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5th Grader Gets Presidential Pardon for Missing School (VIDEO)

by Julie Ryan Evans on June 4, 2012 at 11:19 AM

Barack Obama and Tyler SullivanNo matter what you think of his politics, you have to admit that President Obama made a pretty cool move last Friday when he gave fifth grader Tyler Sullivan the best excuse ever for missing school.

His father, Ryan, was introducing the President at a Honeywell plant in Golden Valley, Minn., and Tyler skipped school to attend. He got a chance to meet Obama after the event, and as they were talking, he said the President asked him if he needed an excuse for missing school. Tyler told CNN that he was "shocked" and didn't know what to say.

The next thing he knew, the President was writing an official, handwritten note to his teacher on Presidential paper. It read:

Mr. Ackerman — Please excuse Tyler ... he was with me! Barack Obama.

Mr. Ackerman surely couldn't argue with that, now could he? While school is important, there are just some experiences outside the classroom that are more valuable. This clearly was one for Tyler.

More from The Stir: School 'Fails' Honor Student With Jail Sentence for Missing Class

Mr. Ackerman appeared on CNN with Tyler this morning, and said that he had no idea where Tyler was that day until after the fact. He said that it couldn't have happened to a better student, and based on the interviews I've seen, he seems like an all around nice kid. What a wonderful memory for him.

When I first heard the story, my immediate question was who would get to keep the note. I was hoping the school and/or teacher wouldn't try to claim it as theirs since it was written to the teacher. Fortunately Mr. Ackerman seems to be content with just making a copy of it.

What's the best excuse your kid has ever had for missing school?


Image via CNN

Filed Under: in the news, education, elementary school

Comments

10
  • onefo...
    --

    onefootcutiepie

    June 4, 2012 at 11:29 AM

    Even though I disagree with almost everything Barack Obama does, I've always maintained that I believe he's a good guy with good intentions, he just doesn't see the same way of getting the country "there", as I do. I don't want him re-elected, but I don't think he's "evil" either. This was a cute story.


  • Michelle
    -- Nonmember comment from

    Michelle

    June 4, 2012 at 11:33 AM
    @onefootcutiepie...you couldn't have said it any better!!!
  • Rocks...
    --

    RockstarMommy09

    June 4, 2012 at 11:55 AM

    This is just a recycled concept, really. McCain did this several times on the campaign trail for kids that went to rallys during the last election.


  • KWnav...
    --

    KWnavywife

    June 4, 2012 at 12:01 PM

    While I'm not a fan of Obama's politics and policies, he does seem like a pretty good guy. This was a  awesome thing to do and made a memeory for this kid that he will never forget. I can just see this kid telling his kids about it some day and when they are like "no way dad!", he can pull out that hand written note and show them.


  • jasmi...
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    jasmineg86

    June 4, 2012 at 2:38 PM

    i wont preface my comment with my political opinion, as this story clearly does not call for it....

    thats such an awesome thing to have for a scrapbook!!


  • Todd...
    -- Facebook comment from

    Todd Vrancic

    June 4, 2012 at 2:50 PM

    I read a story once where the senior Mr. Bush wrote a note to the tooth fairy for a child who lost her tooth and couldn't find it.  The child was so afraid the tooth fairy wouldn't come if she didn't have the tooth to put under her pillow, so the President at the time wrote the note for her to leave under her pillow for the tooth fairy.  This reminds me of that.  Just goes to show that Presidents are very often very down to earth people who are good with kids.


  • Dawn
    -- Nonmember comment from

    Dawn

    June 4, 2012 at 4:20 PM
    I agree with the posters here. I may not politically agree with what President Obama does, but you can be sure I wouldn't pass up a pick game of BBall or a night of karaoke with him. He does seem like someone you would socially hang out with.....
  • noway
    -- Nonmember comment from

    noway

    June 4, 2012 at 4:33 PM
    I'll quote my 10 year old son here, "Obama isn't a good president, but he is a nice man." :)
  • angel
    -- Nonmember comment from

    angel

    June 5, 2012 at 12:29 AM
    I don't understand at all. What policies of President Obama's do you disagree with? His helping out the auto industry, so now it's booming? Eliminating terrorists who were threatening our country? Bringing U.S. troops home? Keeping the U.S. economy from sliding back into the recession we had under Bush, while our trade partners in Europe are experiencing economic declines, and even China is in a economic slowdown? Reforming our health care system to provide millions more with coverage, and to prevent costly emergency medical care, just as Gov. Romney had done in Massachusetts? As a reminder, even if McCain had beaten Obama, given the external pressures mentioned above, our economy would still be struggling to recover.
  • mamivon2
    --

    mamivon2

    June 5, 2012 at 6:26 AM

    Cute story.. why does he need an excuse all those videos should be enough


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