[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 36 (Tuesday, March 28, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E428]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       MARCH SCHOOL OF THE MONTH

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                         HON. CAROLYN McCARTHY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 28, 2000

  Mrs. McCARTHY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to name Lawrence 
Middle School in Lawrence as the School of the Month in the fourth 
congressional district for March 2000. Lawrence Middle School principal 
is Dr. Mark Kavarsky, and Superintendent of Schools is Dr. Paul 
Kelleher.
  I chose Lawrence Middle as the March School of the Month because the 
school provides educational activities before school, during school and 
after school. I'm working on an amendment to this year's education bill 
to bolster after school programs, and Lawrence is a perfect model of 
how to help kids learn all day.
  The mission of the Lawrence Public Schools is to ensure all learners 
reach their highest individual potential, through an academically 
rigorous educational system that inspires lifelong learning; focuses on 
creative, student-centered teaching and learning; and enables all to 
possess the confidence and abilities to meet life's challenges.
  Lawrence Middle teaches 900 children in grades 6, 7 and 8. Two years 
ago I was the guest of honor--and first elected offical--at Lawrence's 
Long Island Middle School Forum, where representatives from the middle 
schools in the 4th congressional district debated and discussed 
legislative issues.
  When I visited Lawrence, I was impressed with how knowledgeable our 
kids are about the legislative process It's vital we encourage 
government participation at such a young age.
  In addition to their top academic activities, the youth at Lawrence 
Middle are civic-minded, participating in the Service Learning Club 
where the youth collect toiletries, clothes and other items to give to 
the homeless. An innovative way Lawrence teaches the kids about 
wastefulness is ``Wrap It Up''--when students collect and wrap all 
leftover food from the cafeteria and other school events. This food is 
then forwarded to local food kitchens to provide for the needy in the 
Long Island community.
  The School of the Month program highlights schools with outstanding 
students, teachers and administrators. Each month, McCarthy will 
recognize a different school that demonstrates a unique contribution to 
Long Island education.

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