[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 110 (Monday, September 18, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1505-E1506]
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 Twin Peaks 
Middle School in Poway and its leaders, Principal Sue Foerster and 
Superintendent Dr. Bob Reeves. Twin Peaks 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 11 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.

[[Page E1506]]

  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 Twin Peaks 
Middle School's superior work be included in the Record:
  Twin Peaks Middle School is in the city of Poway, a suburban 
community of about 45,000 located 25 miles northeast of San Diego, 
California. Known as ``The City in the Country,'' Poway maintains a 
rural feeling where horse trails are common and the annual rodeo is an 
important event. Retail trade, service industry, and government jobs 
presently provide the greatest opportunity for employment in Poway, 
although most of their residents travel to other areas of the county to 
work. The dedicated Twin Peaks staff exemplifies its vision of 
providing an excellent education for all students by making a conscious 
effort to continuously enhance and enrich the culture and conditions in 
the school so that teachers can teach more effectively, leading to 
students who become lifelong learners. This focused effort to strive 
for excellence is shared by teaches, parents, students, and community 
members who work together to create outstanding programs that maximize 
the potential of each student while acknowledging individual learning 
styles.
  Students feel this enthusiasm for learning and want to be at Twin 
Peaks, as shown by the average attendance rate of over 99 percent. 
Students maintain an active voice in perpetuating these traditions 
through the Associated Student Body that provides Friday spirit days, 
barbecues, dances, Teacher Appreciation Day, and Harbor Cruise 
excursions. Other yearly events include ski trips, Women's Day 
speakers, Shadow-A-Student Day, the geography bee and spelling bee, 
Sixth Grade Olympics, sixth grade camp, a seventh grade trip to 
Medieval Times, band concerts, and choral and drama productions. 
Visitors frequently comment on the positive atmosphere that pervades 
the campus. Twin Peaks Middle School truly is a wonderful place to 
teach and learn.

                          ____________________