up. Do your best. Never listen to someone that never appreciates you for who you are.”

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INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — Local ministers, NAACP officials and Democrats say they will go to school board offices early Tuesday in an attempt to persuade officials to reverse a decision to not allow students to hear President Barack Obama’s live noon speech on education.

The Indian River County Democratic Executive Committee announced it plans for a “large group” of pehaps more than 50 people to gather outside School Board offices to protest the decision.

“How is it that the Indian River County School District can take it upon itself to censor the president of the United States of America?” said the Rev. Vernon Reason, a member of the Indian River County Pastor’s Association.

Reason said leaders for the group of about 18 churches met Sunday after learning that Indian River County schools would not air the program live.

School officials announced Thursday that School Board policy requires the broadcast be first taped and reviewed to determine if the material is educationally relevant.

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