[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 166 (Friday, October 5, 2018)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6629-S6630]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 RECOGNIZING RICHLAND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

 Ms. HEITKAMP. Mr. President, I want to congratulate the 
students, faculty, and parents of Richland Elementary School, located 
in Abercrombie, ND, on being awarded the 2018 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

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program's founding, the U. S. Department of Education has bestowed this 
coveted award to more than 8,500 of America's best schools.
  Richland Elementary School serves roughly 152 students and was one of 
3 schools in North Dakota to receive the honor of Exemplary High 
Performing School in 2018. 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. To effectively bolster reading and writing skills, 
the school utilizes Sails Literacy which immerses students in oral, 
written, and visual language. The ability to personalize each student's 
learning plan helps ensure they are performing to the best of their 
abilities. Additionally, the school receives constant feedback from 
teachers on the Sails Literacy program, which allows for the program to 
be molded to fit new classes. The faculty, staff, and community of 
Abercrombie are leading the way on literary education in North Dakota, 
and this innovation serves as a model that all schools can look towards 
when finding new ways to promote student growth and development.
  The Richland #44 School District mission statement reads, ``Students 
will be taught the skills and gain the knowledge to experience success, 
positive self-worth, and become responsible citizens in society.'' 
Richland Elementary School has done an excellent job at providing a 
positive and enriching learning environment for their students. I wish 
the very best to the community of Abercrombie and congratulations to 
all engaged at Richland Elementary School for achieving this high 
honor. Thank you for your commitment to our children and leaders of 
tomorrow.

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