Portsmouth schools to close Friday due to Obama visit

[NHSparky]

Portsmouth schools to close Friday due to Obama visit

By Joey Cresta
jcresta@seacoastonline.com
September 04, 2012 12:48 PM

(c) Portsmouth Herald/www.seacoastonline.com

LINK

(excerpt)

PORTSMOUTH — Superintendent Ed McDonough has announced that city schools will be closed Friday due to President Barack Obama’s campaign stop at Strawbery Banke Museum.

In a letter to be sent home to parents today, McDonough said students will make up the missed day on May 24, 2013, a day originally scheduled as a teacher workshop day.

“Because roads in and around the location of the president’s visit will be effectively closed, the Portsmouth Police Department, in coordination with Secret Service personnel, recommended we dismiss three of our schools by 11 a.m.,” McDonough wrote. “Unfortunately, in order to dismiss both secondary and elementary schools, we must conduct two separate bus runs. Given the high volume of traffic expected on Friday, we are better served to close all schools and reschedule a full day of school later in the year.”

McDonough apologized for any inconvenience.

Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama, Vice President Joe Biden and Dr. Jill Biden are coming to Portsmouth on Friday for what his campaign described as a “grassroots event” at Strawbery Banke.

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Guess it isn't about "teh chilluns" after all...

[DefiantSix]

Guess it isn't about "teh chilluns" after all...

The chilluns must learn to subordinate themselves to the Holy Mind and Will of The Holy WON of Chicago_{(Piss Be Upon Him)}.  Geez, even the Hitler Youth Corps knew that. 

[seahorse513]

He wants to show the chilluns how wonderful, he thinks he is. Hopefully the chilluns of NH, know better.......

[JohnnyReb]

I think I'll be keeping my son at home the day after the election. The chilluns that look like Obama caused a lot of problems at school after the last election. When Obama gets his ass handed to him this time, it ain't gonna be good.

[Chris_]

I think I'll be keeping my son at home the day after the election. The chilluns that look like Obama caused a lot of problems at school after the last election. When Obama gets his ass handed to him this time, it ain't gonna be good.

Good idea.

[DumbAss Tanker]

She needs the privacy to program him for the next day's playback.

[Scoobie]

Let's see, he was here in town a few weeks ago, and now he'll be in Portsmouth? AYFKMRN?


Nah, he's not worried about NH...nope, not at all. 

[NHSparky]

Let's see, he was here in town a few weeks ago, and now he'll be in Portsmouth? AYFKMRN?


Nah, he's not worried about NH...nope, not at all. 

Honey--he was also in Hampton the week after he was here.

Oh, and seems some parents are none too happy about the school closure:

LINK

"I just think it's unbelievable," said parent Kathy Logan. "All of a sudden, the president is coming to Portsmouth and everything has to shut down. I don't think it's right."

Logan said she was at Little Harbour School on Tuesday morning for a "teddy bear picnic" welcoming kindergarten students to the school. The first day for kindergarten is today, and Logan said it was unfair for her son's education to be disrupted so soon.

She said school officials at Little Harbour did not mention the closure and she did not find out until she checked her e-mail when she got home.

She also had made doctor appointments and other plans for Friday, which had to be rescheduled due to the sudden school closure. Logan is a stay-at-home mother, but parents with jobs outside the home are suddenly having to make arrangements for child care Friday.

One commentator on www.seacoastonline.com suggested the president "pay for the sitter" for those inconvenienced by the closure.

Logan said she is an independent voter and her complaints were not driven by politics. She simply thinks her son should be in school, she said.

"I actually blame the campaign. I don't think the School Department had much of a choice," she said. "I love being in New Hampshire. I love the fact that the politicians come through the state. I think we're so lucky, but I just don't think you shut down your whole school system."

[txradioguy]

"I just think it's unbelievable," said parent Kathy Logan. "All of a sudden, the president is coming to Portsmouth and everything has to shut down. I don't think it's right."

But ma'am...how else will they pack the stands when Obama speaks if they don't let the kids out of school?

[formerlurker]

While I agree with the superintendent in canceling school (nightmare of epic proportions traffic wise making it very unsafe for those students), I can't blame parents for being outraged with the reason why, and the short notice.

This superintendent is clearly a neocon trying to make the president look bad to all these parents.   

[JohnnyReb]

Some people in downtown Charlotte NC are upset. Those businesses that are within a couple of blocks of the convention center are closed this week. The people that work in those businesses are off. Some had to take the week as vacation time, some are off with pay and some are off without pay.

...and a restaurant close by has been taken over by TARGET. TARGET is serving "soul food" to the delegates. Typical southen foods such as Fried chicken, mac & cheese, green beans, greens, etc., etc.. When local TV asked some of the 'Yankee' delegates how they liked the "soul food", they just couldn't say enough good things about it.....if the RNC had done this their replies would have been ....U RACIST!