WASHINGTON, Nov. 21, 2008
Obama Kids To Attend Private D.C. School
Obamas Choose Sidwell Friends For Sasha And Malia; Same School That Joe Biden's Grandkids Attend
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In this Nov. 10, 2008 file photo, Sasha Obama and Malia Obama, the children of President-elect Barack Obama, not pictured, walk to school after their father dropped them off in Chicago. (AP)
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Play CBS Video Video The Personal Transition The Obamas will soon be the youngest first family to move into the White House since the Kennedys nearly 50 years ago. Steve Kroft speaks with Barack and Michelle Obama about their personal transition.
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Photo Essay Accepting The Mantle President-elect Barack Obama addresses the nation and the world after his victory.
"A number of great schools were considered. In the end, the Obamas selected the school that was the best fit for what their daughters need right now," said Katie McCormick Lelyveld, a spokeswoman for Michelle Obama.
She said Malia, 10, and Sasha, 7, "bring with them a number of security and privacy concerns that come with being part of the new first family — and the school they've selected is positioned to appropriately accommodate that."
She also said that Sasha and Malia had become good friends with Vice President-elect Joe Biden's grandchildren, who attend the school.
Sidwell is a private Quaker school with a campus in northwest Washington for grades 5-12 and another in suburban Bethesda, Md., for kindergarten through fourth grade. Malia is in fifth grade and Sasha is in second grade, suggesting that the girls would attend schools at different locations.
Michelle Obama and her daughters visited Sidwell and another elite private school, Georgetown Day, earlier this week. The soon-to-be first lady visited both schools last week, without her daughters.
Lelyveld said that while public schools were considered, the Obamas felt that a private school was in the best interest of their children. The two girls currently attend a private school in Chicago.
"Mrs. Obama is the product of public education on the South Side of Chicago and she believes strongly in the importance of good public schools for all kids," Lelyveld said. "The Obama administration intends to work closely with the school systems in the years to come to ensure quality public education is available to all kids."
Jimmy Carter's daughter, Amy, went to a public school, but Bill and Hillary Rodham Clinton chose Sidwell for Chelsea. Al Gore III, the son of former Vice President Al Gore, also attended Sidwell.
Tuition at the lower school is $28,442 and $29,442 at the middle and upper schools.
Malia and Sasha Obama currently attend the private University of Chicago Laboratory Schools, where Michelle Obama is on the board.
© MMVIII The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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- I did not vote for Obama, but on this point I agree with the decision that he and his wife made; the girls will simply be safer at Sidwell-Friends.
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- What the surprise? Everyone has been saying he is an elitist--what shouldn''t his kids go to an elite private school? He feels that he is better than the rest of us.
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- There is no surprise, who cares what he thinks?
He will ruin this country anyway. But, what people don't get is the difference between respect and disagreeing, who cares if he sends his kids to private school? Congrats Mr. Obama, you can afford it. Meanwhile, if you want to send your kids to private school, wait until you can afford it!
- There is no surprise, who cares what he thinks?
- I''ll bet there''s even less of a chance that you are a proud graduate of sidwell.
Posted by jgg0002 at 11:07 PM : Nov 22, 2008
Well, I am. What''s your point ? - Reply to this comment
- Posted by Rowdydfw at 02:15 PM : Nov 22, 2008
My dear, have you read your own posts? They reak of intolerance for free-thinking or different points of view, topped off with unnecessary ad hominem attacks. Where on earth did you get the idea that Sidwell indoctrinates children with socialist principles? You are so angry about this past election that it''''''''s clouding your judgment and inhibiting your ability to present a logical argument. I recommend you take a deep breath and count to ten before you hit "publish"; you just might stop yourself from putting your foot into your mouth again.
Posted by RationalTalk
Excellent post - wishful thinking, tho. Her hate is all she has.
She proves her ignorance every day all over this website. I am sick to death of ignorant texans. I am willing to bet she''s never been outside the state.
Things you will never hear a texan say:
Too Many deer heads detract from the decor.
Spittin'' is such a nasty habit.
I just couldn''t find a thing at Wal-Mart today. - Reply to this comment
- .they''ve always gone to school where MicHELLe Obslime-a can control the curriculum...and you can bet your bottom dollar she''ll be controlling it here.
Posted by Rowdydfw at 02:15 PM : Nov 22, 2008
"Control the curriculum"? Rowdy, you are such a fool. As a proud graduate of Sidwell, I can assure you there is NO CHANCE OF THIS ! - Reply to this comment
- Posted by Rowdydfw at 02:15 PM : Nov 22, 2008
My dear, have you read your own posts? They reak of intolerance for free-thinking or different points of view, topped off with unnecessary ad hominem attacks. Where on earth did you get the idea that Sidwell indoctrinates children with socialist principles? You are so angry about this past election that it''''s clouding your judgment and inhibiting your ability to present a logical argument. I recommend you take a deep breath and count to ten before you hit "publish"; you just might stop yourself from putting your foot into your mouth again.
Posted by RationalTalk
Excellent post - wishful thinking, tho. Her hate is all she has. - Reply to this comment
- They could have protected the girls in a public school. I''m sure that it is easier in a private school.
Obama has pledged to improve schools nationwide after the neglect of the Bush administration. Let''s see what happens.
At least we have a chance now. - Reply to this comment
- She does not want her daughters exposed to free thinking beliefs...she''''ll make sure they''''re in an environment that teaches them the principles of socialism and communism, rather than the ideology that this country was founded on individual freedom and achievements. Can''''t mess up their little minds with such nonsense.
Posted by Rowdydfw at 02:15 PM : Nov 22, 2008
My dear, have you read your own posts? They reak of intolerance for free-thinking or different points of view, topped off with unnecessary ad hominem attacks. Where on earth did you get the idea that Sidwell indoctrinates children with socialist principles? You are so angry about this past election that it''s clouding your judgment and inhibiting your ability to present a logical argument. I recommend you take a deep breath and count to ten before you hit "publish"; you just might stop yourself from putting your foot into your mouth again. - Reply to this comment
- hey, think_people, Bush didn''t go to war on his own, ok. So, get off that cr*p. And I see you are resorting to that tried and true lib stand of name calling.
Listen, we have every right to voice our opinions about what the chosen one is doing. Get it?? We will risk being "joe plummered" by your side so get over it.
As for "new, change, hope". Where the he*& is it?? He sure must owe an ton of favors to his "supporters". As for the chosen one winning, thank your msm and acorn, OK?? - Reply to this comment
- Not surprised and most of all WHO CARES!!. My God, is cbs so far up this guys butt that we need a feature story on the obvious.
And just why would the kids of the potus go to a public school? Jeez, cover real news for God''s sake. Like, when he last blew his nose, stuff like that. - Reply to this comment
- jmhanly
You''re right and many people live only for the purpose of finding problems with other people :) Unfortunately, they breed. When Obama was elected, it was evident to me that he and his wife would have no choice but to send the children to a private school for the sake of security. No idea why so many people are too dumb to understand that - they simply enjoy being perverse, twisting things into a false "I told you so" about someone. - Reply to this comment
Posted by d7767w at 12:58 PM : Nov 22, 2008
You just dont get it LOL. I have only seen one post that said he should not send his private kids to school. My issue is that Obama is against school vouchers to allow parents to send their kids to the school of their choice. The public school system is a joke. It''s finished as in done!
If they were to put the issue to a vote, school vouchers would win by a land slide. I remember when I lived in the "liberal" Broward county FL area in the 90''s they did a poll on the issue and 65% were in favor of it.
Teachers unions spoke up and said they would issue court challenges if the issue ever were passed as a law. Teachers unions are HUGE democratic supporters so of course your average democrat is all for the public school system. Liberls love to use courts to block the will of the people - like the prop 8 issue in CA. Do these Tards ever give UP?
The election of a socialist will anger and energize the right (its about time lol). Some of us sat on our a$$es and thought all was ok because "our man" was in the white house. Well were going to be "in your face" the next four years till thus issue is resolved.
Afrer a host of broken promises this socialist will be gone in 2012. I pray he doesnt do too much damage until then!- Reply to this comment
- Sounds to me like the Obama''s are trying to do what is best for their daughters. Why is this a problem for some people?
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- POSTED BY "SBLAKE63"
"Obama and his kind want the rest of us to send our kids to the ''war zones'' while he bows down to teachers unions that oppose vouchers because their real reason is loss of stundents = loss of money for their pay checks."
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Hello SBLAKE63,
Seeing that you voted twice for Bush (2000 & 2004), don''t you think your words are short on credibility. I mean, how can you thrash Obama for sending ". . . kids to the war zone", when:
[1.] - Obama was not the President in 2003 who made the blundering decision to send our precious young men and women to the killing fields of Iraq when Al-Qaeda was bouncing between the borders of Pakistan and Afghanistan.
[2.] %u2013 Obama publicly stated thousands of times since before the Iraq War that this was an ill-conceived war.
And regarding the statement about bowing down to the teacher''s union. Obama hasn''t even announced his Education cabinet. Stop acting like a cry baby! He won, and your side lost.
I can''t believe people are making political judgment calls, even before Obama-Biden finish naming all their appointments. Are you aware they have 3,000 more appointments to go?
Two weeks after the election and so many Rush Limbaugh idiots are prophesizing doom-&-gloom. It is like prophesizing that a "Perfect Season" New England Patriots to beat the New York Giants in the 2008 Super Bowl, and we haven''t had the opening kickoff. Yep, that is how stupid some people sound. - Reply to this comment
- The standard of education in independent private schools far exceeds the public school standard with exception of the richly endowed personable public schools in well-to-do suburbs. The general public school standards are absolutely intolerable including much of the student body and some faculty.
The Obamas selected a school appropriate for their daughter''s learning and security. Why would any conscientious parent subject their child to a standard beneath which they are accustomed?
I for one did not; nor should they. It would be wonderful if that standard underscored the public school system-it doesn''t. The standard In DC is horrible. Please... I lived there and it''s horrible. They have nothing to prove and just for the record, when Jimmy Carter sent Amy to public school, she wasn''t permitted to play outside during recess because the Secret Service couldn''t maintain proper security for her. She had to remain inside. That was tacky! I would expect the best for the First Family. If they were my children I wouldn''t want to expose them to an environment in conducive to their wellness & I didn''t do it to my daughter! - Reply to this comment
- I hope and pray his children will be a little safer in a private school. It is difficult to believe and accept that some of the people out there among us are so sick, evil and violent.
Posted by Truthmatterz at 09:52 PM : Nov 21, 2008
Breakdown of moral values is the cause of the sick society we live in. Toss God out of the schools. Teach kids that it''s OK to abort unborn children because it''s "choice". Teach people "you dont need God, just be good"... Oh wow, that has really worked well the last 45 years hasnt it?
Obama and his kind want the rest of us to send our kids to the "war zones" while he bows down to teachers unions that oppose vouchers because their real reason is loss of stundents = loss of money for their pay checks.
The teachers''s union NEA''s symbol is an "apple" to drum up mental images of warm relationships where sweet happy kids still attend public schools and bring "gifts and praise" for the "heroic" public school teacher who is going above and beyond the call to teach our kids - GIVE ME A BREAK LMAO!
Public education is a joke! - Reply to this comment
- Richard Nixon''s daughters also attended Sidwell while he was President, so it''s not really a party issue. I do think people should look at Sidwell''s website before condemning the school as elitist.
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Why on earth wouls anyone think that the Obama children can be safe in the public schools anywhere. The most high profile children in the US can''''t possibly get the kind of security needed for their safety and wellbeing. Hooray, for the Obama''''s for putting their children above the politics of simple minded mean-spirited people.
Posted by SEASAW2 at 08:36 AM :
YOU and other STUPID obama disciples make me laugh.
1. From story:
"Lelyveld said that while public schools were considered, the Obamas felt that a private school was in the best interest" -
so apparently the obama''s themselves also have
a small mind to consider public schools.
2. "Sidwell is a private Quaker school . .
. . . "Mrs. Obama is the product of public education.
. . .The Obama administration intends to work closely
with the school systems in the years to come to ensure quality public education is available to all kids."
translation: "Good luck suckers"- Reply to this comment
- The entire WORLD knows who these girls are. That presents a very unique and DANGEROUS situation for them. The Obamas weren''''t making some sort of a political statement; they made a choice based on the needs of their very high-profile children. Every psycho in the world knows these two little ones, and I''''m sure they know them VERY well. Gives me the shivers to even think about it.
Posted by miriambk at 11:22 PM : Nov 21, 2008
Not to mention the danger to others that could happen should any inappropriate action be attempted. The larger and more open the environment the more potential for additional injuries. Heaven forbid that this should ever occur. - Reply to this comment
- I''m continually amazed with how small minds can continue to get smaller. Why on earth wouls anyone think that the Obama children can be safe in the public schools anywhere. The most high profile children in the US can''t possibly get the kind of security needed for their safety and wellbeing. Hooray, for the Obama''s for putting their children above the politics of simple minded mean-spirited people.
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