Bidens Open Their Home to DCPS Students for Holiday Celebration

December 3, 2010

Bidens Open Their Home to DCPS Students for Holiday Celebration | Photo by Fred Lewis

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A soft-spoken fifth grader from Emery Education Campus, Damiek Roberts had a few things to say on the ride across town to Vice President Joe Biden’s house Wednesday morning.

He talked a little about football (he’s a Falcons fan but prefers college teams) and a bit about school (he wants to be a spy or a videogame designer and wanted to know what school he should attend to reach his goal).

But a lot of the conversation centered on the Bidens and anticipation of the imminent visit to the Vice Presidential Mansion at Number One Observatory Circle Northwest for an afternoon of decorating holiday cookies, crafting ornaments for the Bidens’ Christmas tree, and writing letters to US military overseas.

“I think it’s going to be good and not boring,” said the bright-eyed 10-year-old. “I hope we get really great facts about the vice president, learn about history, bake Christmas cookies and eat them. I hope we get to see great things, and I hope to see a picture of [Vice President Biden] and [President] Obama, and get a souvenir to take home.”

For about two hours, students from Emery EC and Smothers and Orr elementary schools joined Dr. Jill Biden, the vice president’s wife, and more than a dozen students from other schools in the District for a heartwarming holiday celebration.

“One of the things I love about being the vice president’s wife is inviting people to our home and school children were our very first holiday guests,” said Dr. Biden, who has spent her professional career as a teacher.

Dr. Biden gave a brief overview of the history of the Vice Presidential Mansion and talked about life at One Observatory Circle. She then invited students to ask questions before the children split into groups to participate in a variety of holiday activities.

Michelle Edwards, principal of Orr Elementary, said students were thrilled by the experience.

“Our school is in Southeast in Anacostia, a very deprived area. This is an opportunity to see this part of the city and where the vice president lives,” said Edwards, who brought her school’s GeoPlunge team on the visit.

“On the way here, it was like a field trip with kids asking questions about the monuments we saw along the way,” she added. “It’s really exciting for them to feel special and be treated well – it’s also good practice for letter writing.”

Dr. Biden went from room to room on the first floor of the stately mansion meeting with children as they decorated ornaments, piled icing on holiday cookies and wrote special messages to the military.

“They’re in the hub of power,” Edwards said. “But it’s important for them to know that the vice president and Dr. Biden are real people who care about them and this opens their eyes to the possibilities: These are normal people who rose to power.”

Shannon Feinblatt, principal at Smothers Elementary, said the visit provided a perfect opportunity for lessons on civics, history, the sacrifices of our military and etiquette in social situations.

“I am a principal who thrives on providing real-life experiences,” she said. “This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to be close to history.”

Mrs. Casey, wife of U.S. Army Chief of Staff Gen. George W. Casey, said Washington, D.C., is a unique city that provides a range of opportunities for students to learn.

“I know a lot of people who bring their kids in from other parts of the country, and they are amazed about what this city has to offer, but also what it represents,” Mrs. Casey said. “They leave here with a greater wealth of knowledge of their country.”

For some of the students, however, the event – complete with a 12-foot-tall Christmas tree, Marine Corps carolers and hot chocolate with whipped cream – was a bit overwhelming.

“I was really excited. When I came here, I didn’t know how big the house would be,” said Jada Jackson, 9, a fourth grader at Orr Elementary.

“I was excited about seeing the vice president, but he had to work today,” said Roman Bennett, 11, a fifth grader at Orr. “But we got hot chocolate and cookies, so that’s good enough.”

As for Damiek Roberts, he walked away with the souvenir he was looking for: a stuffed animal dog that was presented to each student and a bag full of cookies. But he also left something behind: well-wishes for our troops.

“I said, ‘Hello, my name is Damiek Roberts, I’m 10 years old and I’m thankful for all the people in the service who are taking care of my country and taking care of my city.”

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