Skidmore-Tynan High School students have two words for those who feared President Barack Obama would push a partisan political agenda when he addressed school kids Tuesday: Stop worrying.

“I’m not sure what everyone was so worried about, all he did was try to convince kids to stay in school and get an education,” said Nicole Hesseltine. “It’s nothing we haven’t heard before.”

Skidmore-Tynan ISD broadcast the president’s controversial back-to-school speech over the campus’ public address system.

Beeville and Pettus ISD also allowed classes to watch the president’s address on television if it fit into lesson plans, even if it was shown at a later date.

Read the full transcript of the speech by clicking here.

Despite the fears of many conservatives, the president only challenged students to work hard at getting their education and encouraged them to stay in school.

“At the end of the day, we can have the most dedicated teachers, the most supportive parents, and the best schools in the world – and none of it will matter unless all of you fulfill your responsibilities,” President Obama said in his 15-minute dialogue to the nation’s youth. “Unless you show up to those schools; pay attention to those teachers; listen to your parents, grandparents and other adults; and put in the hard work it takes to succeed.

“And that’s what I want to focus on today: the responsibility each of you has for your education. I want to start with the responsibility you have to yourself.”

Skidmore-Tynan High School journalism instructor Kathryn Head worked the president’s message to school kids into a classroom exercise.

She asked her students what they gleaned from the president’s address, whether his remarks deserved the controversy or media attention they received in the days leading up to the event, and how they would have reported the speech if they were working journalists.

“If you had to put a headline on this speech, what would you say?” she asked her students.

“Stay in school,” D’Anne Wilder responded. “Get an education.”

As for the controversy and media attention the issue has received: “It was blown out of proportion,” Cody Coker said. “It didn’t deserve all the hype.”

Sara Rix said the president’s message is nothing she hadn’t heard before — from her parents and educators.

Then why did the president talk to kids?

“Probably because more kids are getting pregnant and dropping out of school,” reasoned Blair Boatright, a senior.

Will Stridde wondered if it had something to do with the economy.

“Maybe more kids are dropping out to help their parents because of the economy,” he said.

Whatever the reason the president decided to speak to school kids, parents and conservatives have little to fear, the journalism students exclaimed.

“We’re not going to convince our parents to change their minds just because we listened to the president,” Samantha Minter said.

Read the full transcript of the speech by clicking here.