[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 2]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 2351]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                     TRIBUTE TO DR. MICHAEL PLADUS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. CURT WELDON

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 11, 1999

  Mr. WELDON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute 
to a man whose accomplishments in the field of public education are 
limitless. Dr. Michael Pladus, principal of Interboro High School since 
only 1994, recently received the 1999 National Principal of the Year 
Award in the shortest time ever recognized by its sponsors, MetLife and 
the National Association of Secondary School Principals. Richard Riley, 
U.S. Secretary of Education, presented Dr. Pladus with the award on 
January 28, 1999 at the Renaissance Mayflower Hotel in Washington, DC. 
Dr. Pladus received this honor in recognition of his exceptional role 
in improving the school's student activities, standardized testing 
scores, and overall climate of academia.
  Before going to Interboro High School four years ago, Dr. Pladus, 
holding a Masters Degree from both Temple University and the University 
of Scranton and a doctorate from Columbia University, served as a 
Middle School Principal in the Upper Merion School District. Since 
assuming his position at Interboro, he has worked vigorously to install 
innovative programs which will help our students. Besides establishing 
closer relations between parents, teachers, students, and 
administration at Interboro, Dr. Pladus re-designed the academic 
curriculum and up-graded the math advanced placement program. Moreover, 
he has implemented a co-teaching pilot program for special education 
students and developed a proactive strategy to deal with the needs of 
``at risk'' teens. Through his commitment and success, Dr. Pladus 
helped the school earn ``blue ribbon'' status from the Commonwealth of 
Pennsylvania.
  In a nation toiling to upgrade educational standards, people like Dr. 
Pladus yield hope. As a former school teacher, I know well the 
difficult challenges facing today's educators, and commend those who 
overcome them. With the innovating ideas and continual resolution of 
people like Dr. Pladus, our nation and its children will become much 
closer to the educational system they deserve.

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