[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 169 (Tuesday, November 17, 2015)]
[Senate]
[Page S8013]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                RECOGNIZING WASHINGTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

 Ms. HEITKAMP. Mr. President, I want to congratulate the 
students, faculty, and parents of Washington Elementary School, located 
in Valley City, ND, on being awarded the 2015 National Blue Ribbon 
School Award.
  Founded in 1982, the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program recognizes 
public and private elementary, middle, and high schools where students 
perform at very high levels or where significant improvements are being 
made in students' academic achievement. A National Blue Ribbon Schools 
flag overhead has become a mark of excellence in education recognized 
by everyone from parents to policymakers in thousands of communities. 
Since the program's founding, the U.S. Department of Education has 
bestowed this coveted award to just over 7,500 of America's best 
schools.
  Washington Elementary School serves nearly 265 students in grades 4 
through 6 and was the only school in North Dakota to receive the honor 
of exemplary high-performing school in 2015. Receiving recognition as a 
National Blue Ribbon School signifies the hard work and dedication of 
the educators, students, and parents involved, and I have no doubt its 
students are on a path to success. At Washington Elementary, every 
staff member understands that every student, regardless of background, 
is important and deserving of the best. To support its students, the 
school provides access to a reading program that has been vital in 
ensuring targeted assistance for those students who require additional 
support. Through this program and others, the school continues to excel 
and surpass necessary benchmarks.
  As school leadership states, ``The success of Washington Elementary 
cannot be attributed to one person, program, or initiative. Rather it 
is the collective effort of all the outstanding people involved--the 
students, staff, parents, and community members who continue to strive 
for excellence each and every day.'' It is through this dedication that 
the school provides access to a reading pilot program that enhances 
reading and language skills, a math and science curriculum supplemented 
by STEM activities, and history courses that emphasize creativity and 
flexibility in teaching.
  The Valley City Public Schools mission statement reads, ``Together we 
are building a legacy of excellence, one student at a time.'' This 
mission embodies all that Washington Elementary is working to 
accomplish by looking at the needs of each individual student as well 
as providing a safe and respectful learning environment that breeds 
success. I wish the very best to the community of Valley City and 
congratulations to all engaged at Washington Elementary for achieving 
this high honor. Thank you for your commitment to our children and 
leaders of tomorrow.

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