[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 8 (Monday, January 30, 2006)]
[Senate]
[Page S325]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION

 Mr. DAYTON. Mr. President, I rise today to honor Mayo High 
School, in Rochester, MN, which recently earned an Award for Excellence 
in Education for its exceptional and innovative achievements in 
educating children.
  Mayo High School is truly a model of educational success. Several 
years ago, the school established three major goals and developed an 
action plan to achieve them: No. 1, to improve the graduation rate; No. 
2, to address a disproportionate number of suspensions of racial 
minority students; and No. 3, to improve poor math and reading test 
scores.
  Several key school leaders are largely responsible for the school's 
attaining these goals.
  Ms. Joan Bachman, who chaired the diversity committee, initiated a 
multiyear plan, working with the community, staff, and students to make 
Mayo High School a more welcoming place for all students. Through her 
leadership, the school has won the District's Diversity Award for each 
of the last 4 years. She also won the Rochester Diversity Council's 
Educators Award last year.
  Ms. Jeri Brown oversees the school's conflict mediation program and 
trains students in conflict mediation skills. The students who receive 
conflict mediation training perform nearly 400 mediations per year, 
achieving a 93-percent success rate.
  Mr. Ron Randall, chair of the math department, and Barb Milburn, 
chair of the English department, have done a superior job in improving 
the academic performance of all students. Last year, Mayo received the 
State's Five Star rating in math.
  Recognizing that many of the students receiving suspensions for 
behavioral reasons were the same students who least could afford time 
away from school, Mayo modified its policies. By focusing on addressing 
causes of students' poor behavior, Mayo has avoided loss of valuable 
class time. Consequently, suspension rates have improved, and 
graduation rates have dramatically risen. Last year, the school boasted 
a 95-percent graduation rate.
  Much of the credit for Mayo High School's success belongs to its 
principal, Dr. John Frederikson, and his dedicated teachers. The 
students and staff at Mayo High School understand that, in order to be 
successful, a school must go beyond achieving academic success; it must 
also provide a nurturing environment where students develop 
the knowledge, skills, and attitudes for a lifetime of success. All of 
the faculty, staff, and students at Mayo High School should be very 
proud of their accomplishments.

  I congratulate Mayo High School in Rochester, MN, for winning the 
Award for Excellence in Education and for its exceptional contributions 
to education in Minnesota.

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