[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 142 (Tuesday, November 6, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1735-E1736]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    CONGRATULATING DURHAM ELEMENTARY

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. FORTNEY PETE STARK

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 6, 2012

  Mr. STARK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate J. Haley Durham 
Elementary School of Fremont, California, on its recent designation as 
a 2012 National Blue Ribbon School. The National Blue Ribbon Schools 
Program recognizes public and private elementary, middle, and high 
schools where students exemplify high performance levels or where 
significant improvements have been made in students' levels of academic 
achievement. Since Teresa Bonaccorsi became principal of Durham 
Elementary in 2010, it has made drastic improvements in test scores to 
become part of the prestigious group of schools who receive the award.
  Just three years ago, Durham Elementary was part of the California 
Department of Education's Program Improvement list that tracks the 
progress of schools that have failed to meet the state's requirement of 
adequate yearly progress. Since taking the position as principal in 
early 2010 Mrs. Bonaccorsi has

[[Page E1736]]

led her school to improve its Academic Performance Index by 129 points, 
far exceeding the growth targets set by the state department.
  Principal Bonaccorsi came to Durham Elementary School with experience 
as a classroom teacher, literacy coach, and district administrator. 
With a supportive staff and team of dedicated teachers, she has led an 
impressive improvement path for her students, a third of whom are from 
low-income families. James Morris, Fremont's superintendent of schools, 
praised Principal Teresa Bonaccorsi for leading the quick turnaround. 
``When Teresa became principal, she got the staff on board, and they 
have done an incredible job,'' he said. ``You feel the pride in that 
school when you go there for what they've accomplished.''
  It is essential to note that Principal Bonaccorsi would not have been 
able to reach this achievement without the support of the teachers, 
staff, parents, and the students themselves. It is evident that 
Principal Bonaccorsi has had a vast array of support, and everyone 
associated with the school should feel a sense of pride for working 
together to achieve success.
  And I too could not be more proud of Durham Elementary's 
accomplishments. When the school was included on the Program 
Improvement list, parents had the option to move their children to 
another school, but they gave Mrs. Bonaccorsi a chance to turn the 
school around and I am happy they did. I have been a longtime advocate 
for equity and improvement in our public school system; I am honored to 
have such dedicated individuals in my district who exemplify those same 
goals. Principal Bonaccorsi is undeniably such an individual and I 
invite my colleagues to join me in congratulating her and her school on 
this prestigious award.

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