First Lady Pool Reports of September 21, 2024

FLOTUS Pool report #1

Good afternoon. I'll be your pooler for the First Lady's back to school event with Education Secretary Miguel Cardona on the South Lawn, where about 1,000 people including families with children are enjoying refreshments, including ice cream on a very warm and sunny day.

The program will begin shortly and is being streamed on the White House website.

Passing along the following on background from the Office of the First Lady:

Today, September 21st, First Lady Jill Biden, a life-long educator, will host the first-ever Back-to-School Night at the White House to celebrate the start of the new school year with educators, school professionals, students, and families. The event will feature brief remarks from the First Lady and U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona, and will include a number of family-friendly activities for guests to enjoy on the South Lawn.

To mark the new school year, the White House extended invitations for this special event to DMV-area public schools, YMCA, NEA, AFT, SEIU, AFSCME, and Council of Chief State School Officers, among other local education organizations. Additionally, 2024 State Teachers of Year are expected to attend from across the country – including from: Washington, D.C., Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Delaware, Ohio, Michigan, Georgia, District of Columbia, New York, and Tennessee.

Remarks Program:

• U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona
• First Lady Jill Biden

Background on First Lady Jill Biden
As a classroom teacher for over 30 years, advocating for increased educational opportunities for all students, is close to the First Lady's heart. From championing universal pre-school, teacher recruitment and retention, opportunities for career-connected learning, and more affordable options for education after high school, including free community college, Dr. Biden continues her work promoting quality education for everyone.

Background on the Biden-Harris Administration's Support for K-12 Education
Since Day One, the Biden-Harris Administration has focused on meeting the needs of students, supporting our educators, and building school communities where all students feel they belong and can thrive. Under the Biden-Harris Administration, federal investments have helped create more than 643,000 education jobs and average teacher pay is projected to have increased 9.5% through school year 2023-24.

As students and educators head back to school, the Biden-Harris Administration is providing additional resources to support their success, building off of the historic investments and resources previously provided.

For more information on the Administration's ongoing commitment to support students, educators, and school professionals, you can visit our White House Fact Sheet HERE.

FLOTUS pool report #2

Dr. Biden briefly stepped out of the White House Blue Room to speak with a child reporter on the Truman Blacony at 3:59 p.m and stepped back inside at 4:01 p.m. They taped a short video interview for Nick News, according to the White House.

From the East Wing: Ahead of the event, Dr. Biden participated in brief greet with Rashaad W. Coleman, a 13-year old from Baltimore, MD, with Nick News.

FLOTUS and Sec. Cardona stepped out onto the South Lawn at 4:19 p.m.

Cardona began the speaking program. "You are the ones who are going to tap a student on the shoulder, as only an educator can and say to them, 'I see the amazing potential you have."

Dr. Biden began speaking at 4:23 p.m., talking about back to school four years ago during the height of the Covid pandemic. "Schools were silent [and] teachers had to reach out to students through Zoom squares," she said.

"But our educators came to the rescue. Thank you."

"Teachers will broaden horizons from their classrooms, parents will see how much their kids grow and learn, students will let their imaginations soar."

The program ended at 4:28 p.m.

That's it from your pooler. Have a great weekend.