Class receives special delivery
Posted: Wednesday, August 29, 2012 6:00 pm
By: By The Associated Press
The Messenger 08.29.12
DYERSBURG (AP) — A West Tennessee kindergarten class that wrote to President Obama is excited about getting a reply.
Dyersburg Primary School teacher Katie Penland told The State Gazette (http://bit.ly/POo062) that every morning her kindergarten class begins with students repeating “I can” statements revolving around their learning goal followed with “I can be the president.”
She says her students’ enthusiasm for learning motivated her to have them write to the president. She included a letter of her own explaining the purpose of the students’ letters and thanking him for his time.
Not long afterward, the school received an envelope postmarked Washington, D.C.
Inside, a letter from President Obama thanked the students for writing and encouraged them to always do their best.
“I am continually inspired by the enthusiasm and bright ideas of young Americans, and I appreciate your taking the time to share your thoughts with me,” he wrote. “One of the most important things I can do as President is make sure your tomorrow is as bright as it can be. Young people like you are America’s future and whether we fall behind or race ahead as a Nation will depend largely on your generation. As you grow and learn, remember that our country is counting on you to be a dedicated and hard-working student. I encourage you to set your sights high, aim for excellence in all that you do, and try each day to improve the lives of others in your community.”
Penland said the response was unexpected but will have a lasting effect on her class.
“This encourages the students that they can grow up to be anything they want to be,” she said. “It also teaches them that hard work pays off. We sent the letters without any expectation. Receiving something back was just a bonus.”
Penland said she encouraged the students to use descriptive and question words in their letters. Some thanked him for working so hard, while others asked if he liked his job.
The class also received signed photos of the president; a brochure that includes popular questions asked of the president; and a portrait of Bo, the “first dog,” as well as a brochure about him and other pets that have lived in the White House.
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Information from: State Gazette, http://www.stategazette.com
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Dyersburg kindergarten class, President Obama
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