The Village Elementary School fifth-graders had their Washington DC trip itinerary planned for quite some time before suddenly learning, one day before their journey to the Capitol was to begin, that an unexpected development would force them to make some drastic changes to their schedule.

But, after all, as student Risa Naure philosophized, "When the first lady invites you to the White House, who's going to turn that offer down?"

It was Tuesday, April 20 when first lady of the United States Hillary Rodham Clinton visited Village Elementary School as part of her New York tour, speaking before a group of parents, teachers and awe-struck students.

Aware that the fifth-graders were, coincidentally, taking a trip to Washington on Wednesday, April 21, Clinton remarked, "It would only be fair...that I invite you to go to the White House and see where the president and I live."

And so the fifth-grade classes of Raymond Evans, Jennifer McEvoy and Beth Moskowitz, along with Village Principal Dr. Corine B. Lipset, very eagerly restructured their schedule to accommodate Clinton's offer.

Classes were met at the entrance to the White House by a Secret Service employee who escorted them inside where, once again, and for the second consecutive day, the children encountered Clinton.

According to Lipset, the very busy first lady - Washington DC was in the midst of preparing for a huge NATO summit that weekend, and the students were right in the middle of it - greeted her familiar guests and ensured that they would get the presidential treatment. Before she departed, they took a group picture for posterity.

Lipset said that Clinton told a security person, "Please take them somewhere special." The group was then taken to the famous Rose Garden, which at this time of year is actually blooming with colorful tulips. "We felt very special indeed and very privileged," said Lipset.

And the children agreed.

"I liked the White House. It was very special to see the Rose Garden because I know that a lot of people don't get to see it," said student Lauren Stillo.

"Taking the picture with her, we thought it was just really special," said student Robin Kerner, "and I was only the second person away from her [in the photo]."

There were many other highlights outside of the White House as well. Student Britnie Stingelin found a distant relative's name on the Vietnam War Memorial wall, and etched his name onto a piece of paper. She also loved the Korean War Memorial. "I really liked the statues there of the nurses. That was amazing," she said.

Students also visited Mt. Vernon, site of George Washington's birthplace, went to a media museum called the Newseum and visited Congress, where they watched legislators vote on an earthquake legislation.

Watching government in action was a strikingly visual method of demonstrating the workings of government to children who are currently studying this very subject back at Village School.

"We feel that [because] Washington is the capital of the country, it's nice for kids at the fifth-grade level to have an experience with it. We hope they will go back," said Lipset.

"Curriculum -wise, [this trip] fits in very well with the social studies curriculum," added Evans.

As in years before - this is the fifth grade's eighth annual trip to Washington - students also met a representative from the legislative branch. This year, Congressman Peter King greeted the students.

But, with apologies to King, the congressman wasn't the star of the show this time. Not with Clinton there to greet the awe-struck kids.

Lipset said that the fifth-grade classes are currently deciding how they will express their gratitude to Clinton for her generous offer.