[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 110 (Monday, September 18, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1503]
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 congratulate Diegueno 
Middle School in Encinitas and its leaders, Principal, Marilyn Pugh and 
Superintendent, Bill Berrier. Diegueno 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 Diegueno 
Middle School's superior work be included in the record.
  Diegueno Middle school is nestled in Encinitas, a quite residential 
area approximately four-and-a-half miles inland from the Pacific coast. 
Diegueno is one of four middle schools in the San Dieguito Union High 
School District, and it is a feeder school for two traditional high 
schools, one ``Academy'' High School, and one alternative high school. 
Diegueno students are motivated toward high academic expectations and 
proud of their academic, athletic, and service accomplishments.
  Diegueno's newly developed Mission Statement is ``to ensure that all 
students reach their potential as ethical, involved citizens and life-
long learners guided by a professional, compassionate staff who provide 
a challenging, creative, and meaningful education.'' With their mission 
statement in mind, Diegueno offers many programs and services to 
support the learning and development of middle school age students, 
including a rigorous core academic program expected by their community 
and mandated by the state. In addition, their newly networked and 
technologically equipped campus supports the goals of developing 
students' technological skills and connecting them to an increasingly 
global interaction with the world. Their elective program, lunchtime 
activities, after school programs, classes and sports teams offered in 
conjunction with the City of Encinitas and the Boys and Girls' Club 
help students to discover interests which support and enhance their 
academic efforts. It is indeed Diegueno's goal to show all their 
students that they are an integral part of our school, a necessary 
element of the larger surrounding community, and valuable citizens of 
the world.




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