What Do You Think? Should I Go For It?

[Dinger]

As many of you know, I am an elementary teacher. Every year I have my students take part in a "Wax Museum" project. They choose a person (past or present) who they admire. They research that person, and write a speech in the first person. Then they create a poster where they "advertise" the person
they will portray for the "Wax Museum". Next, they create a large backdrop (from a large roll of white paper) that will hang behind them on the day of the museum. They do all of this at school, and their parents get them a "costume" together at home that they can wear as they portray their person. On the day of the museum, they are ready. It's very exciting for them. They stand still (like wax figures) as the people approach them for the museum. As soon as the person is directly in front of them, they "come to life" and begin their speech. Then they step back and wait for the next visitor. This will be the fifth year my class has done this. It is a wonderful learning experience for the kids. Their families, friends, other classes in the school, and the local community are invited. (Boy, are the kids tired at the end of the day!). O.K., now this brings me to the "Go for it" thingie. One little boy in my class has chosen to portray President Obama for our wax museum. He is of African American and Native American descent. His father died tragically a few years ago. He has talked to me all year about choosing President Obama. He is so excited and happy to be doing this! He struggles a bit in class, but has made great strides this year. I teach third grade. Here is the speech he will give (It will be memorized):


Hi. My name is Barack Obama. I was born in 1961 in Hawaii. My parents
were of different races, and from different continents. My mom told me about
slavery and civil rights in the United States. My mother wanted me to be proud of
my background. I lived with my grandparents while I went to school. In 1983 I
graduated from The University of New York. I found a job and moved to Chicago
in 1985. I helped people in poor neighborhoods improve their lives. I got married
in 1992 to a lady named Michelle. We have two daughters named Malia and Sasha.
In 2004 I won a seat to the U.S. Senate. I asked all Americans to work together
to help the United States become an even greater country. Some people wanted me
to run for President in 2008. In November I was elected as President of the
United States. I will keep working to help people and make the world a more
peaceful place.



I know it is simple, but he was so proud of his effort. (Please let me know if anything needs correcting, and I will help him with this.)


O.K., here it goes . . . .

Fantasy time here folks . . . You're getting the idea by now . . . . How about if I invited President Obama and his family to our Wax Museum this year? It will be on May 14th. Our school is a very small rural school, with a rather diverse student population, especially for a rural Wisconsin school. Budgets are hurting us badly. We have made many cuts (teachers, programs), yet our students continue to excel. We have won numerous awards for our performance on standardized tests. Most of our students are on free and reduced lunch. We struggle, yet we succeed. I am very proud of our school.

Any suggestions of how I can go about this> Or should I?

[Clio the Leo]

1. lol for the longest, I thought you were asking.....

... if you should let the kid do it and I was thinking, "well duh!"

But my answer is still the same ..... you never know .... he definately wont come if you dont ask.

[Clio the Leo]

2. and throw in...

... into little man's speech, "I hope to make health care affordable to all Americans by the end of 2009..." and that will perk his ears up. lol

[AtomicKitten]

3. Can't hurt to ask. He isn't coming if you don't ask. Good luck. n/t

[valerief]

4. What a terrific event! I wish I was a child in your class. I think the

Pres. Obama speech is absolutely charming.

Why not ask your "Obama" pupil to write a letter to the president and send it snail mail and also email?

[islandgirl808]

5. YES

wouldn't hurt to try :).


certainly have to be creative though, right? grab his and/or michelle's attention.

[jesus_of_suburbia]

6. Yes, ask! You never know. And I love the premise. The little guy's speech is perfect

(although I agree with Clio the Leo to add the bit about healthcare - if your student agrees)

[MADem]

7. You should invite him if you'd like but you need to understand that the odds are poor that he will

be able to attend. You'll want to clear it with your "chain of command"--I don't think the principal or superintendent will be thrilled on the remote shot that a motorcade pulls up and they didn't know about it.

The Presidential schedule is pretty much filled up well in advance. The chance of their being a hole in it this close to the date isn't terribly good. There are obligations on that schedule that are more than a year away.

Still, it can't hurt to ask. The worst thing they can say to you is NO. Maybe some other administration official might be in the area and stop by.

You might get a nice letter from someone on staff thanking you for the invitation, and if you ask nicely, you might be able to get an autopen-signed picture for the little kid playing Obama (give his name and they'll include that on the photo, if they've not changed the basic system of doing that sort of thing).

[Honeycombe8]

8. I can be a Debbie Downer about such things, usually. But it doesn't hurt to ask.

What's the worst that could happen? The W.H. would reply and say "regretfully, the President is unavailable." Nothing lost. As long as you are prepared for the answer.

I imagine the W.H. is inundated with such requests. All Presidents are, and particularly this one.

But the prior poster was right: He certainly won't come if you don't ask. And you don't lose anything if you ask and they decline. And who knows? Maybe he'll accept!

Your student sounds so cute and proud. I wish we could see him give his speech. His speech is perfect, by the way, for a youngster. If he added anything...I would suggest he add the part that Obama went to law school at Harvard. To me, that's important...that youngsters know that in order to reach the top, you have to get a good education. But they're only 3rd graders, so his speech as it is is outstanding.

What a fun event! I wish my teachers had planned events like that when I was in school.

[Politicalboi]

15. Or that he was the first

African American to be President of his class.

[madmom]

9. You never know till you try...I say go for it!

[Aloha Spirit]

10. maybe "from college in New York" instead of Columbia University in New York

If your school receives stimulus $$ maybe make a video about how it's helping the school and send that to the white house.
Broaden the purpose of a visit somehow.

[givemebackmycountry]

11. Do it - Do it tomorrow -

Remember, this is a DIFFERENT kind of President and I got a feeling that this is the type of thing he loves.
And you know what?
He if he can't show up, it's entirely possible that Michelle will.
And that may even be better than the big guy showing up.

(just make sure that the school does not have any copies of "My Pet Goat" laying around)

Best of luck!

[NYC_SKP]

12. Yes, Dinger. You should do it.

And I hope it works out!

No suggestions on how to go about it, but I'm sure it will be worth the effort.

Recommended.

:patriot:

[ColbertWatcher]

13. If you don't I'm sure several of us on DU will!

I want pictures, regardless.

[winyanstaz]

14. Even if Obama cant make it...get it on you tube...

You could put it on the www. so we can all see it. :) Just a thought.

[ColbertWatcher]

16. Kick. n/t

[Dinger]

17. Update

I will help him draft a letter to President Obama today. We will send it this afternoon. He really wants to do this. He's giving up his noon recess for it in fact!

[Adelante]

18. Write to Michelle, too, Ding

This is right up her alley (and pillow talk and all).

[Dinger]

19. Will Do

Thanks for the tip:)

[Dinger]

21. Just To Make Sure, Is This Address The Correct One?

President Barack Obama/Michelle Obama
1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW
Washington, DC 20500

[Adelante]

22. Yes, but I would send them separately, including a copy with Michelle's

of the letter sent to the prez.

[Dinger]

28. My Student Wrote Separate Letters To The President & Mrs. Obama

I also enclosed separate letters from me with some background info on our school and my student (His childhood has some definite similarities to the President's childhood), and a photo of the boy. I did explain that the chances of President Obama coming were poor, but this boy just wants the President to see it. He's got a realistic perspective. If Obama comes here, it will be the biggest shock of my life, but I WILL make the most of it.:patriot:

[Dinger]

29. Accidental Dupe, Sorry (nt)

[Terran]

20. It's not a lot of advance notice for the POTUS, but go for it.

It would *unimaginably* cool if he does come.

[Dinger]

23. Sent The Letters Out This Morning,

Express mail. They'll be at the White House on Monday!

[YvonneCa]

24. I think what you are doing is GREAT. It's makes me proud to also...

...be a teacher. I hope Obama accepts and your dream...and your student's dream...is realized. As a teacher, you know that you have to also prepare your student for possible disappointment, too. Have another 'plan B' for this student and your class in case plan A doesn't work out.

That said, hopemonger that I am, I'm pulling for you and your class! :7 Good luck...and let us know how things work out.

[antigop]

26. Dinger, have you thought about contacting the local media?

Let the local media know that you have asked President Obama to come. You might get some great publicity that way.

Does your school district have a PR person you could contact?

[Dinger]

27. Not Really A PR Person, But

Our principal and superintendent are supportive. I wrote a letter with my student's letter, and gave some background on him and our school.
I also provided a school contact number, etc. I have had politicians come to school before, and always had support. If we are contacted and lightning strikes (so to speak), I do have good contacts with local media, etc. I'd post my letter, but I gave out some info about my school and students that's probably best left confidential. Also, I will have pics and videos galore if tis actually happens!

**crossing my fingers, & whatever else I can**

Note to mods: Could we get a crossing fingers smiley? Pretty please?:)

[antigop]

30. Dinger, I'm not asking you to wait until (if) you are contacted

Try to get the local press to pick up the story now--about the school doing the wax museum and that the student invited the President to attend. Try to build the story from the ground up. Let the local press know about the invitation and that you are waiting for a response.

A PR contact in your district (assuming you teach in a public school) might be able to do this for you.

Try to get the local media interested in the story now. Remember the story about the boy who was trying to get the interview with Obama? That story go national attention.

Someone who handles PR in the district could help. Or maybe your principal might want to contact the local media.

[Dinger]

32. Good Suggestions

Yes, I teach in a public school. And the PR person is actually my (classroom) next door neighbor. I will do that tomorrow, and I'll keep this updated here.

[antigop]

33. Good luck! Please keep up posted. This would be a great story for the press to pick up on. n/t

[iamthebandfanman]

25. glad to hear u went for it

if anything im sure youll get some sort of response from the white house :)

[Born_A_Truman]

31. Glad you went for it!

You should tape it and send it to the WH even if they can't come in person. My grandson's class did a similar thing last year only it wasn't a wax museum; just dressed in character and gave a small speech to the audience (parents, etc) and it was adorable. What a wonderful way to learn history and get children involved. Good job!

[Dinger]

34. Still Hopin'

Hoping for a miracle. I gotta believe.

[asdjrocky]

35. Tell him there will be pie.

Pecan pie.

[leftynyc]

36. It certainly wont hurt to try

It's so close in date I doubt he'd be able to make it but perhaps someone else from the White House can come or maybe he'll send a letter to read aloud.