New York school changes name to Barack Obama Elementary
Not so Barack Obama.
In what appears to be a national first, the school board in Hempstead, N.Y., has voted unanimously to change the name of its 460-student Ludlum Elementary School to Barack Obama Elementary School.
Officials hope to hold a name-changing ceremony shortly after the new year begins. Such quick action could put the 47-year-old president-elect's name on a public institution even before his inauguration Jan. 20. "I think we were still caught up in the moment," principal Jean Bligen said.
Like many across Long Island, Hempstead students followed the campaign closely. Students at the former Ludlum School held a mock debate, and a straw ballot there in grades 3-5 produced 257 votes for Obama, 28 for opponent Sen. John McCain.
The school's enrollment is 62 percent Hispanic and 36 percent African-American. Several students come from Africa, and many more come from El Salvador, Guatemala, Ecuador and Puerto Rico.
Clear Stream Avenue School in Valley Stream will also consider a renaming resolution next month, The Associated Press reported.
Eileen Garbe, who teaches fifth grade at the former Ludlum School, said the election provided a "monumental" opportunity to bring history alive for students. She plans to retire in about a year and a half after 20 years of teaching. "Isn't this a wonderful way to go out?" she said.
A photo of Obama already hangs in the school's office. Coincidentally, since September the school has been sending hundreds of books to an orphanage in Kenya, the home of Obama's late father, even before the idea of a name change took hold.
The idea began to jell after another fifth-grade teacher asked students Jalani Johnson and Samantha Alburez, both 10, to write essays on why their school should be named for Obama.
Interim Superintendent Joseph Laria praised both students and adults for urging the name change at the Thursday school board meeting. The board's vote was 5-0.
As he voted, board president Charles Renfroe thought of his own fifth-grade teacher, Artiebelle Lowe, who worked in a segregated, two-room schoolhouse in rural Alabama.
Recent comments
that's all I can say.
oh brother! | Nov. 23, 2008 at 3:19 p.m.
- 4A: Timpview wins 4th in 4 years 4:30 a.m.
- 3A: Juan Diego 12, Hurricane 10 4:18 a.m.
- 3A: Juan Diego vs. Hurricane 4:17 a.m.
- TCU still has a chance 2:04 a.m.
- Unranked Orange move to 4-0 1:52 a.m.
- Cougars cruise to victory in Hawaii 1:38 a.m.
- 5A: Bingham vs Davis 1:32 a.m.
- 5A: Bingham 35, Davis 24 1:30 a.m.
- 5A: Darts impress in title loss 1:13 a.m.
- 5A: Miners' Cantwell makes name 1:11 a.m.
- Mailman's nomination delivered
- Jazz finally win in San Antonio
- U. professor dies after fall from bus
- 'New Moon' rising: Vamps vs. 'wolves
- 4A: Timpview wins 4th in 4 years
- Archuleta still calls Utah home
- Unga's status 'a game-time decision'
- Officer cleared in Cardall Taser case
- Horrifying scenario described
- 'New Moon' doesn't rise to occasion
- Buttars wants to limit gay rights laws
182 - Palin plans tour stop in Utah
167 - BYU, Utah struck gold in coaches
123 - Lies shatter Utah family
122 - Palin's book shows she's unqualified
105 - Officer cleared in Cardall Taser case
96 - Jazz finally win in San Antonio
95 - BYU cuts Women's Research Inst.
95 - Utes knock off rival Aggies
92 - Huntsman pleased with Obama
84
I don't pretend to be an expert on global warming. I've met with...
so proud of you H town boys. we cant ask for better. as for not being back...
Great pictures! I was there and got some pretty good ones, but the your...
Part of the point of saying "gosh" is to avoid vain repetition of the name of...
A well deserved accomplishment for a terrific coach. And doing it in...
The hour is late and I'm not very bright, but I don't understand your post at...
I thought the Aggies were in the game until the end of the 2nd quarter. A...
Sorry to break the news to you, but Boise State really is not that good....
UH guard Hiram Thompson is LDS and an RM and the older brother of freshman...
as bland as wonder bread.
I agree totally with you. I've had some time in the strips and when i was at...

