[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 9 (Tuesday, January 31, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E23]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




ELMONT MEMORIAL JUNIOR-SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL RECEIVING THE DISPELLING THE 
                               MYTH AWARD

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CAROLYN McCARTHY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 31, 2006

  Mrs. McCARTHY. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to announce that on November 
3, 2005, Elmont Memorial Junior-Senior High School, which is in my 
district, was honored with the Dispelling the Myth Award at the 
Education Trust National Conference.
  Elmont Memorial is one of five schools recognized for ``dispelling 
the myth'' that poor and minority children cannot learn to high levels. 
At Elmont, 75 percent of the students are African American, 12 percent 
Latino, and 24 percent are low income. Most ninth-graders become 
seniors and almost every senior graduates, with a majority going on to 
attend 4-year colleges. In 2004, Elmont had the Nation's highest number 
of African-American students who received college credit on the 
Advanced Placement World History exam.
  The success at Elmont Memorial is due in no small part to its staff. 
Former principal, Al Harper, who is now the superintendent of the 
Elmont Union Free School District, has said ``Because a child is poor 
doesn't mean he can't learn.'' With the high standards set at Elmont, 
Principal John Capozzi takes pains to ensure teachers are carefully 
selected, and teachers are forewarned about the intense expectation at 
the school. Teachers at Elmont Memorial are considered to be part of a 
larger enterprise with a lot of support and encouragement, not 
punishment. Elmont Memorial's staff takes a coherent approach to both 
instruction and the building of personal relationships among adults and 
students which has led to high achievement.
  In addition to former Principal Harper, and Principal Capozzi, Elmont 
Memorial boasts many other superb staff members including: Alicia 
Calabrese, English chairperson; Karen Dunkley, social studies teacher; 
Russell Marino, math teacher; Baytoram Ramharack, social studies 
chairperson; Wendy Tague, English teacher; Chris Yee, art and 
technology chairperson. Elmont also has a hardworking, driven and 
determined student body. Many students are in the school building long 
after classes end, as part of clubs, sports, or getting help from 
teachers.
  Elmont Memorial's success can be attributed to school system unity, a 
supportive school board and superintendent, teachers, administrative 
staff and the students themselves. Mr. Speaker, it is with pride and 
admiration I offer my congratulations to Elmont Memorial.

                          ____________________