[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 41 (Friday, March 3, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E175]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 HONORING THE SERVICE OF NADINE GERBER

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. MARILYN STRICKLAND

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, March 3, 2023

  Ms. STRICKLAND. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor an exceptional 
member of the Olympia, Washington community. I would like to recognize 
Nadine Gerber's distinguished service and dedication to the success of 
our students.
  Nadine Gerber is the President of the McLane Elementary School's 
Parent, Teacher and Student Organization, or the PTSO. Intended to be 
inclusive of all members of the McLane Elementary community, the PTSO 
has made it its mission to enhance learning experiences for students, 
aid teachers, and support families as this Olympia school reemerges 
from the pandemic.
  One of the group's greatest achievements has been the After School 
Enrichment program. Starting in full force after schools reopened in 
the fall of 2020, Nadine's After School Enrichment program seeks to 
shore up deficiencies in students' socio-emotional development caused 
by distance learning, as well as offer parents an affordable childcare 
option as more and more households transition back to in-person work.
  Nadine first partnered with Discover Aquatics, a swimming center 
within walking distance of the Olympia school, to provide students with 
swimming lessons. She also founded two faculty and parent-led clubs, 
one focused on gardening and the other on running, that allow students 
to engage in these activities at no cost to families.
  As the After School Enrichment program grew in popularity, Nadine was 
able to expand the extracurricular program to include theater classes, 
a comic books club, and 3D printing and game design introductory 
classes, made possible in part by partnerships with local businesses 
and the South Sound YMCA.
  Over the past few years, Nadine has seen scared students who wouldn't 
dip their toes into the pool turn into strong swimmers, participants in 
the program's running club embrace challenges head-on to become 
confident cross-country athletes, and curious children tending to their 
above-ground garden plots blossom into full-blown gardeners. All the 
individual and collective growth seen in McLane Elementary's children 
can be attributed to the consistent efforts of Nadine as PTSO President 
and her tireless leadership of the After School Enrichment program.
  That is why Nadine Gerber, a proud community leader, is my 
constituent spotlight.

                          ____________________