Responses to the President

Students were given excerpts from the President's speech and asked to respond. Many of the comments were insightful, and showed a real understanding of what it takes to be successful.

Excepts taken from Prepared Remarks of President Barack Obama

Back to School Event

Arlington, Virginia

September 8, 2009

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.

Every single one of you has something you’re good at. Every single one of you has something to offer. And you have a responsibility to yourself to discover what that is. That’s the opportunity an education can provide.

That’s why today, I’m calling on each of you to set your own goals for your education – and to do everything you can to meet them. (1)Your goal can be something as simple as doing all your homework, (2) paying attention in class, or (3) spending time each day reading a book. Maybe you’ll decide to get involved in an extracurricular activity, or (4) volunteer in your community. Maybe you’ll (5) decide to stand up for kids who are being teased or bullied because of who they are or how they look, because you believe, like I do, that all kids deserve a safe environment to study and learn.

Whatever you resolve to do, I want you to commit to it. I want you to really work at it. But the truth is, being successful is hard. You won’t love every subject you study. You won’t click with every teacher. Not every homework assignment will seem completely relevant to your life right this minute. And you won’t necessarily succeed at everything the first time you try.

So today, I want to ask you, (7) what’s your contribution going to be? (8) What problems are you going to solve? (9) What discoveries will you make? (10) What will a president who comes here in twenty or fifty or one hundred years say about what all of you did for this country?

Your families, your teachers, and I are doing everything we can to make sure you have the education you need to answer these questions. I’m working hard to fix up your classrooms and get you the books, equipment and computers you need to learn. But you’ve got to do your part too.

So I expect you to get serious this year. I expect you to put your best effort into everything you do. I expect great things from each of you. So don’t let us down – don’t let your family or your country or yourself down. Make us all proud. I know you can do it.

Cierra:

Barack Obama talks about how he wants children to do their best in everything that we do, and I am inspired to do my best finishing assignments and turning everything in.

Hannah H.:

Kids should stand up for other people that are being teased or bullied.

Jacob P.:

I believe that if you work your hardest you can be successful, and to work your hardest you must set goals for yourself. My goal is to give 110% this school year.

Jacob A.:

I think that paying attention in class is important because if you don't pay attention, you will not learn anything, and you will not become successful.

Kasi:

If you work hard, do your best, set goals, and always have a positive attitude you will be successful in life. . . If you get a good education in school, you will be successful when you are an adult.

Shaylee:

When I read this I thought, "we can make a difference, and we can make the World a better place."

Kaylee:

I agree when he said, "spend time each day reading a book." I think this can help you learn more words and help you like to read.

Zach:

I think that if you start something, you should work as hard as you can until you finish.

Justin G:

I think that people should listen to the good things that Barack Obama has to say, even if they don't like him. I agree with him when he says that when the going tets tough, you will have to keep on going. I think you should try your hardest, no matter what.

Garrett:

You have to commit to what it is you are doing. If you don't, you will not succeed. That one word, "commit" means a lot and makes a big difference.

Hannah C.:

The part that really sticks out to me the most is where he said, "Every single one of you has something you're good at. Every single one of you has something to offer. And you have a responsibility to yourself to discover what that is."

Hadley:

I have a goal: Make every day better than the last!

Madison:

If you set a goal, and try to reach that goal, you are pushing yourself to do better. If you set and reach goals, people around you will recognize your progress and be proud of you.

The Inauguration, Almost Unbelievable

Students sat in class today and watched the inauguration of the 44th President. Throughout the day, I thought about what we watched, and then discussed. I tried to understand two million people who came to the National Mall to witness this historic day. I thought about Aretha Franklin singing. My Country Tis of Thee. I kept remembering faces shown throughout the Inaugural Address.

When I got home, and was watching Katie Couric on CBS it really all hit home. When Bob Scheiffer, who has watched the last 12 inaugurations said he had never seen anything like this, I realized a lot of people felt like I did. He said "It's impossible to overstate the atmosphere," Schieffer said. "There's this feeling of good will that seems to have settled over the capitol. I've never really seen anything like it. Nothing can really describe what we witnessed today."

Today wasn't about parties, or whom you cast a vote. Today was a celebration, and a hope for our country. Today was about the hope of a great future for our children, and our childrens' children. Today was about a country and the road ahead.

In the words of Barack Obama,

Our challenges may be new, the instruments with which we meet them may be new, but those values upon which our success depends, honesty and hard work, courage and fair play, tolerance and curiosity, loyalty and patriotism -- these things are old.

These things are true. They have been the quiet force of progress throughout our history.

And then Beyonce sang the Etta James classic, "At Last" at the Neighborhood Ball. It was quite a remarkable day.

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Image from http://flickr.com/photos/mattborowick/3207635903/

Election Brings on Togetherness

With the Presidential election being such a hot topic, naturally students at Laurelville are interested in their teachers' opinions. For the most part, I listen rather than share. BUT, enough already. I thought today was a good day to bring both parties together.

As you can see by the picture, my two colleages, C. Griffey, and C. Bower are celebrating the unity with me that is fast approaching our country. It is great to know that friendships endure, even when opinions differ.

Election Day at Laurelville

We had a primary election today at Laurelville Elementary in our language arts classes. We only voted on the two democratic candidates, due to the closeness of the race. Both classes had a total of 22 voters. Amazingly, both classes had the same results. In each class 14 students voted for Barack Obama, and 8 voted for Hillary Clinton for a total of 28 votes for Obama and 16 for Clinton. This was 64% to 36% win for Obama. Ironically, this is very close to the results of the last 11 primaries.

As part of the process, students listed their two main reasons for choosing the candidate of their choice. The we came to the circle and discussed reasons students used to pick the next President.

Their reasons included:

Barack Obama

Tommy S. He wants to stop taking businesses overseas.

Brianne H. He promises to stop the war and make peace between countries.
He will lower the cost of medical insurance.

Shelby C. Obama talks about change.

Scotty D. He would run the USA better.

Cail J. He is going to make insurance affordable.

Dillon Y. He said he will improve schools.

Kari W. He will help people who have been layed off.

Hillary Clinton

Brittany M. She is going to try to stop the war.

Seth R. She is going to stop achievement tests.

Justin H. I think Hillary will be a better leader.

Emily S. She will get a lot of help from her husband.

Molly V. Her husband was President so she knows what it is like to be President. She already has experience.