[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 66 (Thursday, May 21, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E932]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          A BLUE RIBBON SCHOOL

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                           HON. JERRY WELLER

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 21, 1998

  Mr. WELLER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the selection of 
Warren P. Shepherd Junior High School as a Blue Ribbon School.
  Located in Ottawa, Illinois, Shepherd is one of only 166 secondary 
schools in the nation presented with this prestigious award by the 
United States Department of Education. The Blue Ribbon Award is sought 
after by thousands of schools across the country.
  Blue Ribbon status is bestowed upon schools with qualities including 
strong leadership, a clear vision and sense of mission, high quality 
teaching, challenging and up-to-date curriculum, and solid evidence of 
family involvement. These are the schools that best prepare children 
for the challenges they will face in the future. Blue Ribbon schools 
are also effective in meeting local state and national goals.
  Led by Principal Michael Bannister, Shepherd Junior High School 
clearly has the characteristics of a Blue Ribbon school. As a seventh 
and eighth grade junior high school, Shepherd strives to maintain 
excellence, effectiveness and equity in the education of young people 
in the ``middle grades.'' This school of 513 students serves both 
regular and special education students. Shepherd was recognized for its 
ability to combine these two populations through a successful peer 
partnering program.
  As with other Blue Ribbon schools, Shepherd prepares our young people 
for tomorrow's challenges through active learning programs. Shepherd's 
hands-on learning philosophy is perhaps best evidenced by its science 
curriculum. After undergoing several major technology-related 
renovations last year, Shepherd has become a technology leader in north 
central Illinois. At least one new computer with multimedia 
capabilities and Internet access has been installed in each classroom. 
In addition, clusters of up to six new computers were placed in four 
locations of the building, and a Special Education computer lab was 
installed.
  Among Shepherd's strong points are an integrated curriculum designed 
by cross-curricular grade level teams, a commitment to the development 
of skills in the area of language arts and exemplary students, faculty 
and administrators. These and many other accomplishments led qualified 
Shepherd for Blue Ribbon status.
  Mr. Speaker, today I recognize and honor Shepherd Junior High School 
as a recipient of the prestigious Blue Ribbon Schools Award. Shepherd 
exemplifies the standard of excellence to which all junior high schools 
should be held. I am proud to represent a district that includes 
schools of Blue-Ribbon caliber.

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