(CNN) - Students at former Ludlum Elementary School made history when their school became the first in the nation to be renamed after President Barack Obama. It’s virtually unheard of to name an educational institution after a sitting president. Students and parents gathered for the official name change ceremony Wednesday morning where the “Barack Obama Elementary School” sign was unveiled.
During the campaign season, the children became interested in the election, participating in mock presidential debates at the Long Island elementary school - which sits in close proximity to Hofstra University, the site of the final presidential debate.
They began the movement to officially change their school’s name to honor the 44th president. Following the election, the Hempstead School Board voted unanimously to adopt the resolution after students read their written requests to make the name change permanent.
After the inauguration, all 466 students received navy sweatshirts from the school with the words “Yes We Can” emblazoned in English and Spanish. The school is roughly 60 percent Hispanic and 40 percent African-American.
President Obama was invited to the ceremony, but was unable to attend.
From CNN Politics
© 2012 Cable News Network. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
| Advertising practices | Advertise with us | About us | Work for us | Help | CNN Newsource | License Footage
they named the airport here in Houston after George Bush number 41 so I guess that old saying about the person has to be dead to have something named for them is from being true.
SEems pretty crazy to name something after a man who hasn't proved himself yet! just saying....
I think it's very cool that elementary school kids had the opportunity to be involved and become interested in politics! You can tell that they feel empowered. Hopefully they will continue to be interested in being involved in politics through out their life times...which ever party they decide to support as they grow up!
freakin' ridiculous! that's all i have to say.
What's next??????????????????
He does not walk on water ,,, for christ sake's...
Thats what I named my toilette........
talk about beginning the brainwashing.
Both sides need to give the man at least 100 days before canonizing or crucifying him. This is so freakin' absurd.
uh... why don't they wait until he's at least out of office? I mean, what if he turns out to be really unpopular during his term?
Ask yourself this... would you want to go to a George H W Bush elementary school? You can laugh, but if i recall correctly, he was pretty popular in the beginning of his presidency. The only difference is people weren't crazy enough to name a school after a sitting president.
I think the whole thing is gimmicky and dumb, but whatever.
Stuff it GOPers. It's an elementary school. Who cares what it's named as long as it's doing a good job of educating those kids. Jerks.
Hey, Once apon a horse,
We have a tollroad (how appropriate is THAT?) named after 41 as well! My suburb voted against naming it that, but it was shoved down our throats. Ironically, for 43 to get most anywhere in North Dallas, he has to get on the road named for his father!
get ready, this is just the beginning!!!
The messiah worship reaches another level...
WONDERFUL.
Sure glad my tax $$ aren't going to that district, this is total B.S. The kids decided??? Get real! I wonder who all the teachers voted for, how they taught the kids not to be partisan. If President Obama does an outstanding job, when he his done being president I could understand, but not now.
What's with telling us the 60/40 part?? White people won't want a school named after him??
get used to it haters!
Stupid
The kids asked for this. Good for them!
The first socialist school in the new Socialist Society of Amerika!! its begun...
This is really stupid. And this is coming from an ardent Obama supporter from the start.
Is there anything named after "W"?
Seems a little early, after just 2 weeks in office. Good to see excitement and interest from kids though, and hopefully Obama will be a great president and live up to the honor!
For the first time in MY adult life, I am REALLY proud of my country.
Who'd have thunk it? All you gotta do these days to have a school named after you is win an election- whether or not you're a total failure or not is beside the point.
Absolutely ridiculous, this man has done NOTHING but appoint people who don't pay their taxes, then stand's behind them. This man is nothing more than a crook and anyone who can't see that is truly lost, I'm not saying republicans are much better, but this guy is the absolute pits and the sooner people realize that, the better off this country will be.