[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 107 (Friday, July 18, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1532]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  HONORING EASTSIDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

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                         HON. GINNY BROWN-WAITE

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, July 18, 2003

  Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a special 
elementary school in my Fifth Congressional District of Florida that 
has gone to great lengths in pursuit of academic improvement. Eastside 
Elementary School in Hernando County, which just 2 years ago, received 
a ``D'' rating on Florida's statewide school accountability scale this 
year has earned an ``A'' grade for its impressive scholastic 
turnaround.
  The hard work of the students, teachers, and administrators at 
Eastside is certainly to be commended as are the parents of children at 
Eastside, whose involvement in their students' educations is critically 
important.
  Two years ago Eastside's students' test scores lagged behind others 
in the State, a large percentage of parents were unable to recall their 
children's teachers' names, and many students began elementary school 
not being able to recite the alphabet.
  Eastside's teachers and administrators went ``back to basics'' and 
restructured their curricula to include an increased focus on the 
fundamentals of early education. They enlisted the help of the 
community and encouraged parents to become more involved. The staff at 
Eastside turned a negative into a positive, using their ``D'' grade as 
motivation to change for the better.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that you join me in congratulating Eastside 
Elementary School's faculty for their hard work and dedication to 
improving the quality of education for tomorrow's leaders. I also ask 
that you join me in honoring the students, whose arduous work resulted 
in positive change for Eastside, and for their own academic careers.

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