After Weemer accidentally locks herself in the supply closet, Angelica, Susie and Harold are sent off to find a spare key, while Savannah is designated as class helper. The trio takes the initiative and leaves class to find the key. Outside in a frightening thunderstorm, they face their biggest fears and prove themselves leaders after all.

In order to impress a preschool magazine, Dr. Yeskel decides the class should put on a play of "George Washington and the Cherry Tree." When Savannah convinces Angelica to play the part of the tree (so she can be Martha to Matthew's George), Angelica sets out to upstage the production. Theatrical chaos ensues until Susie wows the audience with her impromptu musical numbers.

When Angelica suddenly realizes the importance of standing with the cool kids in the class photo, she ditches Harold. But when she discovers how crushed he is, she seeks out Harold to confess life isn't always picture perfect, but sometimes friends can be. Meanwhile, Miss Weemer renews her infatuation with the children's photographer.

When Angelica declares that she wants to be a news anchorwoman when she grows up, Miss Weemer decides it would be a good class activity to produce a class news report. Angelica tries to make her own news, and threatens to expose a fraud.