WASHINGTON, DC – Christmas came early to students and staff attending a southeast Washington, D.C., elementary school. However, it wasn’t Santa Claus delivering joy and lots of good cheer to the school. It was former first lady Michelle Obama.
She recently visited Randle Highlands Elementary School, where she surprised teachers and students with desktop computers, laptops, iPads and $100,000. Her visit and gifts were all part of a holiday-themed TV special hosted by Ellen DeGeneres called “Ellen’s Greatest Night of Giveaways.”
“We hope that this will make sure that you (the teachers) won’t have to go into your pockets any longer for these kids, because we know how amazing you guys are,” the former first lady told the faculty during the TV segment, which aired Tuesday.
According to the school’s principal, Kristie Edwards, many of the students attending the school come from rough upbringings. Sixty-five percent of their students are in the foster care system or are homeless.
“We serve about 350 students here who all receive free lunch, and everything is about how we can make things better for our students,” Edwards said during the segment. “Oftentimes, our students may not have clean clothes to wear, so we have a washer and dryer downstairs so that when our students come in they have clean clothes every single day.”
Many of the school’s teachers often dip into their own pockets to buy their students pencils, papers, bookbags and even groceries. However, they do it with a smile, Edwards said.
“I feel like the work that we’re doing here at Randle, we’re just dedicated to making sure they (the students) know how important they are,” one teacher said. “We want them to feel that where they are doesn’t determine who they are.”
While these students may not have the most expensive clothes, a stable home or the latest gadgets, at school they are shown that they matter.
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“I like my teachers because they never give up on me,” one student said.
“My favorite thing about my teachers is that they all take time to have fun and learn at the same time,” another student said.
With every student and staff member gathered in the gym, Obama also announced that the school would be getting a basketball court for the first time. The news was followed by more cheers.
“Growing up, my parents always taught me that it’s not enough to just go through life just working for yourself,” Obama said. “You’ve got to reach back and lift others along the way. It’s a great way to connect.”