[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 40 (Thursday, March 21, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E407]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    HONORING ALVARADO MIDDLE SCHOOL

                                 ______


                              HON. JAY KIM

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 20, 1996

  Mr. KIM. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to rise today and salute Principal 
Hunt and the teachers and students of Alvarado Intermediate School in 
Rowland Heights for having been awarded the Blue Ribbon School Award by 
the U.S. Secretary of Education.
  Blue ribbon awards honor 266 secondary, middle, and junior high 
schools around the country for showing exceptional dedication to 
providing a top notch education to its students. Alvarado Middle School 
was the only school in the 41st district to achieve this special honor. 
Blue ribbon schools must show strong leadership, a clear vision and 
sense of mission that is shared by all connected with the school, high 
quality teaching, a challenging up-to-date curriculum, policies and 
practices that ensure a safe environment conducive to learning, a solid 
commitment to parental involvement, and evidence that the school helps 
all students achieve high standards.
  Alvarado Intermediate School was selected through a highly 
competitive process in which State education departments, the 
Department of Defense Dependent Schools, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, 
and the Council for American Private Education nominate schools which 
best meet the superior standards of the award. The selected schools are 
then visited and reviewed by a panel of 100 outstanding members of the 
education community. This panel then makes final recommendations to the 
U.S. Secretary of Education. Alvarado intermediate will be honored this 
spring at a national ceremony in Washington, DC where the school will 
be given a plaque and a special flag to fly.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in commending Alvarado 
Intermediate School for its uncommon dedication to preparing its 
students for the challenges they will face growing up in and around Los 
Angeles County. Behind this Blue Ribbon Award is a dedicated group of 
faculty, students, and staff whose commitment to education is an 
example for schools around the country to follow.

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