[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 14 (Wednesday, February 8, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E86]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       SMALL VERMONT SCHOOL WINS NATIONAL RECOGNITION IN THE ARTS

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                          HON. BERNARD SANDERS

                               of vermont

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 8, 2006

  Mr. SANDERS. Mr. Speaker, I wish to speak today about an 
extraordinary achievement by the teachers, administration and students 
of a small school in Vermont.
  The Robinson Elementary School of Starksboro was one of five schools 
in the Nation chosen to receive this year's ``Creative Ticket National 
Schools of Distinction Award.'' The Creative Ticket School Awards 
provides national recognition ``of the role individual schools play in 
providing a creative learning environment for outstanding student 
achievement'' by recognizing ``schools that have developed exemplary 
arts education programs.''
  The arts are a vital part of education, by connecting us through 
words and images and sounds to our past, by connecting us to one 
another in a vibrant human community, and by helping us to imagine a 
future where none are isolated or lonely or without hope. The wonderful 
work done at Robinson Elementary School is testimony that the arts are 
alive and flourishing--not just in, but especially, in the small towns 
of Vermont. And most especially, in Starksboro, a town of just under 
2,000 residents.
  This award is testimony to the inspired teaching which takes place at 
Robinson Elementary School, where art, drama, music and writing are 
integrated into the school curriculum. In particular, let me single out 
Vera Ryersbach, the art teacher at Robinson Elementary.
  And of course I want to single out the students, for schools exist 
for their students, and the success of any program is measured by how 
hard and eagerly students pursue their studies. Twenty-five of the 
students at the 142-student school will be going to the Kennedy Center 
to perform on the Millennium Stage this coming March. But before that, 
there will be a community dance celebration in Starksboro, so all the 
students and community members can share in this great achievement.
  Congratulations, too, to Robinson's principal Dan Noel, and to the 
supporting group for this endeavor, the Vermont Alliance for Arts 
Education and Anne Tyler, VAAE's executive director, and Elizabeth 
Miller, VAAE chair.

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