[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 58 (Thursday, May 11, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E705]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           TRIBUTE TO THE 21ST CENTURY COMMUNITY SCHOOL HOUSE

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                          HON. DARLENE HOOLEY

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 11, 2000

  Ms. HOOLEY. Mr. Speaker, in honor of H. Con. Res. 310--which was 
passed by the House last week--to Commend the Charter School Movement, 
I rise to pay tribute to a new PUBLIC charter high school in Salem, 
Oregon, the heart of my district.
  The 21st Century Community Schoolhouse is a small high school where 
no student is anonymous. With a curriculum that integrates ALL 
subjects, it is founded on the belief that students' work must be 
relevant to them, incorporate high academic standards, and include 
extensive community service.
  These students, who formerly have been alienated because of whatever 
differences make them special, will now become connected to each other, 
to their teachers, and to adult mentors in the community. I believe 
that we cannot afford to let one high school student slip through the 
cracks in the public school system, and the 21st Century Community 
Schoolhouse provides a model for school districts across the country to 
follow.
  This resolution represents a national commemoration of the charter 
school movement and the contribution charter schools have made to 
improving the nation's public school system. But we are not only here 
to applaud charter schools today--this resolution will continue to 
express our appreciation of charter schools by designating a National 
Charter Schools Week.
  Often times, we forget to celebrate the parts of our education system 
which are working. The 21st Century Community Schoolhouse in my 
district works and I wish to celebrate them.

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