[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 1 (Wednesday, January 23, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E3]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  JANUARY SCHOOL DISTRICT OF THE MONTH

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                         HON. CAROLYN McCARTHY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 23, 2002

  Mrs. McCARTHY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I have named the Franklin 
Square School District as School District of the Month in the Fourth 
Congressional District for January 2002. The schools are Polk Street, 
Washington Street and John Street Elementary Schools.
  This month I've decided to honor three schools in the Franklin Square 
School District for their growth and innovativeness. Dr. Timothy 
Lafferty is the outstanding Superintendent of Schools in Franklin 
Square. Primarily serving the residents of Franklin Square, the school 
district also adds portions of these neighboring communities: Garden 
City South, West Hempstead, Elmont and Malverne. The administrators of 
the schools are: Gloria Perry, Principal, Polk Street Elementary 
School; Vincent Butera, Principal, Washington Street Elementary School; 
and Ceil Candreva, Principal, John Street Elementary School.
  Today, all three elementary schools in the district held 
groundbreaking ceremonies for renovations and additions to be completed 
in this new year.
  Any time I see Long Island schools growing, expanding and renovating, 
I'm heartened for our future. The very structure of a building is so 
vital to the inside health and well-being of the students, staff and 
faculty on the inside.
  Dr. Lafferty and his administration prepare children to be 
contributing members of society along with their academic instruction. 
Providing a ``Foundation for Success'' is the driving force that shapes 
all programs in the Franklin Square School District's three elementary 
schools.
  Two programs cited as ``exemplifying the spirit'' of the schools are 
the Accelerated Reading Program and the Character Development Program. 
The goal of the Accelerated Reading Program is to ensure that students 
read more books independently outside of the school day. Each teacher 
maintains a bulletin board which spotlights students' progress toward 
achieving their goals.
  The Character Development Program aims to teach students values by 
stressing practice in addition to study and discussion. Through the 
implementation of cooperative learning, students learn to practice 
leadership strategies, impulse control and responsibility. Students 
learn to be good citizens. The vision of Franklin Square School 
District--A Foundation for Success--prepares Long Island students for a 
lifetime of learning. It is a vision shared by all members of Franklin 
Square community, including students, teachers, administrators and 
parents.
  The Fourth Congressional District salutes the Franklin Square School 
District's focus on the future. I congratulate all members of the 
Franklin Square School District community on this honor.

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