[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 119 (Wednesday, September 10, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1720]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


 SAINT JOAN OF ARC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AWARDED NATIONAL BLUE RIBBON AWARD

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                         HON. THOMAS J. MANTON

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 10, 1997

  Mr. MANTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the outstanding 
work and educational achievements of Saint Joan of Arc Elementary 
School in Jackson Heights, NY. The school has recently been selected as 
a Blue Ribbon School Program winner by the U.S. Department of 
Education.
  Established in 1982, the Blue Ribbon Schools Program honors 
elementary and secondary schools that offer rigorous, efficacious 
curricula to their students. Schools selected for the Blue Ribbon Award 
must have challenging academic standards and curriculum, high retention 
and graduation rates, strong school, family, and community 
partnerships, excellent teaching and teacher development, and must 
provide a safe, disciplined, drug-free learning environment for their 
students.
  Schools were nominated by State education agencies, the Council for 
American Private Education, and the Department of Defense Dependents 
Schools. Schools selected for recognition conducted a rigorous self-
evaluation involving administrators, faculty, students, parents, and 
community representatives in the completion of their nomination 
application. This self-evaluation included an assessment of the 
school's individual strengths and weaknesses and the development of 
strategic plans for the future.
  Saint Joan of Arc Elementary School is one of only 36 private schools 
and 226 public schools selected from among the 527 schools, from over 
40 States, to be nominated this year. Saint Joan of Arc is the only 
school in the city of New York and the only Catholic School in the 
State of New York to be so honored.
  In today's world where many students are forced to attend school in 
overcrowded classrooms, learn from outdated textbooks, do without the 
most basic computer technologies, it is imperative that we commend and 
encourage those institutions and educators who excel.
  Mr. Speaker, I know my colleagues join me in congratulating the 
administrators, faculty, and students of Saint Joan of Arc School on 
their outstanding achievement.

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