[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 68 (Wednesday, May 21, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E994]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


  RECOGNIZING THOMAS ERWIN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, WINNER OF CALIFORNIA'S 
                       DISTINGUISHED SCHOOL AWARD

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                       HON. ESTEBAN EDWARD TORRES

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 21, 1997

  Mr. TORRES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to give special recognition to 
Thomas Erwin Elementary School, in La Puente, CA, which was recently 
recognized as one of California's Distinguished Schools.
  Erwin Elementary is a school of 820 kindergarten through 8th grade 
students, 90 percent of whom are Latino, and is the first school in the 
Bassett Unified School District to receive this distinction. To achieve 
a Distinguished School Award it takes the dedication of an entire 
community of students, parents, faculty, staff, and administration. The 
coalescing of the Erwin community has been led by its dynamic leader, 
Principal Jose Reynoso, faculty and staff, along with the strong 
support of the members of the Board of Education and Superintendent 
Linda Gonzalez.
  On a recent visit to Erwin, I was impressed by the school's state-of-
the-art computer lab, its outstanding Gifted and Talented Education 
Program [GATE], which challenges students to reach their highest 
potential, and especially for Erwin's unique outdoor science pond, 
which was developed in a partnership with the Jet Propulsion 
Laboratories. This outdoor science pond is the envy of many schools in 
the community. The focal point of this ecosystem project is the pupil-
made pond surrounded with flora and fawna indigenous to the area.
  Another notable project is Erwin's bilingual education program, which 
gives over 500 limited-English-speaking students a strong academic 
foundation in their native language, and transitions them into an 
English instructional program. There is a tutorial program which 
utilizes ``at risk'' upper grade students as tutors for lower grade 
students, allowing both to develop an appreciation of each other, and 
helps foster self esteem and academic growth.
  These programs, along with a strong academic emphasis, provide Erwin 
students with an excellent foundation for future success. A strong 
parent involvement program that encourages parents to visit the school 
and become partners in the educational process of students is in place 
and also ensures the student successes.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Thomas Erwin 
Elementary School, one of California's Distinguished Schools, for its 
commitment to providing its students with the highest quality 
educational experience possible. Erwin Elementary serves as truly a 
model school.

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