Obama Kids Visit White House, Schools

Malia And Sasha Obama Get To Check Out New Rooms And See Potential New Schools In Washington

(AP)  Malia and Sasha Obama get to see their new rooms at the White House on Tuesday, capping a busy few days looking into their new life in the nation's capital that also involved visits to potential new schools.

At the invitation of first lady Laura Bush, the daughters of President-elect Barack Obama were touring the White House with their mother and grandmother.

Sasha, 7, and Malia, 10, along with their mother, Michelle, were expected to spend a short time touring the First Family's residential rooms at the White House, said Mrs. Obama's spokeswoman, Katie McCormick Lelyveld. Mrs. Obama's mother, Marian Robinson, was also with the group.

"The first lady graciously invited Mrs. Obama, her mother and the girls to visit what will be their new home," Lelyveld said. "Of course, Mrs. Obama greatly appreciated this invitation to provide an opportunity for the girls to feel at home and become comfortable in this transition process."

The visit was strictly private, with no media coverage or photos.

Earlier in the day, the family visited their top choices for schools "to make sure we find the right fit," Lelyveld said. She would not name the schools. "Their move to Washington is her top priority," she said.

A small motorcade was parked outside the Sidwell Friends school on Tuesday for about 40 minutes, and a similar motorcade was at the back entrance of Georgetown Day School on Monday. The Georgetown Day motorcade left after a group of people emerged, but Michelle Obama was not seen among them.

Ellis Turner, associate head of school at Sidwell Friends, would not say whether the Obamas had been there.

"We don't provide information on admissions inquiries," he said.

When asked whether Michelle Obama had visited Georgetown Day, some parents and students said they did not know. Other students who appeared to be in middle school said that they were not allowed to answer reporters' questions.

The soon-to-be first lady visited both elite schools last week, without her daughters, when she also toured the White House with Laura Bush.

Georgetown Day, founded in 1945, was an early pioneer in integration and prides itself on its diversity. A report posted on the school's Web site says about 35 percent of its estimated 1,000 students are of color.

Sidwell Friends is a private, Quaker school that Chelsea Clinton attended.

The president-elect's family also has discussed public school options for the two girls, Washington Mayor Adrian Fenty and Schools Chancellor Michelle Rhee said last week.

[meinnv]

Seeing as how Bush has served 8 years, and can not run again or be re-elected, I think it is great he is ending his career by being gracious and opening the doors to make the transition easier.

I am sure there were things he feels, in looking back, he could have done differently. As we all say, hindsight is 100%; foresight 0%.

At least we all have time to make the transition.

It is always a good idea to check out schools and your new surroundings before any move :)

[specialty8]

I really do not care where the Obama kids go to school or what kind of a dog they get. I don''t care how Michelle decorates the Whitehouse as long as it is not to tacky.This media thing over the Obamas is nuts. Lets hope he is a better president than he was a senator for the broken state of Illinois.

[barbaraf4]

I think Michelle is doing all the right things to help her girls settle in. So far I''m impressed with the Obamas'' parenting skills.

[dragontat2]

The Obamas must be so excited for their children. We hear about the negative and the political so much about D.C., but to experience the culture of the city by living there, as they will in the White House, must certainly be awesome.
I don''t envy them the job of maintaining some semblance of normalcy. Fortunately, they appear to be a very grounded family.
I am giddy with excitement for January 20, 2009.
They get a new house, we get a new administration. I don''t know which is better off!

[justspiffy]

But he didn''t did he? He was going after Osama but he was really after Saddam. What would anyone here call that? Iraq had nothing to do with 9/11. Osama is Saudie

[rixmix98]

I really do not care where the Obama kids go to school or what kind of a dog they get. I don''''''''t care how Michelle decorates the Whitehouse as long as it is not to tacky.This media thing over the Obamas is nuts. Lets hope he is a better president than he was a senator for the broken state of Illinois.

Posted by specialty8



Sounds like you''re upset that you''ll never amount to anything. Like the post below this one, they''re only kids you idiot.

[antepamfe200]

What a great experience this is for the girls. They will be able to tell their children and grandchildren that they got to live in the White House. I pray that the Lord will bless our first family and watch over them. Thank you.

[cbscrash072]

I really do not care where the Obama kids go to school or what kind of a dog they get. I don''''''''t care how Michelle decorates the Whitehouse as long as it is not to tacky.This media thing over the Obamas is nuts. Lets hope he is a better president than he was a senator for the broken state of Illinois.

Posted by specialty8

Go find somewhere else to spread your negative energy. Nobody cares about the nastiness you have to offer. Grow up, then shut up. If you can''''t take it, tough cookies, boohoo. They''''re kids for God sakes whats your problem. Get a hobby and stop hating on people you don''''t like. Because your opinion mattered that much you''''d be in the White House, not them.

Posted by ToldYouSo74

I don''t really care either. But you seem to have hit a button.

[downsteamjim]

I hope Obama''s children find a nice school. I would hate to see them endure the he ll hole liberals have made of the D.C. schools. I just wish all D.C. or Chicago children had the choices Obama''s kids have.

[deathofusa]

hope Obama''''s children find a nice school. I would hate to see them endure the he ll hole liberals have made of the D.C. schools. I just wish all D.C. or Chicago children had the choices Obama''''s kids have.
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Posted by downsteamjim at 07:35 PM : Nov 18, 2008


Actually, I think it is important for the Obama girls to experience the "real" schools in Washington like the rest of America''s kids. Why are they special? Isn''t that Obama''s platform? The same for EVERYONE! YES WE CAN!

[oldguy4truth]

I hope they do choose a public school, and Senators and Congressman and all do the same. Maybe then they will realize how bad our school system is.