[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 53 (Thursday, May 2, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E681]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


   HONORING CIBOLA SCHOOL FOR ITS DEMONSTRATED RECORD OF OUTSTANDING 
                          STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. ED PASTOR

                               of arizona

                    in the house of representatives

                         Wednesday, May 1, 2002

  Mr. PASTOR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Cibola High School in 
Yuma, Arizona, for its demonstrated record of outstanding student 
achievement. Because national statistics, gathered through the U.S. 
Census and educational surveys, have indicated high Hispanic drop-out 
rates at both the high school and college levels, I am especially 
pleased with the achievements of Cibola High School. Its student 
population is 75 percent Hispanic and Cibola has demonstrated that it 
is the success orientation of the school that impacts the success of 
the students. Cibola is not located in a wealthy school district and 
does not limit its student admissions to only the brightest or most 
successful students in the school district.
  As Jon Walk, Cibola's first and founding principal indicated when the 
school opened 11 years ago, ``(we) had the opportunity of a lifetime, 
the chance to establish the culture of a school.'' Fortunately for the 
children who attended Cibola over the years, Jon Walk, his teachers and 
his administrators established a culture of success and made it work.
  The results of that ``success culture'' are impressive: Daily 
attendance runs at 96 percent; 89 percent of the class of 2001 went on 
to college; the graduation rate is 86 percent; the drop out rate is 
only 2 percent; the class of 2001 was awarded a total of 2.5 million 
dollars in scholarship money. In addition, Cibola High School achieved 
an A+ School Award for 1996 and has produced 7 Flinn Scholars since 
1995 with 3 of that 7 being in the Spring of 2001.
  How did they do it? The secrets to this outstanding success have 
evolved through caring, committed principals, teachers, administrators 
and staff. They evolved a system for making the students at Cibola High 
School believe in themselves, and be diligent about being the best they 
could be. Cibola promotes a culture of academic achievement that 
supports both students and teachers. My Cibola High School friends have 
shared the secrets of their success: Cibola is family and all members 
will be supported towards success. Freshmen are told they are preparing 
for college. The entire school builds a shared vision of success. Both 
teachers and students are supported to achieve their highest potential. 
It is a healthy environment with a lot of trust. Adults develop strong 
relationships with students. Positive attitudes and upbeat interactions 
are encouraged. Communication is emphasized. Each student has a 4 Year 
Plan. There are Freshmen Counseling Teams that work at getting to know 
each student. There are Senior Packets. Parents are encouraged to be 
engaged and active in their student's school life. Cibola sets high 
academic standards that are paired with appropriate resources.
  These are attitudes and formulas that can easily be replicated 
throughout our nation's schools. We need to see all of our children 
succeeding. With Cibola High School, we have a model that is working 
superbly and which emphasizes the interaction of its people as the key. 
Thank you Cibola High School for all you have done for the children of 
Yuma and for the guide you have provided for our nation. I work for the 
day that all of our nation's children will be given this same 
educational environment.

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