[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 152 (Tuesday, November 4, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2171]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    HONORING HERRICKS MIDDLE SCHOOL

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                         HON. GARY L. ACKERMAN

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 4, 1997

  Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Herricks Middle School in 
Albertson, NY, which has recently received a Blue Ribbon Award for 
academic excellence by the Department of Education. The school will be 
honored in a ceremony with Education Secretary, Richard Riley on 
November 6.
  Herricks Middle School strives to give every student the most well 
rounded education possible by fostering each child's cognitive, social, 
and physical development. Students are required to take a seventh grade 
guidance class, where they can initiate a positive relationship with a 
guidance counselor, early on in their academic careers. The school's 
academic teams, which consist of teachers, guidance counselors, 
administrators, and parents, focus upon each individual student, in 
order to provide critical support during difficult times. Herricks 
Middle School also has a diverse and innovative extracurricular 
program.
  The school has also placed an important focus upon computer literacy 
programs. The administration has recognized that a computer in a 
classroom may not necessarily foster a student's education unless a 
teacher is fully versed in the proper technology. Thus, a part time 
staff member has been hired to train teachers in computer technology 
and help them apply it in a classroom setting. Since this training 
program was implemented, computer use by teachers has tripled.
  The school's innovative curriculum also includes interdisciplinary 
units on the Holocaust and immigration. All of these factors have 
combined to create an extraordinary learning environment. The average 
daily attendance rate at Herricks Middle School exceeds an astounding 
96 percent. The school's average standardized test scores in reading 
and math fall between the 82d and 92d percentiles nationwide. Much of 
this success can also be attributed to the leadership and commitment of 
the school's principal, Dr. Seth Weitzman.
  Herricks Middle School is working to build tomorrow's leaders through 
innovative academic and guidance programs, constant teacher training, 
and diversified extracurricular activities. I ask all of my colleagues 
to join me in honoring this school for their extraordinary work and 
congratulating them on receiving the prestigious Blue Ribbon Award.

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