[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 40 (Monday, April 3, 2006)]
[Senate]
[Page S2728]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           GRAND RAPIDS HIGH SCHOOL, GRAND RAPIDS, MINNESOTA

 Mr. DAYTON. Mr. President, I rise today to honor Grand Rapids 
High School, in Grand Rapids, MN, which recently earned an Award for 
Excellence in Education for its exceptional and innovative achievements 
in educating children.
  Grand Rapids High School is truly a model of educational success. 
With 1,240 students, the school is one of only 13 Minnesota high 
schools to offer the International Baccalaureate Program, which is 
distinguished in the field of international education and helps 
students to be active learners, well-rounded people, and engaged world 
citizens. The founding organization works with 1,742 schools in 122 
countries to develop and offer three challenging programs to over 
200,000 young people ages 3 to 19. Grand Rapids High School 
participates in the Diploma Program.
  Grand Rapids High School offers a comprehensive curriculum that 
focuses on meeting students' wide range of needs. The school has 
embraced the national education reform effort known as Breaking Ranks 
II, which outlines the need for high schools to engage in the process 
of change that will ensure success for every high school student. 
Breaking Ranks II includes tools and recommendations in the areas of 
leadership for change, development of professional learning 
communities, the need to provide every student with meaningful adult 
relationships, and the development of personalized learning, to show 
students the meaning and relevancy of learning.
  The Grand Rapids High School focuses on literacy and personalization 
of environment. The literacy team has coordinated the training of all 
staff to offer common reading strategies throughout the curriculum. 
Within 1 year, test scores in all areas have reflected students' 
progress.
  The personalization of environment is designed to ensure that every 
student feels welcome, safe, and cared for. The school's BRAVE Team, 
Building Respect and Valuing Everyone, of students and staff take 
action to create an atmosphere of respect with the purpose of helping 
reduce stress caused by differences in levels of achievement.
  Much of the credit for Grand Rapids High School's success belongs to 
its principal, Jim Smokrovich, and the dedicated teachers. The students 
and staff at Grand Rapids 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 can develop the 
knowledge, skills, and attitudes for success throughout life. All of 
the faculty, staff, and students at Grand Rapids High School should be 
very proud of their accomplishments.
  I congratulate Grand Rapids High School in Grand Rapids for winning 
the Award for Excellence in Education and for its exceptional 
contributions to education in Minnesota.

                          ____________________