[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 101 (Wednesday, July 16, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1441]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  TRIBUTE TO TAVELLI ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BOB SCHAFFER

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 16, 1997

  Mr. BOB SCHAFFER of Colorado. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay 
tribute to an excellent program that takes place in one of the schools 
of the 4th Congressional District in beautiful Colorado. This is a 
program called Dream Team, which endeavored about 5 years ago, to give 
additional assistance to children who needed a little extra help in 
reading. Since then, it has expanded into a comprehensive mentoring 
program where the older children get together every morning and help 
the younger children, not only in reading, but in math, and computer 
skills. This program was designed at Travelli Elementary School in Fort 
Collins, CO. The sixth graders run the program with the help of Mr. 
Bill Patterson, a physical education teacher, who saw a need and 
decided to fill it. The program's success is due in large part to the 
extensive participation of the students enhancing their own learning 
and teaching themselves new skills.
  The Dream Team program teaches young children crucial lessons in 
leadership and teamwork. Guest speakers come in each week to discuss 
different topics which give the students a glimpse at the working 
world. I would like to take this opportunity to read a letter by one of 
the students participating in the program which will best explain the 
opportunities presented by a program such as this.

                  My Exciting Moment by Amber Gilmore

       My significant moment was when I was ten years old and in 
     the fifth grade. I was attending Travelli Elementary School.
       At Tavelli there was an organization involving several 
     fifth and sixth graders coming to Tavelli an hour before 
     school starts, and assisting children who are in the Chapter 
     1 program in grades first through fourth with their reading 
     and their dreams. What we means by dreams is, if a student 
     has a dream to meet a specific person, he or she might 
     dictate a letter to one of the fifth and sixth graders, the 
     fifth or sixth grader would modify what the little kid said. 
     We would send the letter and if he or she had the time they 
     would come in and read us a story. One time astronaut Marty 
     Fetman came in and told us about his experiences in the space 
     program.
       One time Sarah Smith and I (we were the people in charge of 
     Dream Team) wrote to Bea Romer, Governor Roy Romer's wife. 
     Mrs. Romer is very involved with literacy. Well, after we 
     wrote her she responded and said that she would like us to 
     visit her at her mansion in Denver. The entire Dream Team got 
     dressed up, got onto a bus and headed for the Governor's 
     mansion. We met her, it was so cool! I even have a napkin to 
     prove it. She read us a story, and then she shared some 
     cookies with us. Then her assistant showed us around the 
     mansion. Mrs. Romer requested media there, but they didn't 
     show. After that we went to the capitol house, and met with 
     our state representatives. I don't think that the little kids 
     really understood the experience but I really enjoyed it.

  Mr. Speaker, this is an excellent example of how we can utilize 
resources outside the normal bounds and really reach children. This 
program is run by volunteers and the students help to write grants to 
assist with the funding. Involving the children themselves, teaching 
them how to lead and use their own capabilities is the best way to 
insure a good future for American's youth. Thank you Mr. Speaker for 
allowing me to show this fine example of a program that really works.

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