[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 71 (Thursday, June 4, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1018]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             CONGRATULATING BENJAMIN FRANKLIN MIDDLE SCHOOL

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MARGE ROUKEMA

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, June 4, 1998

  Mrs. ROUKEMA. Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate Benjamin Franklin 
Middle School in Ridgewood, New Jersey, on receiving the U.S. 
Department of Education's prestigious Blue Ribbon Schools Award.
  This award recognizes that Benjamin Franklin Middle School is one of 
the finest schools in our entire nation. This proves that public 
education works and that our young people in Bergen County are among 
the best and brightest. This accomplishment is the result of hard work 
on the part of students, their parents, teachers and the Board of 
Education. Special congratulations go to Principal Paul Folkemer, and 
Superintendent of Schools Frederick J. Stokley. As a former teacher and 
school board member, I am proud of everyone associated with this 
accomplishment.
  Of the thousands of middle schools and high schools across the United 
States, only 166 this year were found to be outstanding enough to 
receive this high honor. Recipients of the Blue Ribbon Schools Award 
have been judged particularly effective at meeting local, state and 
national goals. The award is presented to schools that have shown 
strong leadership, a clear vision and sense of mission, high quality 
teaching, challenging curriculum, a safe environment for learning, 
solid evidence of family involvement, evidence that the school helps 
all students achieve high standards, and a commitment to share best 
practices with other schools. These schools clearly display the quality 
of excellence necessary to prepare our young people for the challenges 
of the next century.
  With 600 students, Benjamin Franklin has served students in the 
sixth, seventh and eighth grades as a middle school since 1985, when it 
reorganized from a junior high serving seventh, eighth and ninth 
grades. The mission of the school is to ``help children grow up''--
intellectually, emotionally, socially and physically--and its 
organization, instructional program and support system are focused on 
that goal. The school is divided into two ``houses,'' each with an 
administrator, guidance counselor, learning disabilities consultant and 
12 teachers divided into three teams of four each. Each team meets 
daily to discuss curriculum, review individual student progress and 
coordinate activities.
  The school's curriculum is comprehensive and challenging. All sixth-
grade students are required to take classes in English, math, science, 
social studies, a foreign language, physical education, art, 
technology, health and music. Seventh- and eighth-graders take courses 
in the same categories plus a selection of electives. The focus of the 
curriculum is on mastery of the language, problem solving, creativity, 
critical thinking and basic skill development.
  Modern technology is a part of all courses. The school has a three-
room technology center, a television studio, an automated information 
retrieval system, and televisions, telephones and computers in every 
classroom. Students word process all English assignments.
  Since 1990, Benjamin Franklin has emphasized a ``reality-based'' 
curriculum that links academic topics to real-life situations. Students 
have explored how race relations played a role in the Yankees' decision 
to stay in the Bronx, the arson of African-American churches and the 
World War II Holocaust.
  The excellence of Benjamin Franklin's academic program has been 
repeatedly recognized. In 1996, the school was selected as one of the 
top 10 schools in New Jersey and was recognized for its reality-based 
curriculum. In the past four years, the school has received nine Best 
Practices Awards from the state Department of Education, recognizing 
its courses in citizenship (twice), career education, English (twice), 
art, special education, foreign language and physical education. No 
other school in New Jersey has received that many awards during the 
four-year history of the Best Practices program.
  Benjamin Franklin students are well prepared by their teachers, 
parents and role models in the community. They can rest assured they 
will be able to handle whatever challenges they choose in life. Once 
again, congratulations to everyone involved in this impressive 
achievement.

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