January 20, 2009 (comments around RDS the day after)

January 23, 2009

January 20, 2009
(Comments around RDS the Day After)

I felt really excited when the man (Supreme Court Justice Roberts) said “Mr. President.” He did it, he did it! I don't just speak for myself when I say that it made everyone feel really happy.
—5th grade

There is a president who looks like me!
—K

It's the first inauguration I've ever watched.
—6th grade

I liked that in his speech that President Obama said "all the people" instead of "all men" when he was talking about Martin Luther King's speech.
—3rd grade

It was a big step up. There are arguments that there is still a lot of racism in America. But today many people came together to go in the same direction.
—6th grade

I hope that people can marry whoever they want.
—K

It was a very exciting day because he is the first African American president.
—5th grade

I liked seeing all the presidents there.
—3rd grade

I saw Jan's son sing! (Brandon Johnson, who is in 7th grade, sang with the SF Boys Chorus. RDS 7th grader Devi Panagos also sang as part of the SF Boys & Girls Choruses.)
—1st grade

He seems honest, and that means he will tell people how things really are, even if it’s ugly or unpleasant
—7th grade

I hope he will give to and help those of us who are less fortunate. I hope America can become a leader and friend to all countries - except the unjust.
—7th grade

I felt really amazed that our first black president is here and that we could have change in America.
—5th grade

It was very historical and inspiring.
—8th grade

I hope he helps the banks to have money for everyone.
—K

I thought I'd be bored but I wasn't. The speech caught my interest.
—6th grade

I hope that people don’t fight anymore.
—K

I liked that lady who sang. (Aretha Franklin)
—1st grade

Such a great speaker!
—7th grade

Part of Martin Luther King’s dream came true because he talked about whites and blacks singing together and they did.
—6th grade

The speech rang true to his promises of hope and change.
—8th grade

I liked the rhymes Rev. Joseph Lowery made.
—6th grade
(“Help us work for that day when black will not be asked to give back, when brown can stick around, when yellow will be mellow, when the red man can get ahead, man, and when white will embrace what is right.")

I hope that President Obama works us out of the recession.
—7th grade

He is our 1st black president so he made history.
—8th grade

I was really excited that Barack Obama was going to be president and it was cool to get to school at 7am and watch it on a big screen.
—5th grade

The speech was inspirational.
—5th grade

How much will he change the world? I think he really will.
—5th grade

I'll always know where I was when I was 14 and we elected the first African-American president. That's really cool.
—7th grade

It was amazing. It showed change in our nation and how everyone can come together to make a big difference. I liked watching it at school because it felt united watching with my friends.
—8th grade

And a new tradition every four years, watching and discussing the Presidential Inauguration (no matter the political party) was started at RDS.

Have a great weekend.

Mike