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Conway kindergartners disappointed after late arrival nixes White House tour.
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Date published: 5/22/2009
Time and traffic conspired to keep Stafford County school kids out of the White House Thursday.
In a situation most local commuters can relate to, kindergartners from Conway Elementary School were shut out of a scheduled White House tour when they showed up late. Parent and chaperone Paty Stine said buses left Conway Elementary at 8:30 a.m. She said they were supposed to arrive at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. between 10 and 10:15 a.m. “Unfortunately, we ran into heavier than normal traffic,” she said. When they arrived at 10:25 a.m., the gates were closed, with the kids on the outside looking in. “I just think the White House should have made a little bit of leeway time,” Stine said. “The kids knew what they were going to see, and they were thoroughly disappointed. Kids were crying, teachers were crying.” A White House spokeswoman said yesterday morning that the field trip tour was scheduled for 9:30 a.m., and the gates are typically closed for tours at 10 a.m. The spokeswoman noted that tour groups are required to arrive on time due to the tight schedules of White House operations, but an exception was made for the Conway students and the gates were held open until 10:35 a.m. While the students were not scheduled to meet with President Barack Obama, he was at home, and later met with the Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers football team. The traditional exchange between president and winning team had a Memorial Day bent. Players and politicians—including Senators Arlen Specter and Bob Casey—assembled care packages for troops overseas. Stine doesn’t hold it against the Steelers. “I’m sure they didn’t know anything about us,” she said. “I blame the administration. They made the decision to keep Stafford County kids out to prepare a luncheon for a bunch of millionaires.” Stine said the kids took a walk around the outside of the White House, then visited the Lincoln Memorial. It was a trip that cost each student and chaperone $20. Stine does not see how the situation can be rectified—the money was spent and there are not many days left in the school year to reschedule. “The visitors center has put the school at the top of the list for rescheduling as soon as possible and has already been in touch with the school,” the White House spokeswoman said. School officials confirmed that the White House is helping to reschedule, and has been “extremely supportive of the Conway Cougars visit.” In a statement, Conway staff acknowledged that they knew a late arrival would cost them a chance to tour the White House. It also stated that White House staff made every effort to accommodate the visit and extend the arrival time. Conway Principal Roxie Cooper said students and teachers took the situation in stride, making adjustments to their schedule and inserting a lesson in handling life’s disappointments. “We commend our kindergarten students and the many chaperones who showed resilience and positive attitudes,” Cooper said in the statement.
Read more stories about Stafford Date published: 5/22/2009
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