[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 133 (Wednesday, December 6, 2006)]
[Senate]
[Page S11321]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          ORCHARD LAKE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, LAKEVILLE, MINNESOTA

 Mr. DAYTON. Mr. President, today I honor Orchard Lake 
Elementary School, in Lakeville, MN, which recently earned an Award for 
Excellence in Education for its exceptional and innovative achievements 
in educating children.
  Orchard Lake Elementary School is truly a model of educational 
success. The staff at OLE, always seeking to improve professionally, 
value in-service days and use this time to study new and innovative 
teaching techniques. Every year the school does a book study that 
addresses ways to increase achievement for students. The teaching staff 
takes on new challenges, studies best-practice ideas, has conversations 
across grade levels, offers mutual support, and applies solutions.
  In the spring of 2004, Orchard Lake Elementary was the first school 
in Minnesota to receive the Tekne Award for Innovations in Teaching. 
Mark Deming, the media specialist, had pupils in grades 5 and 6 arrive 
before school and called them the ``Morning Crew.'' The children 
learned to design segments of school news, interview classmates and 
staff, and videotape and edit productions so that they could produce 
the morning announcements. In addition, they created their own music 
using the Garage Band program on the school computers. The morning 
announcements were shown over the school's media system and produced 
exclusively by children for all classrooms to enjoy. This system is 
still in place for use by fourth- and fifth-graders.
  Orchard Lake Elementary teachers work with parents as partners in 
education. Five years ago, when space became a concern, the PTO 
purchased a portable computer lab. Last year, the PTO purchased 14 new 
computers and has entered Phase 2 of purchasing all new computers for 
the lab classroom. The PTO recently held a fund-raiser to purchase new 
playground equipment. OLE had a 99 percent parent-participation rate at 
parent-teacher conferences. The school has a gifted education program, 
as well as a targeted services program, which offers extra instruction 
in reading and math for struggling students. Involved parents support 
their children by working together with teachers, who value the 
parents' active contributions.
  Orchard Lake Elementary provides a safe and nurturing environment, 
both educationally and emotionally. Teachers build relationships with 
pupils through a community circle and discussions of life skills. The 
children take part in student council, art shows, music concerts, 
morning announcements, band, and academic choice in the classroom.
  Orchard Lake Elementary School was recognized by the State Department 
of Education as a five-star school in both math and reading. This 
distinction is particularly impressive, considering that Orchard Lake, 
which has a high concentration of low-income students, is a Title 1 
school.
  Much of the credit for Orchard Lake Elementary School's success 
belongs to its principal, Karen Roos, and the dedicated teachers. The 
pupils and staff at Orchard Lake 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 pupils can 
develop the knowledge, skills, and attitudes for success throughout 
life. All of the faculty, staff, and children at Orchard Lake 
Elementary School should be very proud of their accomplishments!
  I congratulate Orchard Lake Elementary School in Lakeville for 
winning the Award for Excellence in Education and for its exceptional 
contributions to education in Minnesota.

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