DES hears from the president
Posted on: Sep 11, 2019
When Jon Wissink began considering how to make Presidents Day more meaningful to his students last winter, he decided to go straight to the top.
After brainstorming and writing sessions in small groups, the Delano Elementary School special education teacher and 14 of his students sent a letter to the president himself.
Shortly after the school year ended, Wissink received a response that included two letters from President Donald Trump, one addressed to the students and one to Wissink. The packet also included excerpts from the Constitution outlining the powers and duties of the president, the Bill of Rights, information about the presidential and vice presidential seals, a list of all the presidents and their terms in office, and instructions on how to visit the White House.
Wissink has enjoyed showing his students the results of their efforts in the opening days of school this fall.
“It’s really exciting because you don’t get a letter every day from the president,” said Jude Burr, a third-grader who participated in the letter writing process. “He’s the biggest guy in our country for four years.”
Was Wissink surprised by the response from the White House?
“I had reserved expectations. Maybe a single letter response,” he said. “But certainly not the packet we received.”
Things to say and do
The letter from Delano students listed a few things that students wanted to say to the president, along with some things they wanted the president to do.
Some of the highlights of what students wanted to say to the president included: “You should help mow the lawn at the White House,” “Don’t let people rob banks anymore,” and “I’m wondering if you could come to my brother’s birthday party and wish him a happy birthday.”
Highlights of what students wanted the president to do included: “Make the English language easier to spell,” “Make jail bars thicker so the bad guys can’t get out,” “I want you to build the biggest Lego block,” “I want candy to be free,” and “The border wall should have a door where they can check your passports.”
Second-grader Ryan Bernick said he simply wanted the president to try his best. He added that while he has never seen the actual White House, he did see the upside down version in the Wisconsin Dells.
“And I have seen his airplane, his humongous airplane,” Bernick added.
In general, students said they felt more connected to the country’s leader, and Wissink said the exchange had lasting value.
“It helps us remember the presidents we’ve had and what they’ve done for the country,” he said. “And this shows students that our elected officials do listen to us when we speak.”
That was something Burr wasn’t taking for granted.
“It was really nice of him to send us a letter. I don’t think a lot of presidents would do that, but he did,” Burr said. Then, after a pause: “But his secretary probably helped him with it.”
Bernick and Burr agreed that George Washington and Abraham Lincoln were among their favorite presidents, with Burr adding Barack Obama and Trump, and
Bernick also listing Jimmy Carter.
Why was Washington their favorite?
“Because he stopped a war,” said Bernick.
How about Lincoln?
“Because he reunited America, the top half and the bottom half,” said Burr.
“And freed the slaves,” added Bernick. “I’ve learned all of this from history books.”
In the response to students from the White House, dated May 30, President Trump thanked students for their “wonderful suggestions” and said in part, “As your president, I want you to know that I am listening, and I will always work hard for you. Together, we will guide the course of America and the world for many years to come and we will create a better and brighter future for you and your family.”
Post Categories: Elementary School