Schools

Elk Grove Students Answer: 'If I Were President'

From free cookies to lower taxes and more environmental protections, students at elementary schools in Elk Grove said what they would change if they were elected president.

Click here to read part two with more responses and illustrations from Elk Grove elementary school students.

President Barack Obama and Republican challenger Mitt Romney will debate for the first time Wednesday night, but it's likely neither candidate will propose free pizza or extended recess times.

Students at elementary schools in Elk Grove, in response to requests from Elk Grove Patch, submitted ideas for what they would do if they were president. The ideas ranged from serious proposals for helping schools to whimsical ideas only kids would propose.

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"Also, the government would help fund our children's college fund by giving the kids money for college," Cody, a student in Jim Bentley's class at Foulks Ranch Elementary School, wrote. "Then I would give everybody a puppy or a kitten or BOTH!"

Students also touched on the economy, saying they would help the poor and create jobs.

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"If I was the president, the first thing I would do as president is to print more money for Americans," wrote Ethan, a student in Candy Flink's third grade class at James McKee Elementary School. "I would do this so that people would not lose their homes and have money to buy things that they need."

"If I were president, I would help create more jobs and help improve our economy," wrote Haley, another student in Bentley's class at Foulks Ranch. "To help create jobs, I would try to fundraise money to places that offer a job, so that they don't have to fire anyone from their business. I think that too many people are losing their homes and their jobs, and I think with the right amount of time and effort, we could change our economy."

Some students were more self-interested.

“If I was the president, the first thing I would do is be a Raider season ticket holder first row for free," wrote Maddox, a third grader in Jodi Boyle’s class at Cosumnes River Elementary School. "I would do that because I like the Raiders. I would also do it because I am the president and I get free stuff."

"I would make a law that allows kids to have one hour of recess," Walter, a student in Bentley's class at Foulks Ranch, wrote. "The final law I would make is that every Tuesday, Friday and Saturday people give me cookies."

Other students addressed public health issues.

"If I was president, I would raise the cost of fast food and lower the price of all fruits and vegetables," Prairie Elementary School sixth grader Josue, a student in Jessika Agustin’s class, wrote. "Not only will this help the environment, but it would help people, especially kids, be a lot healthier!"

And of course, it wouldn't be right if at least one student didn't propose outlawing homework.

“If I were president, I would say no more homework," wrote Sofia, another third grader in Boyle’s class at Cosumnes River Elementary. "I would say tacos and mac and cheese for breakfast, lunch and dinner.  I also would say no drugs!  I would because they can cause heart disease and cancer.  I would also say no to bullying."

Read more of the responses at right and below, and click here to read part two with more responses and illustrations from elementary school students.

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James McKee Elementary School

Candy Flink’s Class (3rd Grade)

  • “If I was president, the first thing that I would do is get homes for the people who don’t have homes or give money to people to buy homes.  I would do this because some people are struggling and poor and they need protection.” – Mia
  • “If I was president of the United States, I would make peace with all of the countries in the world.  There would be no more wars and no more people dying.  I would also help Greece have more money.” – V’Angelo
  • “If I was the president, the first thing I would do as president is to print more money for Americans.  I would do this so that people would not lose their homes and have money to buy things that they need.” – Ethan
  • “If I was president, the first thing I would do as president is make stuff a little cheaper.  Restaurants, toy stores and grocery stores are getting expensive these days.” – Jacob
  • “If I was president, I would tell people they needed to share and help other people.  I would ask people to care for others so that we would have a better world.” – Ximena

Cosumnes River Elementary School

Jodi Boyle’s Class (3rd Grade)

  • “If I was the president, the first thing I would do is be a Raider season ticket holder first row for free.  I would do that because I like the Raiders.  I would also do it because I am the president and I get free stuff.” – Maddox
  • “If I was president, I would make a command.  Then I would go watch a movie in my very own movie theater.  I would do those two things because I always wanted to rule my brother.  I also wanted to see a movie because I like movies.  If would be fun to be president.” – Paige
  • “If I were president, I would say no more homework.  I would say tacos and mac and cheese for breakfast, lunch and dinner.  I also would say no drugs!  I would because they can cause heart disease and cancer.  I would also say no to bullying.” – Sofia

Prairie Elementary School 

Jessika Agustin’s Class (6th Grade)

  • “If I was president, I would give back to my community by helping the underprivileged kids and help inspire others to continue to help one another.” – Zhamara
  • “If I was president, I would raise the cost of fast food and lower the price of all fruits and vegetables.  Not only will this help the environment, but it would help people, especially kids, be a lot healthier!” – Josue
  • “If I was president, I would close down all fast food restaurants unless they agreed to serve healthier choices with less meat options!” – Lionel
  • “If I was president, I would help clean the earth and speak to others all over the world on how to keep our earth safe and clean of pollution.” – Isabella
  • “If I was president, I would help immigrants receive a better education for a college degree.” – Humberto

Foulks Ranch Elementary School

Jim Bentley's Class

  • "If I was president I would create more clubs or mets to help our environment. Also, the government would help fund our children's college fund by giving the kids money for college. Then I would give everybody a puppy or a kitten or BOTH! Finally, everybody gets their own computer of their choice. Also, free pizza for 11 years. Those are a few changes I would make if I was president." – Cody
  • "If I was the president I would ask Congress to pass many new laws. I would make a law that every teacher in the world gets 10 iMacs in their classroom. Also, I would make it so that no one ever has to pay taxes. I would make a law that allows kids to have one hour of recess. The final law I would make is that every Tuesday, Friday and Saturday people give me cookies." – Walter
  • "If I was president, I would want to make our environment safer. I feel that people need to stop carrying guns around with them. A lot of people are getting killed just when they are walking around town. The only time you should be able to carry a gun around is when you are away from a town or when you are in the country on a farm or in the woods. People that are in gangs carry guns around, they should get arrested for even having one that is empty. If people stop carrying guns around, people would not be losing their family members. To help our economy and create more jobs, I would pay people a little less so that companies can keep their employees but still be able to pay them." – Emily
  • "If I was president I would fence off the rainforest and anything nature because I want animals to live in peace and very often I would give the animals a lot of the food we harvest. If anyone but me goes into the forest and hunts, they will go to jail for 30 days. I propose to give homeless people money and help everyone [get] food, money and shelter." – Danville
  • "If I were president, I would help create more jobs and help improve our economy. To help create jobs, I would try to fundraise money to places that offer a job, so that they don't have to fire anyone from their business. I think that too many people are losing their homes and their jobs, and I think with the right amount of time and effort, we could change our economy." – Haley

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