Oakstead Prepares for Biden’s Visit

When helicopters buzzed overhead and “men in black” toured the Oakstead Elementary campus last Friday, no one knew for sure if the school would be in for a historic visit or not.

Then the news broke late Saturday night that at the school during his tour touting the American Jobs Acts. It’s been a whirlwind for faculty, staff and students ever since.

Not wanting to too much, Biden and his staff insisted that business as usual be conducted on the campus during today’s visit.

“They really wanted it to be as normal a day as possible,” said Tammy Kimpland, Oakstead’s principal.

With that in mind, parents and volunteers will still be allowed to visit the campus tomorrow. Parents can even come in and eat lunch with their children like on any other day.

While “normalcy” is being touted, students have been abuzz about the Secret Service presence on the campus, Kimpland said. And, there were plenty of preparations under way on Monday, Oct. 3.

As the media center was slowly being transformed into a staging area for Biden’s speech, teachers were talking to students about the vice presidential visit and government in America, Kimpland said.

Biden is expected to visit one fifth-grade class. He will then address an audience of teachers, parents and students in the media center. The speech will be shown via television in the school’s classrooms.

“We’re excited,” said Summer Romagnoli, the Pasco County School District’s spokeswoman. “(This) is a wonderful teachable moment.”

Biden is expected to be at the school around 12:30 p.m.