[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 89 (Friday, June 28, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1180]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   HONORING STUDENTS, PARENTS, TEACHERS, AND ADMINISTRATORS OF CSD 30

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOSEPH CROWLEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 27, 2002

  Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to acknowledge to the parents, 
teachers and students of Community School District 30 in Queens, NY.
  Community School District 30, comprised of the neighborhoods of 
Sunnyside, Woodside, Astoria, Long Island City, Jackson Heights, and 
East Elmhurst is one of America's most diverse school districts and 
truly represents the face of America.
  School District 30 serves some of the most diverse students in New 
York City and over 50 languages are spoken in the homes of the kids who 
go there.
  A recent state-mandated report noted that the most recently reported 
test scores are among the best in the city.
  In fact, for 2 years in a row, the district beat its target scores on 
State tests. And this year the suspension rate is down by 58.9 percent. 
These results are not coincidence. These results are because of the 
district's commitment to improving its schools. They employ innovative 
approaches to addressing the problems faced by all schools such as peer 
mediation and crisis intervention before students become a problem. 
Their Operation Return program, sends students with disciplinary 
problems to one school where they can get one-to-one counseling and 
receive excellent instruction in small groups. The program gives the 
kids confidence they need to succeed when they return to their 
permanent schools.
  School District 30 is a wonderful story and credit is due to a lot of 
people, but one I would like to credit is superintendent, Dr. Angelo 
Gimondo. And also the wonderful United Federation of Teachers members 
who give their heart and soul to teaching the kids of School District 
30. School District 30 can serve as an example, not only for other 
school districts, but also for us in Congress. School District 30 is an 
example of what happens when public officials--who provide adequate 
funding for educational programs--work with teachers, parents, and 
administrators to care for our young people.

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