[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 163 (Wednesday, October 16, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1288-E1289]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 CONGRATULATING ALICE DEAL MIDDLE SCHOOL, BLESSED SACRAMENT ELEMENTARY 
SCHOOL, JOHN W. ROSS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, KIPP DC HEIGHTS ACADEMY AND ST. 
                              PETER SCHOOL

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON

                      of the district of columbia

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, October 16, 2019

  Ms. NORTON. Madam Speaker, I rise today to ask the House of 
Representatives to join me in congratulating five District of Columbia 
schools recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as National Blue 
Ribbon Schools.
  For the past 37 years, the Department of Education has recognized 
schools for overall academic excellence or for reducing achievement 
gaps. Since 1982, over 40 schools in the District have been recognized 
as National Blue Ribbon Schools. This year, Alice Deal Middle School, 
Blessed Sacrament Elementary School, John W. Ross Elementary School, 
KIPP DC Heights Academy and St. Peter School were selected as National 
Blue Ribbon Schools.
  Alice Deal Middle School, located in Northwest DC, was established in 
1982 and serves 1,506 students. As an International Baccalaureate 
School, the committed staff and teachers promote a global learning 
environment. Students study one of three languages--Chinese, French or 
Spanish--and have the opportunity to go abroad in 8th grade. I applaud 
Alice Deal for developing and encouraging students to be global 
citizens and for its recognition this year as a National Blue Ribbon 
School.
  Located in Chevy Chase, DC, Blessed Sacrament strives to provide 
quality Catholic education through a caring community that promotes 
academic excellence and a life of service. This is the second time 
Blessed Sacrament has been named a National Blue Ribbon School. In 
2012, Blessed Sacrament was also recognized as a National Blue Ribbon 
School under the category of Exemplary High Performing Schools. I 
applaud Blessed Sacrament for its recognition this year as a National 
Blue Ribbon School.

[[Page E1289]]

  John W. Ross Elementary School, located in the heart of Dupont 
Circle, has shown commitment to hiring excellent teachers who care 
deeply about their students. With its school motto, ``Embraced for who 
you are and Empowered to be more,'' John W. Ross Elementary School 
promotes and values students in a holistic way. I applaud John W. Ross 
for its recognition this year as a National Blue Ribbon School.
  KIPP DC Heights Academy, located in Southeast DC, is known for the 
importance it places on achievement, community and persistence. Well 
deserving of this award, KIPP has closed achievement gaps among student 
subgroups, raising the academic playing field for all. Their strong 
culture of collaboration and excellence motivates teachers and students 
alike to work together and become stronger thinkers, readers, writers 
and mathematicians. I applaud KIPP DC Heights Academy for its 
recognition this year as a National Blue Ribbon School.
  St. Peter School, located in my own Capitol Hill neighborhood, was 
founded in 1868 by the Sisters of the Holy Cross for the purposes of 
taking a holistic approach in order to educate the whole child. St. 
Peter School is committed to cultivating a dedicated team of faculty 
and staff in one of the oldest continuously operating Catholic 
elementary schools in Washington, DC. I applaud St. Peter School for 
its recognition this year as a National Blue Ribbon School.
  Madam Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to join me in 
congratulating Alice Deal Middle School, Blessed Sacrament Elementary 
School, John W. Ross Elementary School, KIPP DC Heights Academy and St. 
Peter School for their recognition as National Blue Ribbon Schools.

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