President Joe Biden Corresponds with First Grade Class (Updated)

It’s not every day that a person receives a letter from the sitting President of the United States, but on Tuesday, June 8, 2021, the twelve first graders in Mrs. Leanne Isabella’s classroom at Sheehan School in Westwood received just such a letter.

The group described their individual reactions to learning that President Joe Biden had sent them a letter. (Editor’s note: Names of some children have been omitted per online privacy preferences).

“Excited!” said four students.

"Very, very happy” said one, and "happy," said another three children.

“Surprised,” said one boy.

“Proud,” said Mrs. Isabella.

“When I told my family, [their jaws dropped]” said Matthew Sears, finishing his sentence with his own dropped jaw to demonstrate his family’s reaction.

The President’s letter was a response to the class’s Inauguration Day project of writing letters to the incoming president. The individual letters contained different messages, including questions such as whether the President would enjoy living in the White House, how he will help the country, and if he will stop war, said Mrs. Isabella. The class did not take any official vote of their own, she said, but they discussed the meaning of Inauguration Day.

As for what the class hopes this president will accomplish during his time in office, here’s what they had to say:

“Making things fair.” – Thevan Samarakoon

“Make things fair between black and white people.” – Amelia Golloshi

“He has to stop war.” – Mia Xanthopoulos

“Making more electric cars. It helps with pollution.”

“Instead of throwing things away, maybe burn them in fire [for less trash].” – Aubrey Farquharson

“There needs to be fair education between people. . . .Give everyone a good education.” – Emmie Redmond

“Stopping litter and stop cutting down trees and help the habitat. Less landfills.”

“Use less electricity. It keeps the earth healthy.” – Sofia Montero-Jones

In President Biden's letter responding to the class, he thanked the students for writing to him and asked for their help “to set aside our differences and come together as a Nation,” in order to “create positive change.”

The first graders gave their interpretations of what the president meant by asking people to set aside their differences.

“Don’t fight about things. Set aside things people don’t like and come together as one.” – Thevan Samarakoon

“Don’t judge people by their color.”

“It doesn’t matter what you look like. You can still be friends.” – Aubrey Farquharson

“Work as a team.”

“Be kind.” – Matthew Schmidt

“If someone is Asian and you’re American, don’t use that to treat them differently.”

“Be respectful.” – Matthew Sears

“You can be friends. It doesn’t matter what you like or don’t like. All people should work as one.”

“Treat people [as] who they are.” – Mia Xanthopoulos

Mrs. Isabella also reminded the class of a book they have read together with a few core lessons that would seem to apply here. Be the best you can be. Respect other people. Know where to speak up and when to listen. Work as a team.

President Biden’s letter continued with some advice. “Even at your young ages, you have the power to impact the future for generations to come,” he wrote. “Throughout your lives, remain curious, creative and fearless. These traits will serve you well and allow you to experience the best life has to offer.”

It didn't seem to bother the students that it took President Biden four months to respond to their letters. With a pandemic on his hands, a little delay from the Chief Executive may be understandable.

The President’s closing thought to the students was, aptly, Sheehan School’s own motto, “[B]e kind.”

Thanks to Principal Kristen Evans and thanks to Mrs. Leanne Isabella and her first grade class for being interviewed for this story. If you enjoyed this article, please consider supporting local journalism by subscribing to Westwood Minute's daily email newsletter. It's free! Just click the blue "Sign Up" button below.

Updated with student names on June 15, 2021 at 11:30 a.m.