[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 91 (Wednesday, June 27, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1224]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




HONORING DR. JERRY SASSON, PRINCIPAL OF TERRACE PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 
                          UPON HIS RETIREMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. ROB PORTMAN

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 27, 2001

  Mr. PORTMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Jerry 
Sasson, a friend and constituent, who is retiring after 11 years as 
principal of Terrace Park Elementary School (TPES) in the Second 
District of Ohio.
  Jerry is a special kind of principal because he is a special kind of 
person. He has been called a one-of-a-kind educator, who spends time in 
the classroom every day, knows the name and face of every one of his 
300 students, writes a personal, handwritten birthday card to each 
student every year, and sends students notes at home to recognize 
personal accomplishments. He encourages kindness and respect among 
students, teachers and parents, and is aware of each student's specific 
challenges and talents.
  An Ohio native, Jerry received his Doctor of Education in Educational 
Leadership from the University of Cincinnati in 1992. He graduated with 
a Master of Education in Guidance and Counseling and a Bachelor of 
Science in Education from the University of Dayton. Jerry received his 
school psychology certificate from Xavier University in 1972. Jerry 
began his career as a high school English teacher at Fenwick High 
School in Middletown, Ohio, and went on to become Fenwick's Director of 
Guidance and Counseling. From 1972 through 1979, he served the Hamilton 
County Office of Educational Services as a school psychologist and, in 
1979, he joined the Mariemont, Ohio City School District as Director of 
Special Services, a position he retained while serving as principal. In 
1990, he became the principal of TPES, a school within the Mariemont 
School District.
  Jerry is well known for his regular column on parenting, Parent 
Pride, which appears in the publication of the Mariemont City School 
District. He tackles tough subjects such as tolerance, assertiveness, 
morals and responsibility. He's not afraid to tell us as parents that 
the best way to raise happy, productive children is to create and 
maintain home, school and community environments that focus on 
nurturing and support for all. Jerry believes that most difficult 
school-related issues--such as bullying, behavior problems, or 
violence--are not just school issues, but family and community issues, 
too. And he's right: schools can create zero tolerance policies, but it 
all comes back to the attitudes and relationships at home.
  All of us in the Greater Cincinnati area are grateful for Jerry's 
many years of dedicated and caring service. We appreciate his 
outstanding leadership and friendship, and wish him well in many new 
challenges and opportunities to come.

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