[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 96 (Friday, July 17, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1334-E1335]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     WASHINGTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: A MODEL FOR EDUCATIONAL SUCCESS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. GEORGE MILLER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 16, 1998

  Mr. MILLER of California. Mr. Speaker, over the last several months I 
have had the distinct pleasure of working with an incredible group of 
young people on the development of a Congressional ``Kids's Page'' web 
site. These aspiring web designers were students from the 4th, 5th and 
6th grade classes at Washington Elementary School in Richmond, 
California.
  Washington Elementary is an ethnically diverse neighborhood school 
situated between an affluent bayshore community and the inner-city 
streets. The oldest school in the West Contra Costa Unified School 
District, it was slated for closure in 1991 because of falling 
enrollment and poor academic achievement. Yet the Washington School of 
today is a thriving learning environment, full of energy and life. Its 
enrollment has more than doubled, test scores are quickly rising and it 
has been recognized by the Bay Area School Reform Collaborative as a 
Leadership School.

[[Page E1335]]

  The catalyst for Washington's transformation has been school 
principal, Kaye Burnside. Kaye's personal commitment and perseverance 
are responsible for Washington's dramatic turnaround. She has worked to 
assemble a team of teachers, educational professionals and community 
volunteers who mirror her passion and creativity, and who have created 
a place alive with learning.
  Under Kaye's leadership, many educational partnerships have been 
forged, including Break the Cycle, a project with the University of 
California which provides after-school math tutors for approximately 90 
students, and Project SEED, a program which introduces elementary 
students to algebra and other higher math. Washington has been 
designated a science magnet school and in keeping with their school 
mascot--the dolphin--a core marine science curriculum has been 
developed which runs as a theme throughout the many facets of school 
life. Kaye's efforts have also resulted in recognition from the 
Annenberg Foundation which has named Washington as an Annenberg 
Leadership School and provided support for Washington's contract with 
Early Childhood Resources to provide peer coaching of classroom 
teachers.
  Recognizing that technological literacy is an important element of 
any student's future success, Kaye has strived to ensure that 
Washington students are fully versed in utilization and application of 
informational technology. Kaye recruited the talent which has brought 
to Washington a state-of-the-art computer learning center and 
integrated technology into the broader school curriculum. Development 
of the ``Kid's Page'' is just one example of this successful 
integration, with Washington students undertaking a project which 
challenged their hands-on computer skills while simultaneously asking 
them to research and explore various aspects of representational 
government and the legislative process.
  Kaye has always envisioned that Washington would be more than just a 
school. She has built a true community center, a place in which 
neighbors feel a sense of pride and ownership. Washington has become 
the focus of the Many Hands Foundation, an exemplary community 
partnership which has brought together parents, business leaders and a 
cadre of volunteers in support of educational excellence. The Many 
Hands Foundation provides three business sponsors for each of 
Washington's classrooms. Many Hands also sponsors the Spirit of 
Excellence program, a program which rewards academic achievement with 
scholarships to summer Science Camp and purchase of a home computer.
  The Many Hands Foundation, believing that Kaye has developed 
something truly special at Washington Elementary, will soon be awarding 
Kaye a grant enabling her to document the story of Washington's 
transformation. Washington is a model for replication in communities 
throughout our country, and I am personally honored to have been 
involved with its success. I invite my colleagues to join me in 
recognizing the tremendous contributions of Kaye Burnside and the 
Washington School community in the education of our young people.

                          ____________________