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Date: 4/11/2023
SPRINGFIELD — Crayon-drawn pictures, handwritten notes, smiles and waves greeted U.S. Rep. Richard Neal (D-Springfield) as he visited White Street Elementary School on April 6.
Principal Siobhan Conz provided Neal with a guided tour of the school. Superintendent Daniel Warwick also joined, as Neal traveled from classroom to classroom.
In each room he entered, students’ interest was piqued, and questions were raised. Some students even shared what they are learning about in math, writing, music and more.
White Street Elementary School consists of students from pre-K to grade 5.
Conz noted that White Street has its first pre-K class this year thanks to Warwick. The single class is made up of 3- and 4-year-olds.
In one of the hallways, a photo of Neal was posted with known facts about him. One of those facts was about Neal knowing Joe Biden. Conz said the “hashtag” going around the school is “Richie knows Joe.”
Outside of the school, Neal watched students enjoy recess and even stepped in to shoot a basket himself.
As the tour wrapped up, Neal thanked Conz for inviting him. “I have made a habit over my long career to visit [schools and] pat the principal on the back and lift teachers up,” Neal said. As a past teacher himself, Neal recognizes the struggle that comes with the profession and said, “It is not easy.”