[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 80 (Tuesday, June 10, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1159]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      PORTER MAGNET SCHOOL DESIGNATED TITLE I DISTINGUISHED SCHOOL

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                          HON. JAMES T. WALSH

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 10, 1997

  Mr. WALSH. Mr. Speaker, I want to bring to my colleagues' attention 
today the significant accomplishment of the Porter Magnet School of 
Technology and Career Exploration in Syracuse, NY. Porter was recently 
designated by the Federal Government as a distinguished school.
  This elementary school is 1 of 100 schools nationally and five 
statewide to be commended for the high performance of the students and 
the innovation of instruction. Porter is the only school in the 
Syracuse area to receive the commendation.
  Many of the programs at Porter are innovative. They involve parents 
in creative ways, such as communication through audio and visual tapes 
in instances where literacy at home is a question. The faculty, led by 
Principal Octavia Wilcox, has worked hard to produce a learning 
environment which challenges the students. Using tax dollars wisely in 
pursuit of high standards in education is a top priority.
  Every student at Porter takes music, and any student can take piano 
lessons during school time. They have a pottery wheel in the art class. 
They have sophisticated computers and their own news team which 
videotaped a recent visit I made.
  But more importantly than the hardware, Porter prides itself in a 
philosophy. Every child can learn. Parents must be involved. Excellence 
is worth pursuing.
  Principal Wilcox says the faculty tries to compete with other forces, 
negative forces, for students' time. The curriculum stresses the future 
and the students are taught to think about what comes next--the next 
level of education and then careers.
  I am very proud to congratulate the Syracuse School District in 
general for its support of programs like the one at Porter School.

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