[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 82 (Thursday, May 17, 2007)]
[House]
[Page H5337]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  ROTELLA INTERDISTRICT MAGNET SCHOOL

  (Mr. MURPHY of Connecticut asked and was given permission to address 
the House for 1 minute.)
  Mr. MURPHY of Connecticut. Mr. Speaker, I am especially proud to rise 
today in honor or the Rotella Interdistrict Magnet School in Waterbury, 
Connecticut, which recently received the Ronald Simpson Deserved Merit 
Award. This award, considered the highest recognition for magnet 
schools in the Nation, is given to only one school a year for its 
exceptional academic standards and achievements.
  The Rotella School is a dynamic learning community of 600 students in 
pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. Rotella serves urban and suburban 
students who represent a diverse group of backgrounds from around 
Waterbury. Its unique, art-based curriculum challenges students to 
excel, and encourages them to express themselves through arts.
  Students who are exposed to the arts have higher test scores, better 
school attendance and increased self-discipline. Rotella is a testament 
to the power of arts in education.
  Mr. Speaker, I am deeply proud to stand here today in recognition of 
Rotella, its administrators, its students for their contribution to our 
community. They are truly an inspiration to Waterbury. I also commend 
Rotella's principal, Gina Calabrese, for outstanding work at Rotella 
and receiving this distinguished award.

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