Inauguration Letters - Feature
ECS, Faces of the J, News

President Responds to Inauguration Letters

Original Post: Jan 21, 2021; Updated: June 9, 2021

During the week of Joe Biden’s inauguration as 46th President of the United States, members of Ms. Schuman’s kindergarten class at the J’s Early Childhood School fully embraced the historic week and learned about the inauguration. As part of their class they wrote notes to send to the White House.

And he wrote back!

They received a response from President Biden (view PDF of the letter*), thanking them for their questions, reminding them to stay thoughtful and curious, and asking for their help to create positive change. We think our littlest Mercer Islanders are up to the task! Check out the article in the Mercer Island Reporter.

The letter (click to enlarge):

Biden Letter

Here is what some of the class members had to say about getting a letter from the President:

Here were the kids responses:

Emet, age 6 – “I was so excited that I wished I was home so I could tell my mom, my dad, my sister and my dog. I was so happy while we were reading it. He said even though we’re little, we can change things to make them good, even at our young ages.”

Jack, age 6 – “I was thinking that I might get to visit the White House. I think there might be very expensive things at the White House.”

Maverick, age 6 – “I felt excited because it was a letter from the president! You don’t ever get to see letters that the president writes, so it felt special. I’m on the news!”

Lainie, age 6 – “I was very excited and I couldn’t really believe our letter could be on the news. It was really crazy. I didn’t that would actually happen, but, here we are!”

Henry, age 6 – “I felt surprised because we received a letter from Joe Biden himself! I felt kind of like I would be on the news maybe, but probably not.”

Eliza, age 6 – “I was like, wow, I really didn’t know that was going to happen. I was just so surprised. I thought it was nice of him to tell us that one day we might be president.”

Lily, age 5 – “I was really really really happy because I like Joe Biden.”

Eric, age 6 – “I felt surprised because I didn’t know if he would send it. The good part was about the power to change the future. That was the good advice.”

Bailey, age 5– “I was excited!”

Daniel, age 5 – “I felt happy because it was a nice letter.”

The original letters they wrote… enjoy. (Click image to view larger file)

Letter to the President
“Dear Mr. President and Mrs. Harris – Have a nice time at the White House. I love you.”
Letter to the President
“Dear Mr. President. Dear VP Harris. I hope you have a good time at the White House.”
Letter to the President
“Dear Mr. President. Dear VP Harris – I hope that you put the virus away. I love you…”
Letter to the President
“Dear Mr. President – I love you and great job!” (Under drawing: “We are riding on a dragon.”)
Letter to the President
“Dear Mr. President – I love you. We are giving you cards.”
Letter to the President
“Dear Mr. President – I wish you a good time at the White House.”
Letter to the President
“Dear Mr. President – Does the White House look different? And I want you to be the best president yet!”
Letter to the President
“Dear Mr. President – Congratulations Joe Biden and Kamala Harris!”
Letter to the President
“Dear Mr. President and VP Harris – Congratulations on your first day in the White House.”
Letter to the President
“Dear Mr. President – I am so excited that you are president. Dear VP Harris. I am so excited you are VP.”
Letter to the President
“Dear Mr. President. Dear VP Harris – Does the White House seem new?”

Learn more about the J’s ECS and our kindergarten program here.

*Even the greatest of us make mistakes – the letter was addressed incorrectly when it arrived and has been updated with Ms. Schuman’s class information.