[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 37 (Tuesday, March 20, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E398]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       APRIL SCHOOL OF THE MONTH

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CAROLYN McCARTHY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 20, 2001

  Mrs. McCARTHY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I have named Meadowbrook 
Elementary School in East Meadow as School of the Month in the Fourth 
Congressional District for April 2001.
  Thomas Mangano is Principal of Meadowbrook Elementary, and Dr. Robert 
R. Dillon is the Superintendent of Schools for the East Meadow Union 
Free School District.
  The school motto says it all--``Four Walls with the Future Inside.'' 
For over 45 years, Meadowbrook has been educating Long Island's future 
generations on the importance of accepting everyone as is. These 
children have learned that being ``different'' doesn't matter.
  Boasting a 100 percent teacher PTA membership, Meadowbrook fosters a 
culture of inclusion and emphasizes a strong school, family and 
community partnership. All teachers have been trained in the ``World of 
Difference'' program which fosters a respect for diversity at all 
levels. Meadowbrook is a multi-cultural school representing a variety 
of countries such as India, Pakistan, Columbia, South Korea, South 
Vietnam, China, El Salvador, Egypt, Israel and Russia.
  Meadowbrook, recognized as a New York State Blue Ribbon School, is 
one of five elementary schools in the East Meadow Public School 
District and has 510 students. Meadowbrook is one of two sites which 
provides educational services to children who face special educational 
challenges. This, combined with the school's emphasis on cultural 
awareness, teachers children that being different is good.
  I commend Meadowbrook for the focus on special education students. I 
have a learning disability that wasn't diagnosed until I was an adult, 
so I'm particularly gratified to know children are being helped at a 
young age. It's also comforting to me that these kids don't feel 
``different.'' I know that feeling, and it's not a good one.
  Congratulations, and keep up the good work.

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