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




              BAXTER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, BAXTER, MINNESOTA

 Mr. DAYTON. Mr. President, today I honor Baxter Elementary 
School, in Baxter, MN, which will soon earn an Award for Excellence in 
Education for its exceptional and innovative achievements in educating 
children.
  Baxter Elementary School is truly a model of educational success. 
Located in one of Minnesota's most rapidly growing communities, Baxter 
Elementary School is setting a high standard for academic achievement 
throughout the school district. Baxter Elementary is committed to 
continuous curriculum review and staff development. The school offers a 
variety of enrichment opportunities to children, such as the Junior 
Achievement Program and the Junior Great Books Program. An afterschool 
program called Pals at Play is offered for children who need support in 
certain curricular areas.
  Baxter Elementary has developed an innovative program called Teachers 
Needing Teachers, designed to assist pupils who are struggling in the 
classroom but who do not meet the criteria for special education 
services. The Teachers Needing Teachers Program is composed of an 
intervention team of experienced teaching professionals: a 
representative from each grade level at the school, the principal, a 
special education teacher, and the school's home-to-school 
collaborative liaison. The team has helped colleagues improve the 
classroom performance of children who are challenged academically and/
or behaviorally.
  Baxter Elementary has an active Parent-Teacher Organization that 
contributes greatly to the excellence of the school. The recent efforts 
of the PTO resulted in a significant expansion of the book collection 
in the library, as well as upgrades to the computer lab, playgrounds, 
and the Literacy Collaborative book room.
  The success of Baxter Elementary is also reflected in its test 
scores. In 2005, the school was awarded five stars in reading and math 
from the Minnesota Department of Education.
  Much of the credit for Baxter Elementary School's success belongs to 
its principal, Erin Herman, and the dedicated teachers. The children 
and staff at Baxter Elementary 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 Baxter Elementary School should be 
very proud of their accomplishments.
  I congratulate Baxter Elementary School in Baxter for winning the 
Award for Excellence in Education and for its exceptional contributions 
to education in Minnesota.

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