Dear Mr. President
Wednesday, January 21, 2009 11:08 AM EST
Students at the Wood School in Plainville watch Obama's inauguration. (Staff photo by Mike George)
From tips on how and what kind of dog to pick as a pet for his daughters, to staying in shape with a Wii, and making sure to spend time with his family despite the weight of the world, to tips on how to handle climate change, sixth-graders from Beatrice Wood Elementary School teacher Maggie Hoagland's class had their own advice for President Barack Obama.
The students penned their advice in letters bound in a book that is now bound for the White House.
Here's a sampling of some of those letters in their actual written words.
Dear President Obama,
My name is Asha Poindexter. I am 12-years-old, in the sixth grade, and my birthday is July 2. I go to school in Plainville. Before I was going to school in Boston but my mom passed away on December 11 of last year. But I am okay just going through a lot but I'll be just fine. I just want to compliment you on you and your family and your beautiful kids Malia and Sasha. They're so cute (I'm a girl) don't worry and if you can tell them I said hi and Michelle Obama. I thank you so much for working so hard and becoming the first black president and not just because you're black because I am black too. I thank you so much for changing peoples' world and lives around you. You are my favorite president.
P.S. I agree with your kids getting a cute puppy. I think they will be so happy if they get a puppy and they are so cute. Because they need it to come home from school and have a nice, cute, sweet, beautiful dog all over you as soon as you walk in the door. I wish them a sweet sunshine day and to say to the Obama family read this letter and say "She's nice I wish I could see her". I thank you so much Obama family.
Sincerely,
Asha Sylvia Poindexter
Dear President Obama,
Now that you're president you have lots of responsibilities. As an American citizen I know some tips the people want you to take care of. My first concern is having you focus on finding Osama Bin Laden, and taking the troops to where he is instead of having them in Iraq, dying and losing family and friends, fighting for nothing. Osama is a huge threat to our country. Another tip is to try and solve if not all, but most of, poverty in Africa. Little children are dying, babies don't live to enjoy our world. Kids left orphans. Older brothers, only 12-years-old, take care of their 6-year-old sisters, no parents just them. Cardboard boxes are being used as beds. This is a problem you can't ignore. This problem is my number one concern. Please fix it. Global warming is yet another problem. It is so expensive to fix but important to fix. Go solar power, stop cutting down trees, recycle. The world should have generations of people to come. But in all the trouble of the world stop being Superman for us, be Superman for yourself and your family. The White House is full of rooms to enjoy. Take your family out to ice cream. Don't let your daughters feel like you don't care about them. Also, trust your daughters. When they go out don't send your entire pack of security, just two. Also spend time by yourself. In the newspaper I saw a before and after picture of the past presidents. They aged so much. So take time for yourself and relax. A spa, yoga, fun activities and sports, all these will help. But if you still age use Neutrogena deep wrinkle. I may be a kid but I watch the news, read the newspaper and listen to my parents' conversations. I know a lot about what is going on. Take these tips and make your job easier. Congratulations on becoming president.
Tehya Sesay
Dear President Obama,
How is it being the first African-American president? It must be extremely difficult having all the pressure on yourself. But have no fear, because I am here. I am here to give some advice to help with your presidency.
First of all, try to sometimes focus on other things rather than politics. For instance, marine mammals (whales, dolphins, penguins, etc.). They need more help than ever trying to survive in the ocean. You could get a team of people who really care and send them out to watch the whales, dolphins and penguins so hunters won't kill them. That would be extremely helpful to all the animals who need it. As for me, I would be happy as a little kid on their birthday (I love dolphins!).
Second, we need to get strict on recycling. It is killing everything on this planet, including itself. You could order the factories to stop dumping toxic waste and oil in lakes, rivers and oceans. That will save tons of wild-life and water. You could also enforce the rule of recycling plastic cans and glass bottles. Plastic water bottles from the store waste money, but you can take real water bottles and fill them with tap water from the sink. It is the same exact thing. It will help the ozone layer.
Third, don't forget to have fun. Play with your daughters every day. Get closer to their hearts. If you want to be active and play at the same time with your daughters, get the Wii. It is so much fun. It has multiple games for everybody in your family. The most fun is Guitar Hero. You play songs on a "guitar". Your daughters will probably love it and everyone can play. It feels like you are actually in a band. Definitely get it. You won't regret it.
That is about it with the advice. I hope you take to heart what I have told you. I would love it if you would put these things into action. Have fun being president!
Sincerely,
Emma
Dear President Obama,
I've been watching the news, and I've been thinking. You've been having some trouble. Trouble on what? You might be thinking. An eleven-year-old girl is telling me that I've been having trouble that I don't know about. Well, you're the bad boy for the press. You know you've been hiding a secret. No one saw it coming. You're the President now. People voted for you and what you were going to do. Now you, Barack Obama, are telling the world you smoke. I was really disappointed when I heard this. I wanted you to win from the start. But, I don't want you running our country if you smoke. This is where I come in. I'm writing to you to give wise advice so you can quit.
First, control your addiction. You're the President. Focus on your work. Also, many people are having the same problem. I would suggest some medication. For example, try some Nicorette gum. I hear it really works, but never just smoke for fun. You're putting your life in great danger. Maybe try some of your favorite hobbies. That might take your mind off things (like smoking). Last but not least, try talking with your family. They adore you more than me. They might be really helpful.
I'm glad I could help. Please take this into consideration. Enjoy being the first African-American president.
Sincerely,
Emily Nado
Dear President Obama,
Congratulations! I was so excited to hear you got picked for president. By the way my name is Aurora, but you can say/call me Rory. I was thinking maybe you could re-style the "house". So we'll start with Malia and Sasha's room.
First, you should start with the color. You probably would want to let them choose so they'll like the color. Make sure you get them a big bed. With whatever headboard you get you should get matching bureaus to go with it. It goes splendid. Now to spice up the room add some sparkles, posters or pictures for them. Now where are you going to sleep?
When you go to paint your room you should make it a dark, romantic color, like a brownish red color. Make sure you get a gigantic bed and to spruce up your room you should get some candles and romantic lights you can dim. That should do it.
While you're doing the rest of the house you might as well do the kitchen. The kitchen needs to be light most of the time so if you use a yellow that is toned down it will look really good. Also, you need to have curtains that can let light through. It will open up the house and be very welcoming. This is how I think you should style the house.
Sincerely,
Aurora (Rory)
Dear Barack Obama,
My name is David Lucas. I have some advice for you. Train your dog very well. Give it toys and bones and please potty train it, and don't forget about your girls. I think you will be a great great president. May the force be with you.
Sincerely,
David Lucas
Dear President Obama,
You must feel like a runner who just finished the final lap of your tiring, but successful race. I mean, you probably just ended the toughest part of running for president, and what might you question is the the convincing of the course? Think about it, to get the higher percentage of the country to vote for you is like trying to persuade your little sister to take the smaller piece of cake. You are a miracle worker, but now you are done and I want you to just relax.
So before I start I would just like to say thank you for taking time out of your work to read all of our letters. It really means a lot to us. Okay, now first of all I think we should get more into recycling because I think recycling is really important. If we recycled more we would have a cleaner environment, which equals a cleaner country, and a cleaner country equals overall healthier lives. Also, if we did this it would set a good example for other countries.
My next thought was that health insurance should be much more affordable. It really should, because I believe everyone should have health insurance, they need it. It is an extremely important necessity and some people know they need it, but simply cannot afford it. For some people it is very frustrating to pay the price, it really is. We need to do something about it and fast.
Last but certainly not least, I think the people in this country should try to preserve our precious forests. We need to definitely do this because day after day we really need to try to not just cut down trees and replace them with malls, stores and huge houses in their place. It is not a good thing to do to our environment. We really need to limit the forests we destroy.
All in all, I think that these three things are just friendly suggestions that you might want to think about, but you certainly do not have to because I know you have a lot to worry about. You are of course a busy man, being the president and all. Well, I wish you the best in your presidency and hope you and your family enjoy life in the White House.
Sincerely,
Abby Seaberg
Dear President Obama,
I would like to give you some excellent advice on how to be an outstanding father. Since you are president, take your kids out to eat or take them to the park. There are so many things to make you and your kids as happy as can be. Like I suggested take you and your kids to a place where scrumptious food is served. You can't always get what you want, but you can have a good time with your kids.
Sincerely,
Aaron
Dear President Obama,
Congratulations on winning the 2008-2009 Presidential Election. I was supporting you the whole way. In this letter I am supposed to give you advice, or share some of my opinions with you. There are two specific things that have been on my mind. First off, I feel that the driving age should be moved up to 18. I feel that at 16, kids are way too young to handle that much responsibility. Also I think that they shouldn't get their license if they do not have good grades. The other topic that has been on my mind is that I believe that there should be more legal action taken when you get caught under age drinking or if you receive a D.U.I. If this was made possible think about how many teens would be saved from making that specific poor choice. Those are my two opinions on what I think would improve the nation.
Thank you very much. And remember the most important part about being a president, remember you are still a dad. Don't forget your family.
P.S. Good luck.
Sincerely,
Mackenzie
Dear President Obama,
First of all, thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to read these letters. It must feel great to finally be in the White House with your family. Just think, you rule the country, if something goes wrong, the pressure is on you to fix it. You are amazing, you've made history. You are the President of the United States. You must feel outstanding that the competition is over and no one can take your place.
First of all, I would like to talk about the economy. I feel this is an extremely important subject in our country today. My advice to fix this problem is to lower the taxes so the lower class people can keep more money.
Also, it would be great to provide more jobs for adults, and especially college students, who are looking for jobs right now. It would be nice to choose from a wider range of good jobs.
Another important thing in our country is health insurance. I believe that no matter how much money you have you should have health insurance.
Last but certainly not least, your children and family. Spend time with your family. Take them out to dinner, a movie, or bowling. Have some family fun.
Thank you so much and congrats on winning.
Thank you,
Grace Pomfred
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Spamalot01 wrote on Jan 22, 2009 8:32 AM:
kevin h. wrote on Jan 21, 2009 6:03 PM:
bradygal wrote on Jan 21, 2009 4:53 PM:
My mother still has a copy of the letter I wrote to President Reagan while in Mrs. Hoagland's sixth grade class. In case you don't remember, he was a Republican. "
Spamalot01 wrote on Jan 21, 2009 4:09 PM:
offended wrote on Jan 21, 2009 3:11 PM:
kevin h. wrote on Jan 21, 2009 2:52 PM:
Got Constitution? "
offended wrote on Jan 21, 2009 1:53 PM:
realist wrote on Jan 21, 2009 12:49 PM:
kevin h. wrote on Jan 21, 2009 12:27 PM:
I want a pony and a bike, and an x-box, and a car, and free gasoline, and free food, and a sub-prime loan, and a bailout, and I think it's ok if you take the money needed from my hard working neighbors as long as I get my stuff. Thank you Barack Obama, my lord, you truly are The ONE.
Oh, And can I have more Kool-Aid please?
Signed, The unrealistic dreamer. "
Jessica Kosowski wrote on Jan 21, 2009 11:14 AM:
hardhearted on 01/21/2009 09:19:42 said:
"Funny, I don't remember the teachers encouraging their students to write to the Republican president?
How about a thank you note to the former president for working hard and preventing a terrorist attacks since 9/111" "