[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 70 (Wednesday, June 3, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E989-E990]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              CONGRATULATIONS TO LIBERTY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. GEORGE P. RADANOVICH

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 3, 1998

  Mr. RADANOVICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Clovis 
Unified School District's Liberty Elementary School for being 
recognized as a National Blue Ribbon School. Liberty Elementary is one 
of 263 elementary schools across the nation to be named a Blue Ribbon 
school. To receive this award, Liberty Elementary had to be recognized 
as a California Distinguished School and then pass a rigorous screening 
and two-day site visitation. The faculty and students of Liberty 
Elementary exemplify excellence in student achievement and are very 
deserving of this recognition.
  A Blue Ribbon Award Ceremony was held in Washington D.C. on November 
7, 1997

[[Page E990]]

where representatives from Liberty Elementary were honored by the U.S. 
Department of Education and received a special plaque and flag in 
recognition of this achievement. Each of the schools were evaluated on 
outcome measures and conditions of effective schooling, such as 
leadership, teaching environment, curriculum and instruction, student 
environment, parent and community support, and organizational vitality. 
Recommendations on which schools best meet the Blue Ribbon criteria are 
made to the Secretary of Education by a national panel of distinguished 
educators and other prominent private citizens.
  Liberty Elementary is located in the northeast area of Fresno in one 
of the fastest growing communities in the Clovis Unified School 
District. The school mission is to provide a comprehensive, quality 
education to the Sparthenian concept--``be the best you can be'' in 
mind, body and spirit.
  Liberty Elementary has over 700 Students in grades K-6. The student 
body is composed of 75.1% Caucasian, 10.8% Hispanic, 8.0% Asian, 3.0% 
black, 1.6% Filipino, and 1.6% American Indian Students. Goals of the 
school include: (1) earning ``superior'' ratings in all curricular, co-
curricular, and school climate categories of the Clovis Assessment 
System for Sustained Improvement (CLASSI); (2) implementing a 
literature-based language arts program; (3) implementing a well-rounded 
science program utilizing alternative assessment strategies; (4) using 
team planning at each grade level to promote the concept of a 
``thinking'' curriculum; (5) expanding the concept of technology 
stations into the classroom; (6) continuing to implement a student 
assistance program; (7) continuing to develop the philosophy of 
GoalSharing; and (8) promoting a school environment which fosters the 
development of character traits that lead to responsible, contributing 
membership in society.
  After receiving the California Distinguished School Award, Liberty 
students soared to new heights in both academic achievement and co-
curricular involvement. Liberty received the highest score in the 
Clovis West Area on the district's accountability model and earned the 
CUSD Exemplary School Award. Recognition such as this only comes about 
through extraordinary efforts of the community, the faculty, and the 
student body.
  Mr. Speaker, it is with great honor that I congratulate Clovis 
Unified School District's Liberty Elementary. The students and faculty 
of this school exemplify a care for the community and a dedication to 
hard work that has gained them national recognition. I ask my 
colleagues to join me in wishing Liberty Elementary many more years of 
success.

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