How many kids can say they’re pen pals with the Leader of the Free World?
The students in teacher Marcie Bensman’s first-grade class at Leonard Elementary can make that claim.
Back in November 2004 as part of a class project, Bensman’s students wrote and mailed letters to U.S. President George W. Bush giving him their ideas and suggestions as to how they can help ‘make America great.?
Students were inspired by the children’s book ‘Arthur Meets the President? by Marc Brown.
In the story, the title character Arthur writes a winning essay entitled ‘How I Can Help Make America Great? and travels to Washington D.C. to recite it in person for the president.
Bensman’s first-graders wrote letters to President Bush each beginning with the line ‘I can make America great by…?
Students? ideas varied from helping clean public parks and helping old ladies cross the street to building robots and donating money to charities.
Helping other people be they young, old, poor or with special needs was the dominant theme among the majority of the students? suggestions.
The letters were mailed right before the presidential election and Bensman said she wasn’t sure if they would get a response given the timing.
Months passed until finally an official envelope arrived from the White House on Jan. 12.
Inside was a personal letter from President Bush dated January 4, 2005.
It read:
‘Dear Students,
‘Thank you for sending me your project. I always enjoy hearing from young Americans.
‘I appreciate your creativity and imagination and hope you will continue to take advantage of opportunities to discover new ideas and develop your talents. I also encourage you to study hard in school, listen to your parents and teachers, and help those in need. Through your kindness to others and dedication to your schoolwork, you can reach your full potential and help stengthen our country.
‘Mrs. Bush joins me in sending our best wishes.
‘Sincerely,
George W. Bush.?
‘The kids were very excited about it,? said Bensman. ‘It made them feel like something they had done was important enough to be acknowledged.?
‘I was glad they got that letter back.?