Obama’s immediate priority is to prepare girls for school

WEIGHTY issues like the presidential inauguration and the economic stimulus package are pending, but the first order of business for president-elect Barack Obama’s family is to get settled in Washington quickly to prepare for the start of school for his two daughters.

The family will settle into an exclusive hotel near the White House as their temporary home when they move to the capital this weekend.

Daughters Malia, 10, and Sasha, 7, begin classes Monday at the private Sidwell Friends School. The Obamas asked about Blair House, the government official guest residence across Pennsylvania Avenue from the White House, where presidents-elect sometimes stay before taking the oath of office. But it’s unavailable, booked solidly through January 15, the Bush administration said. Obama’s inauguration is January 20.