[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 100 (Tuesday, July 15, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S7508]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




PLEASANT HILL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL--A 1997 NATIONAL BLUE RIBBON SCHOOL OF 
                               EXCELLENCE

 Mr. ROCKEFELLER. Mr. President, I would like to take a moment 
to recognize a worthy school in my State.
  The National Blue Ribbon Schools Program annually identifies 
elementary and middle schools which attain high academic standards, 
foster an educational community, productive communication and strong 
leadership, and indicate a hopeful future. These schools are 
acknowledged for their achievements and held up publicly as models for 
other schools.
  In testament to West Virginia's strong commitment to education, I am 
proud that my State contains more blue ribbon schools this year than 
most others--7 schools out of the 263 honored across the country. Of 
these, I wish to highlight the achievement of one today: Pleasant Hill 
Elementary School in Grantsville, WV.
  Pleasant Hill's two-story brick building is tucked among the forests 
of Calhoun County, far from any city or even a fast-food restaurant. It 
is a place where West Virginians face many financial challenges, yet 
those at Pleasant Hill have struggled and succeeded in the face of 
these obstacles. They see that education is the way to a better future.
  For 8 years, under a community vision that every child must first 
master a backbone of basic skills, the school has steadily improved its 
standing. When teachers were not satisfied with math scores, they 
examined their teaching methods and implemented a new approach which 
emphasized practicing skills after they were learned. Now Pleasant Hill 
students placed in the 91 percentile in math. With this strategy, 
directing attention to one needy area at a time, the whole school has 
raised itself to a level which deserves notice.
  But the whole community--not just the teachers--has also changed the 
atmosphere at Pleasant Hill. Under the leadership of administrators 
like Principal Lawrence Stinn, the faculty and parents see themselves 
as members of the same team aspiring together to teach the children. 
When a school community is so united, perhaps the most important aspect 
of education is already achieved: a sense of optimism. And the Pleasant 
Hill community certainly has reason to see a bright future.
  During a time when our public schools face innumerable obstacles, it 
is comforting to see places like Pleasant Hill. They reassure us that, 
with a little determination, all schools in America can improve. Thus I 
am pleased to congratulate the accomplishments and continuing efforts 
of the people of Grantsville. I am proud they are from West Virginia 
and know that they will continue to represent the best that our State 
has to offer.

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