[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 132 (Tuesday, December 5, 2006)]
[Senate]
[Pages S11184-S11185]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       CHALLENGER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, THIEF RIVER FALLS, MINNESOTA

 Mr. DAYTON. Mr. President, today I wish to honor Challenger 
Elementary School, in Thief River Falls, MN, which will soon receive an 
Award for Excellence in Education for its exceptional and innovative 
achievements in educating children.
  Challenger Elementary School is truly a model of educational success. 
In 2002, the staff at Challenger initiated a grassroots effort to 
improve the quality of education at the school by implementing a 
successful literacy program. Their efforts resulted in the Literacy 
Collaborative, which is designed to improve reading for all children.
  The school's framework for literacy lessons is based on providing 
multiple

[[Page S11185]]

opportunities to participate in reading and writing projects. Recently, 
Challenger Elementary pupils partnered with the Arctic Cat Corporation 
to create educational books about snowmobiles and all-terrain vehicles 
for elementary-age children. These books now are being sold nationwide.
  Challenger Elementary has benefited greatly from the strong support 
of the school board, which backed the Literacy Collaborative 
financially, as well as the community, which donated more than $40,000 
for the school's book room. To date, staff members and volunteers have 
given more than 1,160 hours of their time preparing the book room, 
which boasts more than 5,000 volumes. Clearly, the Literacy 
Collaborative is more than a school initiative; it is also a prized 
community initiative that has been embraced by many volunteers and 
generous donors.
  The program's success is evident in the students' strong test scores. 
Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment scores have improved since the 
initiation of the Literacy Collaborative, and Northwest Evaluation 
Association scores are also on the rise. In 2006, Challenger Elementary 
received four stars in reading from the Minnesota Department of 
Education.
  Much of the credit for Challenger Elementary School's success belongs 
to its principal, Patrick Marolt, and the dedicated teachers. The 
children and staff at Challenger 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 Challenger Elementary 
School should be very proud of their accomplishments.
  I congratulate Challenger Elementary School in Thief River Falls for 
winning the Award for Excellence in Education and for its exceptional 
contributions to education in Minnesota.

                          ____________________