The students at Sojourner Truth Academy (STA) elementary school in North Minneapolis are transforming their daily lunchtime experience through a program called, "Bring the White House to Our House!" The program is centered on the idea that eating lunch at Sojourner Truth Academy is like dining at the White House.
The basement cafeteria has been transformed into a White House-esque "Banquet Hall" where students are learning about manners and participating in local and national government through a school wide letter campaign to invite President Obama to have lunch in the Sojourner Truth Academy Banquet Hall. And all this is taking place during lunch! "Bring the White House to Our House!" brings structure to lunchtime, learning to the "Banquet Hall," and unites the students around a common goal: to host a lunch for President Barack Obama at Sojourner Truth Academy.
Lunch program director, Mary-Eileen Gallagher, Lutheran Volunteer Corps /Americorps Fellow, affectionately called Ms. G., is amazed by what she sees happening in the Banquet Hall. "What excites me the most is that our students are writing with passion and purpose, and they look forward to doing it! The practice they are gaining is invaluable. Every day our school writes 40-80 letters to President Obama. It's extraordinary!"
During their lunch period, students are participating in mini-manners lessons such as, "Say YES the First Time, Not the Last Time" and "The Pen is Mightier Than the Sword," which they review and practice throughout the week. When they finish eating they write letters to President Obama. Students are writing about issues that are important to them—family life, immigration, gang violence, lunch food, self-improvement, and the war in Iraq. They are inquiring about life in the White House, presidential duties, and the lives of Malia and Sasha Obama. Ultimately, the letters all end with the same desire: "President Obama, will you please come to lunch at our school?"
"Two weeks ago, we received mail from The White House! Five packages arrived with letters and pictures from President Obama,” said Gallagher.
In addition to writing letters to President Obama, the students are writing to U.S. Senators and Representatives, State Senators and Representatives, the Mayor, City Council Members, and are inviting them to lunch. Last Wednesday, 25 students had lunch at City Hall and met Mayor Rybak, and invited him to have lunch with us at STA. On March 9th, City Council President Barbara Johnson will have lunch with the 5th and 6th graders; and on March 25th City Council Member Don Samuels will be the lunch guest. Still in the works, said Gallagher, is a visit from an NBA player, and members of Minnesota’s congressional delegation..
"I started this program because I believe culture is created and community is built around meal sharing, and I wanted to make lunchtime at our school a safe and fun experience for all of our students. I believe that all children deserve the opportunity to fulfill their highest potential, and I am so proud of the hard work and dedication of our students. They are smart, kind, and resilient, and are the pioneers of this lunch program, living every day knowing that anything is possible.
"We are taking students to the White House on April 23-25 to deliver a special lunch invitation from our school to President Obama. This trip is what our students are working for! Each time they write a letter, they receive a "Ticket to the White House." A drawing at the end of March will determine which students will travel to Washington, D.C. Currently, we are fundraising to send 10 students and five chaperones to Washington D.C. on April 23-25,” said Gallagher
To follow the school’s progress and to learn more about the project, visit www.whitehouse2ourhouse.org
To donate to STA's fundraising efforts for the trip, visit http://givemn.razoo.com/story/Bring-The-White-House-To-Our-House
