[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 2 (Wednesday, January 18, 2006)]
[Senate]
[Page S8]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             PILOT KNOB ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, EAGAN, MINNESOTA

 Mr. DAYTON. Mr. President, today I wish to honor Pilot Knob 
Elementary School in Eagan, MN, which recently earned an Award for 
Excellence in Education for its exceptional and innovative achievements 
in educating children.
  Pilot Knob Elementary School, which serves a diverse population of 
375 children in kindergarten through grade four, is truly a model of 
educational success. The school boasts a 96 percent attendance rate; 
test scores are well above average for most students; and many of the 
teachers are leaders in their fields. Pilot Knob Elementary has also 
devised an innovative approach to address bullying in school. Through 
its ``Take Time To Be Kind'' program, nine fourth graders donate their 
recess time to spread goodwill in the hallways, creating a safe and 
kind learning environment for all students.
  In addition to its students, Pilot Knob Elementary is also committed 
to its community. Recently, students raised $1,700 for UNICEF, to help 
victims of the tsunami in South Asia, and a similarly successful 
fundraising effort benefited a local shelter for homeless families. The 
school regularly opens its doors to the citizens of Eagan, welcoming 
not only staff and students but also parents, siblings, and neighbors 
to special school activities. Pilot Knob hosts a wide range of 
community events: from musical concerts to art and book fairs, to 
science experiment demonstrations, to ice cream socials.
  Much of the credit for Pilot Knob's success belongs to its principal, 
Byron Schwab, who was Minnesota's Principal of the Year in 2001. 
Principal Schwab and the dedicated faculty at Pilot Knob Elementary 
understand that, in order to be successful, a school must go beyond 
achieving academic success; it must also create a nurturing 
environment, where students learn the importance of respecting one 
another and the value of their community. All of the faculty, staff, 
and students at Pilot Knob Elementary should be very proud of their 
accomplishments.
  I congratulate Pilot Knob Elementary School in Eagan for winning the 
Award for Excellence in Education and for its exceptional contributions 
to education in Minnesota.

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