[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 110 (Monday, September 18, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1513-E1514]
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 Black 
Mountain Middle School in Penasquitos and its leaders, Principal Miguel 
Carillo and Superintendent, Dr. Bob Reeves. Black Mountain 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 Black 
Mountain Middle School's superior work be included in the record:
  Black Mountain Middle School, located in Rancho Penasquitos, a suburb 
of San Diego, California, is a vibrant, progressive school community 
that continually strives to reach the district's mission of all All 
Students Learning--Whatever It Takes. They have a 25-year tradition of 
excellence, high expectations, and strong support for student learning, 
Staff, parents, and students work together to create a dynamic learning 
environment which engages students in learning and achievement. A 
caring, committed staff provides the cornerstone while standards, 
varied learning opportunities, and enriched curriculum provide the 
foundation for our successful school. As a California Distinguished 
School and former Blue Ribbon School recipient, Black Mountain meets 
the needs of a diverse student population in a residential area in the 
north county of San Diego.
  Black Mountain recognizes the challenges its students will face as 
they enter the 21st century. Therefore they provide them with a solid 
academic program that lays the foundation of basic skills through a 
standards-based curriculum. Their three-period basic education 
configuration provides the framework for the study of language arts and 
social studies.

[[Page E1514]]

Combined, these core academic areas provide students with a powerfully 
integrated approach to learning that develops and enhances critical 
thinking and problem solving. Math courses provides students with a 
structure of concrete facts and skills and then make connections of 
abstract ideas to the real world. Science lays the groundwork of 
scientific ideas and principles for the students through their 
exploration and examination of content and application. Electives 
provide students with opportunities to explore the world of the arts, 
foreign language, and technology. With Poway Unified providing the 
foundation, Black Mountain forges ahead to create a community of 
learners that continually strive to attain their site mission of 
developing lifelong, active learners.

                          ____________________