[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 19 (Monday, February 28, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: February 28, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
               RECOGNITION OF MARVISTA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

 Mr. GORTON. Mr. President, I rise to recognize Marvista 
Elementary School in Seattle, WA for excellence in education.
  Last month while I was home in Washington State, I held an education 
conference where I met with many teachers, administrators, parents, and 
students to discuss educational concerns in our State. While their 
thoughts and ideas were as varied and different as the many people who 
populate Washington, one theme was constant. Innovative and resourceful 
programs which educators work hard to plan and execute deserve more 
recognition. I therefore promised to recognize, on a monthly basis, a 
school or school program that is outstanding and innovative. Marvista 
Elementary is a school very deserving of such recognition.
  At my education conference I noted two important issues for education 
reform. First, strong parental involvement is key to the success of 
students. Secondly, because of limited financial resources available to 
schools, innovative partnership programs with corporations are 
beneficial in helping the individual schools educate our children.
  Marvista Elementary has been a leader in both these fields. Their PTA 
has been recognized as one of the most active and involved in the 
State. For the past 2 years, the PTA has earned statewide recognition 
as the outstanding local unit with its volunteers devoting over 4,000 
hours to the student learning process. It is this outstanding parental 
involvement that is essential in educating our children.
  Recognizing the limited resources available to most schools, 
including their own, Marvista Elementary initiated a unique partnership 
program with the Boeing Corp. Fifth and sixth grade students are given 
the opportunity to learn from Boeing employees who volunteer their time 
before school to assist the students in mathematics. Student 
participation in this award winning math program is at an amazing 34 
percent. Boeing, being a major player in the economy of Washington 
State, is demonstrating once again that it is innovative and bold by 
participating in this outstanding program that assists the community. 
Programs such as this are key to the future of education.
  Its many innovative programs have made Marvista Elementary School a 
leader and brought about a healthy learning environment to the 
students. The teachers and administrators of Marvista have established 
successful programs and ideas which should be promoted throughout 
Washington State, as well as the entire U.S.

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