[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 85 (Thursday, June 29, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Page S6115]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          TRIBUTE TO GARFIELD AND SUNNYSIDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS

 Mr. CRAPO. Mr. President, I rise today to commend two Idaho 
schools, Garfield Elementary School in Boise and Sunnyside Elementary 
School in Kellogg for their high standards and excellent teaching 
records.
  Last month, these two schools were recognized by the U.S. Department 
of Education and the National Association of Title I Directors as 
Distinguished Title I Schools. These two elementary schools were among 
the ninety schools nationwide to be recognized for their efforts toward 
student achievement in schools that teach students from low-income 
households. Garfield Elementary and Sunnyside Elementary exemplify 
Idaho's high education standards and I am honored to congratulate these 
two schools for receiving this national award.
  This national honor is especially impressive when one recognizes that 
more than fifty thousand schools across the country use Title I funds 
to boost the achievement levels of students from low-income households. 
The distinction of 2000 Distinguished Title I School is awarded to 
schools whose programs offer children from educationally disadvantaged 
communities access to effective academic lessons. Education is crucial 
to the well-being of these future adults because it is often their 
means of upward mobility. Improved education opportunities allows these 
children to become better citizens and achieve their education and 
career goals, including higher paying jobs, and a better quality of 
life.
  Much of Sunnyside Elementary's success can be attributed to an active 
parent volunteer program. For example, while the school has only 300 
students, approximately 124 parents volunteer their time at least once 
a year and forty-nine parents volunteer at the school on a regular 
basis. A web page, maintained by Principal Steve Shepperd and monthly 
school newsletters inform parents of school activities and highlight 
ways parents can get involved. The suggested tasks are often as simple 
as helping children with homework assignments.
  Principal Shepperd says, ``Just because sixty percent of the students 
we teach come from households that are at or near the poverty level, it 
doesn't mean that they cannot learn. We concentrate on setting high 
standards and we help the kids meet them by offering encouragement and 
extra assistance with their lessons.'' Principal Shepperd credits the 
dedicated teachers of Sunnyside Elementary for putting in extra time 
and for bringing so much of their energy into the classroom.
  Garfield Elementary is noted for its tremendous community 
involvement. Student volunteers from Boise State University, most of 
them studying to be teachers, regularly tutor students after school. 
Garfield hosts an annual Career Day in which professionals from the 
community describe their careers and how they pursued them. The school 
also has a fifteen-member mentor program. Although none of the tutors 
have children of their own who attend Garfield, they come to the school 
frequently during lunchtime to read with children. This extensive 
community involvement is one of the reasons why the Iowa Test of Basic 
Skills for students at Garfield Elementary have risen as much as thirty 
points on a 100-point scale for some grades.
  In addition to volunteering, parents at Garfield Elementary are 
encouraged by Principal Elaine Eichelberg to join one of the school's 
many committees. At the beginning of the year, each household receives 
a questionnaire that lists specific ways to help and asks parents to 
indicate their interest and availability. Principal Eichelberg says, 
``One of the best things parents can do to improve their child's 
education is to keep close tabs on their child's progress themselves 
and work with teachers when problems at school arise.''
  The national recognition that Sunnyside Elementary and Garfield 
Elementary have received reaffirms my belief that Idaho has some of the 
best teachers and administrators in the nation. Backed by strong 
involvement from parents and encouragement from the community, these 
elementary schools have demonstrated success in teacher training, 
utilized community resources, and established partnerships with 
parents.
  There has been much debate about the success of the Title I program 
in the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. Schools like Garfield 
and Sunnyside show us that the programs implemented with the use of 
Title I funds do work. When we invest in quality education programs 
that focus on basic skills, such as reading and mathematics, our low-
performing students will improve. The methods employed in Idaho serve 
as a reminder that community and parental support often make the 
biggest difference in elementary education.
  I am very proud of the accomplishments of these two schools. Their 
steady focus on hard work has put their students on a path of continued 
academic success.

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