[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 110 (Monday, September 18, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1499-E1500]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       BLUE RIBBON SCHOOL WINNER

                                 ______
                                 

                     HON. RANDY ``DUKE'' CUNNINGHAM

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 18, 2000

  Mr. CUNNINGHAM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratualte Mira Mesa 
High School in Mira Mesa and its leaders, Principal, Rachel Flanagan 
and Superintendent, Alan Bersin. Mira Mesa has been designated by the 
U.S. Department of Education as a National Blue Ribbon School for 2000. 
I am proud to inform my colleagues that my district had an amazing 
record of eleven schools selected for that prestigious honor this year. 
I would also like to note that the Academy of Our Lady of Peace right 
outside my district in San Diego County was also named a Blue Ribbon 
School. I applaud the educators, students and communities in each of 
the San Diego County schools who pulled together in pursuit of 
educational excellence.
  Blue Ribbon Schools are recognized as some of the nation's most 
successful institutions, and they are exemplary models for achieving 
educational excellence throughout the nation. Not only have they 
demonstrated excellence in academic leadership, teaching and teacher 
development, and school curriculum, but they have demonstrated 
exceptional levels of community and parental involvement, high student 
achievement levels and strong safety and discipline.
  After schools are nominated by state education agencies for the Blue 
Ribbon award, they undergo a rigorous review of their programs, plans 
and activities. That is followed with visits by educational experts for 
evaluation. Ultimately, those schools which best demonstrate strong 
leadership, clear vision and mission, excellent teaching and 
curriculum, policies and practices that keep the schools safe for 
learning, family involvement and evidence of high standards are 
selected for this prestigious award. I am pleased that they are now 
receiving the national recognition they are due.
  As school and community leaders head to Washington for the Department 
of Education awards ceremony, I want to thank them once again for a job 
well done. More satisfying than any award, these leaders will have the 
lifelong satisfaction of having provided the best education possible 
and a better future for thousands of children. I am proud of what they 
have achieved, and want to share their achievements so that more people 
benefit from their accomplishments. I ask that a summary of Mira Mesa 
High School's superior work be included in the Record:
  Mira Mesa High School (MMHS) is located in the Mira Mesa community of 
San Diego, California. MMHS has 18.3 and an 89.7 stability rate. Of the 
2,262 students enrolled, 768 are registered in the free/reduced lunch 
program. MMHS boasts a daily attendance rate of 96.2%. The dropout rate 
is currently 0.03 per 100 students for grades 9-12. MMHS has

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been recognized for having the lowest dropout rate in the school 
district. Mira Mesa High School currently has formal educational 
partners: Proxima, Fieldstone Corporation, the U.S. Army, Wells Fargo 
Bank, and the San Diego Police Department Traffic Division.
  MMHS operates as a Second-to-None school with an emphasis on School-
to-Career key elements, the University of California a-f graduation 
requirements, the California curriculum frameworks, and state and 
district content and performance standards. The education program 
features curricular paths, integrated academics and vocational 
education, job shadowing opportunities, career elective classes, 
advisory classes, college/career portfolios, service learning, and 
senior exhibitions. A school-wide literacy focus has been implemented 
through the district's new Institute for Learning. Other guiding forces 
are the WASC Annual Action Plan, and a variety of assessment measures 
including the SAT, the state STAR test, and Advanced Placement exams. 
MMHS has strong values and many traditions embedded in the school's 
mission statement: ``To educate all students in an integrated setting 
to become responsible, literate, thinking, and contributing members of 
a multicultural society through excellence in teaching and learning.'' 
The school's vision demonstrates pride and commitment to the task, and 
supports respect for all members.

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