[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 27 (Thursday, February 13, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E254]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 COMMENDING FACULTY AND STAFF OF EDWARD J. BRISCOE AND VAN ZANT--GUINN 
                           ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MARTIN FROST

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 13, 2003

  Mr. FROST. Mr Speaker, I rise today to commend the faculty and staff 
of Edward J. Briscoe and Van Zant-Guinn Elementary Schools. The 
principals of these two schools, Dr. Jennifer Brooks and Mrs. Constance 
Goines, respectively, are to be commended for the work they have done 
to improve the educational opportunities for young people in their 
communities. Both schools received the Title I, Part A Distinguished 
Performance Award. The Title I Award is given to a select number of 
schools around the country that exhibit outstanding performance in the 
areas of academic performance and achievement.
  At Briscoe Elementary, Dr. Brooks has been honored on numerous 
occasions for the work she has done to help broaden the horizons for 
the children that attend her school. Her dedication to improving the 
basic skills of school age children helped secure a 5-Star Rating from 
Texas Monthly Magazine--the highest rating the statewide magazine gives 
to public schools. Most recently Briscoe received a TEA (Texas 
Education Agency) Exemplary Rating. The school also takes part in the 
prestigious Bass Performance Hall Program and encourages conversational 
Spanish with specially designed curriculum.
  A few miles away to the north, children, parents, and the faculty of 
Van-Zant Guinn Elementary were also joyous in hearing the news that 
they too would be receiving a Title I Award. Their principal for the 
last nine years, Constance Goines, also deserves praise for the steps 
she has taken to make her school a success in the field of education. 
Van Zant-Guinn was also recognized by the TEA in 2002 as Exemplary and 
was given the agency's ``2002 Gold Performance Award'' for the progress 
that students made in Math and Reading. Mrs. Goines and her staff were 
also instrumental in initiating a program on campus called Homework 
Helper. Homework Helper provides kids who lack the ideal environment at 
home a more suitable place after school to do their homework.
  Mr. Speaker, it is my hope that the Title I, Part A Distinguished 
Performance Award will continue to help improve the lives of school 
children, not only in Fort Worth, but throughout the country. Once 
again, I congratulate Dr. Jennifer Brooks and Constance Goines for all 
they do in regards to the schools they represent, our country and their 
receiving this award.

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