[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 37 (Wednesday, March 29, 2006)]
[Senate]
[Page S2530]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              VIRGINIA PUBLIC SCHOOLS, VIRGINIA, MINNESOTA

 Mr. DAYTON. Mr. President, I rise today to honor the Virginia 
Public Schools, in Virginia, MN, which recently earned an Award for 
Excellence in Education for exceptional and innovative achievements in 
educating children.
  The Virginia Public School District is truly a model of educational 
success. The district has superbly nurtured students' progress in 
academics and in the performing arts. Its educators are very proud of 
their students' accomplishments and believe that the school system 
provides young people with the highest quality of education in a 
wonderful learning environment.
  Nestled in the center of Minnesota's Iron Range, the Virginia Public 
School District has endured the ups and downs of a difficult economic 
climate and declining school enrollments, while continuing to produce 
extraordinary student successes, academically and artistically.
  In 2004-2005, 100 percent of the seniors at Virginia Public Schools 
passed the Basic Standards Tests in reading, writing, and mathematics. 
Students at Virginia Secondary School are qualified to enrol in many 
challenging, upper-level courses, including honors British literature, 
advanced placement biology, physics, and Spanish 3, honors American 
literature, accounting, economics, history, and medical careers.
  Much of Virginia's success has been attributed to a caring, well-
seasoned staff of veteran teachers. Nearly 80 percent of Virginia's 
faculty have 10 or more years of teaching experience. Moreover, 54 
percent of Virginia's teachers hold master's degrees.
  In addition to strong academic programs, Virginia is justly proud of 
its extraordinary music programs. The band, orchestra, and choir 
students are second to none in the region and well known throughout 
Minnesota. The orchestra program, which is the only string program 
remaining on the Iron Range, is one of only a handful existing outside 
of the Twin Cities metropolitan area.
  The Virginia vocal music program has a strong tradition of 
excellence, reaching back decades. Virginia's A Cappela Choir, the 
school's premier choir, has consistently won superior ratings at the 
State music contest.
  The Virginia band program is led by the award-winning Virginia 
Marching Blues, who have traveled across the United States and Canada, 
winning numerous awards and splendidly representing Virginia and the 
State of Minnesota. The jazz band and the concert band also 
consistently win superior ratings at the State music contest, achieving 
this distinction virtually every year for three decades.
  Much of the credit for the Virginia School District's success belongs 
to its superintendent, Phil Johnson; the dedicated principals, Michael 
Krebsbach, Willie Spelts, and Kraig Konietzko; and all the district's 
teachers. The students and staff at the Virginia Public Schools 
understand that, in order to be successful, a school must go beyond 
achieving academic success; it must also provide a nurturing 
environment where students can develop the knowledge, skills, and 
attitudes for a lifetime of success. All of the faculty, staff, and 
students at the Virginia Public School District should be very proud of 
their accomplishments.
  I congratulate the Virginia Public Schools in Virginia for winning 
the Award for Excellence in Education and for exceptional contributions 
to education in Minnesota.

                          ____________________