[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 128 (Friday, October 13, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Page S10589]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   ADLAI E. STEVENSON HIGH SCHOOL NAMED 1999-2000 BLUE RIBBON SCHOOL

 Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, in 1982, the United States 
Department of Education initiated its Blue Ribbon Schools Program. In 
each year since, the Department has recognized schools throughout the 
country which excel in all areas of academic leadership, teaching and 
teacher development, and school curriculum. In other words, Blue Ribbon 
Schools are recognized because they are the finest public and private 
secondary schools our Nation has to offer. They are the schools that 
set the standard for which others strive. I am very proud to report 
that nine of the 198 blue Ribbon Schools names by Secretary Richard W. 
Riley for 1999-2000 are located in the State of Michigan, and I rise 
today to recognize Adlai E. Stevenson High School in Sterling Heights, 
Michigan, one of these nine schools.
  The mission of Stevenson High School is to provide every student with 
a positive learning environment, which will allow them to feel a part 
of a school community while at the same time achieving their greatest 
potential as responsible and contributing members of society. This 
mission is reflected in Stevenson's motto, ``School of Champions,'' 
symbolizing the importance that the faculty and administration place on 
developing champions in all aspects of life. Students are treated with 
dignity and with respect, as faculty view this as the most effective 
method to help them achieve excellence in school and in life of which 
they are capable.
  Indeed, the commitment of the faculty and administration towards 
making their school achieve to the highest level has been the most 
important key in it actually achieving at this level. 85 percent of the 
94 professional staff members hold masters, specialist or doctorate 
degrees. All staff serve on one of four target-goal committees, which 
is only one example among many of how the faculty and administration 
work cooperatively to facilitate both teaching and learning. They also 
take an active role in curriculum development, from researching new 
textbooks and other classroom materials to serving on curriculum 
committees at the district level. The faculty and administration 
recently witnessed the success of their efforts, as Stevenson High 
School recently completed its five-year journey to achieve North 
Central Outcome-Based Accreditation.
  The administration at Stevenson High School has also made a concerted 
effort to ensure that their school is as safe as possible. There is 
zero tolerance regarding weapons, violence, threats of violence and the 
use of alcohol or other drugs. A building security plan is in place and 
practiced on a regular basis, and an evacuation plan is in place to 
safeguard students and staff in an emergency or crisis. In addition, a 
support network has been established at Stevenson High School so 
effective that students trust the administration and faculty enough to 
forewarn them of potential problems. This is due to the success of 
student organizations such as the Students Offering Services Club, the 
Renaissance Club, the Cultural Diversity Council and the Peer Mediation 
Program. Because of these support groups, students feel connected to 
the school and to each other, and know that they are valued as 
individuals.
  Mr. President, I applaud the students, parents, faculty and 
administration of Stevenson High School, for I believe this is an award 
which speaks more to the effort of a united community that it does to 
the work of a few individuals. With that having been said, I would like 
to recognize Mr. Donald R. Nawrocki, the Principal of Stevenson High 
School, whose dedication to making his school one of the finest in our 
Nation has been instrumental in creating this community. On behalf of 
the entire United States Senate, I congratulate Adlai E. Stevenson High 
School on being named a Blue Ribbon School for 1999-2000, and wish the 
school continued success in the future.

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