[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 164 (Thursday, October 17, 2019)]
[Senate]
[Page S5890]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 RECOGNIZING CAPE ELIZABETH HIGH SCHOOL

  Ms. COLLINS. Mr. President, I am delighted to commend Cape Elizabeth 
High School of Cape Elizabeth ME, on being named a 2019 National Blue 
Ribbon Exemplary High Performing School. This outstanding high school 
is one of only 362 schools across the country to receive Blue Ribbon 
recognition this year from the U.S. Department of Education.
  Created in 1982, the Blue Ribbon Schools Program honors schools that 
are either academically superior in their States or that demonstrate 
significant gains in student achievement. The schools singled out for 
this national recognition are models of high educational standards and 
accountability.
  This award recognizes the hard work and determination of Cape 
Elizabeth High School's students, faculty, and staff. This top-
performing school has a strong commitment to professional development 
that ensures that teachers and staff, as well as students, are life-
long learners. This recognition continues a tradition of excellence 
that builds upon Cape Elizabeth High School's previous Blue Ribbon 
Award in 2004.
  Cape Elizabeth High School's mission is to ``open minds, open 
doors.'' The school provides its 540 students with a rigorous academic 
experience that prepares students for college and career, in a 
supportive environment that offers students many opportunities to 
explore their interests. Approximately 90 percent of students 
participate in at least one extracurricular activity, from the arts and 
athletics to robotics club and model united nations.
  Cape Elizabeth students support each other. Every incoming ninth-
grade student is assigned an upper class mentor to ease the transition 
to high school. Freshman Academy helps ninth graders explore their own 
values and strengths. Across the grade levels, students often say 
``thank you'' to their teachers at the end of class, a powerful sign of 
a respectful school climate.
  An active high school parents association strengthens the connections 
between school and home. The Cape Elizabeth Education Foundation, the 
first education foundation in Maine, fosters innovation and excellence. 
Over the years, the foundation has funded the creation of the 
Achievement Center to offer individualized tutoring, commissioned 
compositions for performance by school music ensembles, sponsored 
sexual assault awareness programs planned by students and staff 
together, and supported teacher professional development.
  This Blue Ribbon Award is a tribute not only to the students but also 
to the administrators, teachers, staff, and parents of Cape Elizabeth 
High School. Together, they are accomplishing their mission to help 
students succeed in the classroom and as engaged citizens. They are 
making a difference in the lives of their students, helping them reach 
their full potential. I congratulate the entire community for this 
well-deserved recognition.

                          ____________________