[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 107 (Tuesday, September 5, 2006)]
[Senate]
[Page S8961]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   WILSHIRE PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, SAINT ANTHONY VILLAGE, MINNESOTA

 Mr. DAYTON. Mr. President, today I honor Wilshire Park 
Elementary School, in Saint Anthony Village, MN, which recently earned 
an Award for Excellence in Education for its exceptional and innovative 
achievements in educating children.
  Wilshire Park Elementary School is truly a model of educational 
success. Wilshire's motto is: ``Making Kids #1 for Over 40 Years.'' The 
school's reputation is reflected in the fact that nearly half its 
pupils enter through open enrollment, and there is a long waiting list 
for acceptance. Families choose Wilshire because it is known for 
academic excellence and for its safe, caring environment
  Test scores at Wilshire Park Elementary School are well above the 
State average and continue to improve every year. Three years ago, 
Wilshire received three stars in reading and math from the Minnesota 
Department of Education. Two years ago, the school received four stars 
in reading and three in math. Last year, Wilshire received four stars 
in reading and five stars in math.
  However, test scores and ratings alone do not fully represent a 
school's true success. The principal and teachers at Wilshire Park 
Elementary believe many other factors influence children's ability to 
learn, qualities often better revealed through personal stories 
describing an atmosphere of caring and nurturing.
  The true sense of the Wilshire community is evident from the support 
the entire school gives to children experiencing tragedies in their 
lives. One Wilshire student has been on kidney dialysis for several 
years, waiting to receive a transplant. Last fall, the school held a 
dance to raise funds to help cover the family's medical expenses. Also, 
earlier this year, staff rallied to support a first-grader whose mother 
died suddenly.
  Wilshire was the first school in the five-State area to have a K-Kids 
Club, which is a Kiwanis Club for children to work on projects to 
benefit the whole community.
  Wilshire Park Elementary School is also proud of the tremendous 
volunteer support it receives from the community. The school currently 
has 252 active volunteers, of whom 70 to 80 work at the school at least 
1 to 2 days per week. These volunteers not only include parents of 
Wilshire pupils; aunts, grandparents, and community members are also 
regulars in the volunteer room.
  Much of the credit for Wilshire Park Elementary School's success 
belongs to its recently retired principal, Dr. Bonnie Kirkpatrick, and 
the dedicated teachers and staff. The pupils and staff at Wilshire Park 
Elementary School understand that, in order to be successful, a school 
must go beyond achieving academic success; it must also provide a 
nurturing environment where children can develop the knowledge, skills, 
and attitudes for success throughout life. All of the faculty, staff, 
and pupils at Wilshire Park Elementary School should be very proud of 
their accomplishments.
  I congratulate Wilshire Park Elementary School in Saint Anthony 
Village for winning the Award for Excellence in Education and for its 
exceptional contributions to education in Minnesota.

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