[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 61 (Wednesday, May 5, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E755]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO MS. ESTHER WRIGHT

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DONALD M. PAYNE

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                         Wednesday, May 5, 2004

  Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, Ms. Esther Dolores Wright has dedicated her 
life to the service of others as an educator for over 40 years. She 
began her teaching career in Newark, N.J. in 1964, and over the years, 
she has literally touched thousands of lives in a positive way. Ms. 
Wright received her Masters of Arts in Education with a concentration 
in Administration and Supervision from the University of Virginia in 
May, 1976. She has served the students, parents, and teachers of Maple 
Avenue School as an Administrator for over 15 years.
  During her tenure as Principal of Maple Avenue School, she has 
presided over many important changes to the school facility and 
programs, including complete renovations to the school auditorium, 
gymnasium, and playground area, as well as the establishment of a state 
of the art science lab and the creation of a computer network, which 
provides internet access to all of Maple Avenue School's primary and 
middle school students. They have implemented a distance learning 
program in conjunction with the New Jersey State Department of 
Education, which recognized Maple Avenue School with a `Best Practices' 
award. She has continued to provide support for innovative programs to 
encourage student achievement such as the Morning, After School, and 
Saturday Academy enrichment programs; character development programs 
such as Best Friends for girls and Best Men for boys; the Afternoon and 
Evening After School Youth Development Programs, which serve the 
student and community populations; and Project ACCEL, which reduces 
high school drop out rates and retention rates for students.
  In addition, under Ms. Wright's guidance and direction, Maple Avenue 
School and students have been at the forefront of a number of 
innovative initiatives such as Law Day, Career Day, Instrumental and 
Choral Music programs, the Talented and Gifted Program, and a school 
wide Science Fair. Maple Avenue School students have represented the 
school in the district Science Fair, Math Fair, and Technology Fair, 
and have consistently won local and regional Art awards. In addition, 
their debate team has been City Champion for several consecutive years 
and their basketball team played in the 2003 District Championship 
finals.
  During Ms. Wright's time as Principal, Maple Avenue School has also 
been recognized by the district for achievements in Literacy, Science, 
and Math. Based upon 8th grade GEPA scores for the past two years, 
Maple Avenue School has been cited as one of the top 5 schools and one 
of the top 10 schools, respectively, in the district in Literacy. 
During the same time period, Maple Avenue School has been recognized as 
one of the most improved schools and as one of the top 10 schools in 
the district in Science. During the 2001-2002 school year, Maple Avenue 
School has been one of the top 10 most improved schools in Math, 
according to ESPA scores, and has been a past winner of the Math 
Olympics and most recently went to the district semi-finals.
  Maple Avenue graduates are accepted into the Newark Public School's 
Magnet High School Programs; Arts High; Science High; University, 
Technology, and Essex County Vocational High School; as well as area 
Private and Catholic High Schools at a rate of 30 percent. Many more 
participate in Magnet Career Academies, which provide transition into 
skilled career opportunities after High School.
  I salute Ms. Wright for her dedication to the students, parents, and 
teachers in our community, and I am proud to have her in my district. 
Mr. Speaker, please join me in extending my thanks to Ms. Wright for 
her lifetime of public service, and I invite my colleagues to join me 
in recognizing the achievements of the Maple Avenue School.

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