(upi/newscom)
Second-graders brighten Obama’s Daschle-dashed day
By Dave Cook | 02.03.09
A mid-afternoon visit to a second-grade classroom must have brightened what was a tough day for President Obama.
Barack and Michelle Obama climbed into their limo Tuesday shortly after the news broke that presidential friend and political mentor Tom Daschle was dropping out of contention for the post of secretary of Health and Human Services due to tax troubles.
With police blocking every intersection, the 14-vehicle motorcade may its way down a busy Washington street to the Capital City Public Charter School in only 8 minutes.
School officials knew the president and first lady would visit, but the destination was kept secret from the press and public until the motorcade arrived at the school.
Tired of the White House
In explaining his visit to the class, the president said, “We were just tired of being in the White House.” Only the hardest of hearts could fail to sense the joy in the faces of the 25 admiring children who greeted the Obamas.
The first couple entered the white-walled, blue-carpeted classroom with the president saying, “Hello, everybody.” Education Secretary Arne Duncan trailed them into the classroom.
Mr. Obama, dressed in a blue suit, white shirt, and blue tie, walked around the classroom shaking hands saying, “Good to see you guys.” After shaking a number of students’ hands, he asked, “Did I get everybody?” No, was the reply. So more handshaking ensued.
Finally, the president and Mrs. Obama sat in green plastic chairs in front of the class. “Thank you for having us,” Mr. Obama said. He then recognized various school officials. Mrs. Obama, dressed in a black outfit and tall black boots, led the applause for the school’s principal. When the kids faltered in giving their teacher’s name, Mrs. Obama jokingly chided that they were “falling down on the job on that one.”
A presidential quip
In helping explain their visit, Mrs. Obama pointed out that,“Sasha is our second-grader.” The president quipped that it is “quite a coincidence you are the same age.” Mrs. Obama asked for each student to each give his or her name.
According to the White House, the charter school was founded in 2000 by a group of Washington public school parents working with teachers and other education professionals interested in reform. The building the Obamas visited serves 244 students in Grades Pre-K through 8. The student body is 39 percent African-American, 24 percent Latino, and 34 percent white. More than half the students qualify for reduced-price lunch. Student achievement in the school ranks in the top one-third of D.C. public schools.
A story about possibilities
After pleasantries, the president and Mrs. Obama began to read “The Moon Over Star” by Dianna Hutts Aston, illustrated by Jerry Pinkey. The book is about Neil Armstrong’s moon landing. A White House handout noted that “for the young protagonist of this lyrical and hopeful picture book, that landing is something that inspires her to make one giant step toward all of the possibilities that life has to offer.”
Mrs. Obama began reading, saying, “ I will read first, but if you find my reading so compelling” she would continue. The president sat on the left facing the class, Mrs. Obama on the right, and they held the book up together so the class could see the illustrations. After Mrs. Obama read for three minutes, the president began reading. The class sat quietly with little fidgeting. Three adults sat on the floor with the kids.
When the story was over, the president said, “That’s a nice book.” Then he asked who wanted to be an astronaut. One student said yes. “What else do people want to be?” he asked. The replies included doctor, football player, and sculptor. One boy wanted to be president. “I think you might make it,” the president said.
One student wanted to be a veterinarian. “We had a fish. I’ve got to admit the fish died,” the president said. Mrs. Obama added, “The girls say we keep killing them.” One girl said she wanted to be first lady. Mrs. Obama said, “It doesn’t pay much.”
Presidential superheroes
Then the president asked for questions. Why did he want to be president? “To be able to help people,” he said. Mrs. Obama added that “he listened to his parents and teachers – most of the time.”
A student asked the president who were his superheroes. “Spider-Man and Batman” was the response.
He was asked when it was that he first wanted to be president. He replied, “When I was your age, I wanted to be an architect.”
Mrs. Obama was asked about living in the White House. “It’s a nice house,” she said. “It is one of the most important houses in the country.” The president said, “The people own it.”
The president then thanked the class. “You have been terrific,” he said. The school is “an example of how all our schools should be.” He said his administration wants to make sure we are “duplicating that success all over the country.” He noted the stimulus bill before the Senate would give the Education secretary “resources to reward innovative schools.”
A quick sales pitch
After delivering his sales pitch for the stimulus plan, the president had the class line up for a picture with him and Mrs. Obama. The class then presented the president with artwork they had made. “These are all beautiful, guys. Thank you so much,” he said.
After briefly stepping out of the classroom, the Obamas returned, with the president saying, “we brought some books” for the library. Passing books out to the students, he added, “These are some outstanding books here.” One was “Mr. Peabody’s Apples.”
About half an hour after they arrived, the president and Mrs. Obama left the classroom as he said, “thank you guys.”
When Obama returned to the White House, he was scheduled to give interviews to five television network reporters – an audience nowhere near as adoring as the one he had just left.
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2. Joe | 02.03.09
Obama retreats to the school to hide behind his kid because he can’t stand the heat from the Daschle controversy. How many times has he been to his kid’s school now, while he should be at the White House? It’s obvious he’s not up to the job at all.
3. Scott | 02.03.09
Wow, cold comments. Sorry to see that tom cannot grasp sarcasm, and Joe missed that the fact that it wasn’t his kids school.
I think it’s great that the president can take an hour out of his day to visit our public schools (even though his kids don’t attend one). Those kids will remember that for the rest of their lives. Try not to be so cynical folks.
4. BK | 02.03.09
You’re so anxious to criticize that you are not even willing to properly read the story. The school he attended was Capital City Public Charter School. His children attend the Sidwell Friends private schools. It’s obvious that you’re not up to the job of commenting.
5. Mary Mactavish | 02.03.09
I’m so glad to see that he recognizes all of his responsibilities, both to the present (which he’s taking care of) and the future of the country, there at the school.
6. donna | 02.04.09
I appreciate the thoughtfulness that the President has for all people. I am so proud and he is doing a great job. It is refreshing to see how much he cares. Thank you, Mr. President.
7. T.H. | 02.04.09
For a change the US has a President who isn’t so self-absorbed, and actually loves being out among the people. Thank goodness Barack Obama isn’t prone to isolation, and also too bad George W. didn’t get out more. Might have saved thousands upon thousands of lives.
8. Tom2 | 02.04.09
A person who likes kids more than politic & money would be a better president than what we had before. I wish he chose his next candidate more carefully. After all, kids are the future of this country!
9. Joan | 02.04.09
The President and First Lady did a wonderful thing coming to this school. Why should they stay couped up in the White House? They’re daughter doesn’t attend this school. It is a charter school that uses tax dollars but is privately run without the waste the large school districts suffer. People say the model keeps the public schools honest, because many charter schools do so much more with less. There isn’t anything more important than educating our children well. It’s nice to have something to smile about and it’s important to reassure the children and support the importance and value of reading. The visit puts the rest of our difficulties in perspective. We have much to be thankful for and should maintain our hopefulness that if we work harder and support one another, our kids and grandkids can have a safe and successful future.
10. Ross | 02.04.09
maybe obama and his ol lady should stop marketing his stimulus plan like his ol lady cried about the dolls
12. danadevin | 02.04.09
oh stop
get over it he won
he’s done more in his first week that Bush did in 8 years
13. Mundane | 02.04.09
Id seek sanctuary too, given the unfortunate circumstance of 10 million Tom & Joe’s in the peanut gallery.
14. Mundane | 02.04.09
I just read your “We do not publish all comments, and we do not publish comments immediately. The comments feature is a forum to discuss the ideas in our stories. Constructive debate - even pointed disagreement - is welcome, but personal attacks on other commenters are not, and will not be published.” = sensored freedom of speech terms of service agreement. Unfortunately my last submission doesn’t fall under these guidelines.
15. Mundane | 02.04.09
Id seek sanctuary too, given the unfortunate circumstance of 10 million Tom & Joe’s in the peanut gallery.
16. Andrew | 02.04.09
Teachers, books, and education deserve top priority in Washington and everywhere else, and I applaud the President and First Lady for putting first things first.
17. Seth | 02.04.09
I seem to remember a certain story about Bush wasting time in a classroom during a stressful situation. Change? Hmmm….
18. Cassy | 02.04.09
“Only the hardest of hearts could fail to sense the joy in the faces of the 25 admiring children who greeted the Obamas.” That would be Tom and Joe
19. WIDTAP | 02.04.09
There is nothing wrong with showing that schools and education is important, even while dealing with other national concerns at the same time.
20. Kiki | 02.04.09
I appauld the President and First Lady! You both rock and please, please, please, continue your efforts to put education first and for most. Reading is fundamental and through reading we all gain more knowledge and understanding.
Living in neighboring Prince George’s county our schools system needs a serious overhall. No one knows better then million of caring parents throughout the country that have students in substandard schools.
Take care and God Bless!
21. Smitch | 02.04.09
Seth,
That last “stressful situation” was an unprecedented disaster for our country that claimed the lives of thousands of innocent people. I don’t think that an erroneous cabinet choice compares to the tragedy of 9/11.
22. John | 02.04.09
During Bush’s first term he also went to schools and read books to the young minds. As a matter of fact thats what he was doing on Sept. 11, and he was critisized for finishing the story and leaving peacefully so that the children would not be scared by the events outside of the walls of the school. I’m glad to see Obama out dueing his Predental duties.
23. Susan | 02.04.09
I for one want to see what President Obama can do with our country. I like that he and First Lady Michelle are down to earth and not ready to lock themselves up in the ivory tower called the White House. I don’t think the Obama’s are perfect. I don’t “worship” them. I do think he is a man with fresh ideas and I am willing to give him the chance to help our ailing country before I pass judgment. I am one of the many Americans that has hope for our country’s return to a respected place in the world. I think President Obama and First Lady Michelle did a wonderful thing in going to visit the second grade students, and who knows what impact that visit had on the future of some of those children.
24. RHarrisonScott | 02.04.09
Can’t understand why this event is being treated as anything more than a photo op. The lead should have been “Barack Obama endorses public education in theory but not practice.”
25. taberliner | 02.04.09
Many heartful thanks on a job well done during your first 17 days in the white house Mr. President & First Lady Obama!
As a single, middle-aged mother, I speak for my 12 year old daughter as well, that we appreciate all your strong leadership, your humbling attitude, your care and concern for your people. I will help you bring effective and immediate change to our existing fouled and corrupt government in any way I can.
Keep up the exemplary work with your agenda - America loves and needs YOU!!!
I am glad you are my Mr. President.
Very truly yours,
Terri Berliner
26. Hobart | 02.04.09
What a lame maneuver. And when George Bush read to a classroom, (happened to be on Sept 11, 2001) he was LAMBASTED by the press for wasting his time!
Hypocritical! Just read the glowing words in this article, and the others in the national Obama-news media.
It stinks
27. Sandra Gonzalez | 02.06.09
Obama tired of being in the White House someone tell him he has 4 years. He then escapes to a grade school.. what’s he gonna do if we get hit again by the bin laden PHYSCO, escape to a grade school? I look at him as a the GREEN President.
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Jimmy Orr has worked in politics for the majority of his professional career working for two U.S. Senators, two Governors and one President. Most recently, Orr served as White House Spokesman and Internet Director for President George W. Bush and Special Advisor to Governor Schwarzenegger for Internet Communications.
David Cook is Washington bureau chief of The Christian Science Monitor and host of the Monitor's newsmaker breakfasts. He was the Monitor's editor from 1994 to 2001. Cook is a graduate of Principia College, served in the U.S. Army, was a Bagehot Fellow at Columbia University, and is a member of the Gridiron Club, Washington's oldest journalistic organization.
1. tom | 02.03.09
maybe obama should get a job at the school instead, since he’s already tired of being in the white house after just 2 weeks. he seems much happier there playing with the kiddies. the big boys in the white house are too much for him.