Students called back to school for Obama visit
(CNN) – When President Barack Obama visits College Heights Early Childhood Learning Center on Thursday, it will look like a normal school day: busses will be running, the cafeteria will be serving lunch, and kids will attend classes.
But what looks like business-as-usual at the Decatur, Georgia, school will be anything but – students there are actually on winter break this week. Parents were emailed on Monday offering a "one-day experience" Thursday that would mimic a school day to coincide with the president's visit.
"This day would resemble a normal school day: same bus routes and times, same school beginning and end times, regular instructional day with the same staff, and breakfast and lunch offerings," the school's principal Suzanne Kennedy wrote. "President Obama's visit promises to be an amazing opportunity for our students to expand their worlds and for Decatur to celebrate its exemplary teaching and learning."
The White House did not immediately response to an inquiry for explanation of the timing of Thursday's visit.
Obama's visit to the school outside Atlanta is expected to highlight the education proposals he spelled out in his State of the Union on Tuesday. In that speech, Obama called for investments in high-quality early childhood education programs, saying making the commitment early saves money later for local governments, and boosts graduation rates.
He also spotlighted studies showing kids who attend preschool have lower teen pregnancy rates and are less prone to engage in violence crime.
"Let's do what works, and make sure none of our children start the race of life already behind. Let's give our kids that chance," Obama said.
On Wednesday Obama sought to rally support for the jobs agenda laid out in Tuesday's speech with a trip to Asheville, North Carolina, where he toured an auto parts plant. And on Friday, he'll head to Chicago, where he'll speak about the economy and also touch on the city's rampant gun violence.
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This nation needs to focus on Job-Training and manufacturing here at home. Sears is sending all the jobs to overseas. Watch out.
Is the a fire-drill???
I wish I had had an opportunity to meet a sitting president when I was a child in school. These kids are so lucky.
Obama stages everything he does. None of it is real.
You've got to be kidding. A fake school day for an Obama photo-op. Bringing everyone in from their break? This the only successfull school following Obama's plan?
Day off recalled for him go pound sand did he recall to washington duuring the bengazi attack? i hope the parents keep their kids at home for their winter break
No surprise in this abuse of power to stage a dog and pony show.
The Republican kids are not happy. School AND Obama?!?!
Always about Obama doesn't care about anybody but himself.
Maybe he should stay in DC for a few days, visit the Oval Office (if he remembers where it's located) and do some work. He does work for us, doesn't he? All he's done in 5 years is to continue his campaign, usually blaming something on someone else. Did anyone tell him how much it cost for him to fly around on AF1 every day? He must have something he could work on.
"The White House did not immediately response to an inquiry for explanation of the timing of Thursday's visit."
I would assume that is supposed to say, "The White House did not immediately respond..."
Another photo op! This President is such a phony. Another thing that makes me laugh is that Chicago has one of the strictest gun laws in America. Why would the President have to speak behind bullet proof glass as he did in Carolina yesterday. I would think the President would feel safe in Chicago!
Just like the rest of this guy, all flash no substance.
Go Team obama!!!! Schedule a multimillion dollar campaign photo op when the kids are on winter break! Genius! Pure unadulterated genius!!!
What a complete WASTE of tax dollars
Maybe he should propose that children be removed from low income and single parent homes and be raised in a Gubmint program funded by the 1%.
The show must go on! Give me a break.
Who is paying for this “one-day experience”? Busses, teachers, food service, that's a lot of money that schools can't afford for dog and pony show like this.
My son's elementary school had their spring fair day on the first day of spring break last year. They also took a field trip on a Saturday and Sunday to DC.....
Clinton visited my daughter's school years ago for a public town hall on a Saturday. The school choir got together and sang before he spoke.
How is this any different again?