[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 130 (Tuesday, October 17, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1811]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      ARLINGTON TRADITIONAL SCHOOL

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                          HON. JAMES P. MORAN

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 17, 2000

  Mr. MORAN of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend the 
parents, students and administrators at Arlington Traditional School. I 
will be pleased to welcome the students and teachers of this 
extraordinary school to the Capitol on Thursday, October 19, 2000.
  For the last 15 years this school has sponsored an extraordinary 
summer reading and civics program for its students.
  The Reading Challenge was started by its first principal, Dr. Frank 
Miller, who once spent the day on the roof of the school as a reward to 
the students for meeting their reading challenge.
  Since then, the challenge has grown under the leadership of its 
present principal, Ms. Holly Hawthorne.
  Mr. Speaker, the summer challenge program is based around themes 
including: ``Reading Around the Library,'' to learn more about the 
different kinds of books in the library; ``Read For the Gold,'' based 
on the Summer Olympics; ``Reading Around the World in Eight Days,'' to 
learn about world geography; ``Blast Off to Learning,'' that included a 
tour of the planets; ``Reading Is Monumental,'' to learn about 
important places in Washington, DC and Virginia; and ``From Sea to 
Shining Sea,'' to learn about the fifty states.
  The reward for the students' reading accomplishments has evolved into 
a celebration of reading known as Reading Carnival Day. Activities have 
included special events in each classroom, school wide parades, and 
special guest speakers.
  Over the years, the entire school has visited the public library and 
the Education Center where special guests read their favorite books to 
the students. In addition, a school-wide field trip was taken to the 
Air and Space Museum and to Mount Vernon for Colonial Days. These 
experiences undoubtedly enhance the interactive learning process for 
students beyond compare.
  Mr. Speaker, I take great pride in commending the Arlington 
Traditional School for its many accomplishments over the past 15 years.
  It is through their efforts that the prospect for the future is much 
brighter.

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