No way a child is writing these wihout help....come on AC print the real ones !!!!
EDITOR'S NOTE: The Augusta Chronicle invited students to write letters to President-elect Obama detailing what they would like him to do as president. The newspaper received more than 400 entries. Selected letters are being printed in The Chronicle and posted online at augustachronicle.com/president.
Grand-prize winners in the elementary, middle and high school divisions will be published the week of Mr. Obama's inauguration. After his installation as the 44th president of the United States, the letters will be mailed to the White House.
Dear Mr. President,
As new president, I'm sure your very busy meeting people, especially presidents or other leaders from different countries. Don't forget about all your big promises! You still need to think about running our plants and factories on clean fuel, which when finished turns into clean air, but that's not what is so important.
What is important is peace with other countries. What I'm talking about is making peace with Afghanistan, Iran and Iraq. It would make America look bold and strong, staying free and proud of it! It might polish up our bad times in history.
If we do not try to end the war, it could go on and on like the fight since Biblical times. Please Mr. President, make sure we are peaceful.
Abby McDonald
Fifth-grader, Sandersville Elementary School, Sandersville, Ga.
Dear President-elect Obama,
Watching your campaign, I truly believed you could bring change to our nation. I was so glad when you won because I felt a new era coming. But now you have to take action on the promises you made me and the rest of America.
You must unify the nation. Bring people of all different races and cultures together. Not only different minorities, but the people and its government ...
Remind the American people what it takes to be a great nation. Many Americans are not really in touch with their country they just think of it as a place to live in, but that's it. You have to show them that to be a great country you have to believe in every motto written, get involved in the community, support out troops and give time to make this country better.
To be a great president, you have to talk but also listen. Speak but also hear. Tell us what we have to do but also listen to us about what you should do. You need our support just like we need yours ...
Everyone knows our economy is in grave danger. As president, you will need to stop the cycle of debt, rebuild our country's infrastructure from relying on oil, and continue to improve our schools. Establish universal health care and raise the minimum wage. Americans are suffering and need you to help us out of this recession.
We need you now more than ever.
Running a country isn't easy, but we think you are capable, otherwise half the country wouldn't have voted for you. You are America's backbone... Please change Washington for the better.
Sincerely with love,
Janise Brown
Eighth-grader, Tutt Middle School,
Augusta
Comments
No way a child is writing these wihout help....come on AC print the real ones !!!!
Have faith in the intellect and abilities of the authors of these letters. My English students participated in this contest. I can assure you they wrote these letters independently. They wrote them in my classroom with no help. My students are very bright young people. I am proud to say that one of my elementary students has been published in today's paper. Children today are fully aware of issues facing our nation. Let's give credit where credit is due. I applaud all of those who submitted letters!
i don't believe a child wrote any of this either all by themselfs without the help of a parent!! not to say the kids are'nt capable, but these two letteres just don't sound like something a elem,or middle school student wrote on their own!!! if they did it's good they watch and keep up with world news!!!
I agree.. education isn't that great here!!
Everyone who commented about parental influence on the writers is 100% correct. My boys are 9/10yrs old in 4/5th grade and we have conversations on a weekly basis about how gas & food prices affect my ability to take them to more weekend activities; how the declining economy affects their friends' parents who now don't have jobs. They hear kids on the bus saying they heard their parents talking about loosing their homes. These kids know they're not writing letters to Santa, they study history and know what the position of president means in terms of political power to make changes. IDK what you were taught in GA schools but in VA we watched the election coverage regularly in 3-5th grade and held mock debates so don't underestimate what local schools and intelligent parents are teaching their young kids at home. Unless you have school age kids yourselves and know what's being taught in their schools you really can't comment. If you do have kids in CSRA schools and are surprised at these letters then that speaks volumes of your involvement in their education as their parents. These conditions are perfect for teaching your kids about politics and economics. Shame on you if you dont.
All of you downing these children should be SLAPPED!! My daughter goes to Lewiston and is in the 5th grade...she also had to write a letter to Mr. Obama...and did so WITHOUT MY HELP. I only proof read the letter after it was written. It was a well written as many of these. You who don't believe that these children can write these are ignorant! Children are much smarter then you are giving them credit for. Back off! Give these children some credit and quit hating that they are more informed and smarter then some of YOU!
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