[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 13]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 18310-18311]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                       BLUE RIBBON SCHOOL WINNER

                                 ______
                                 

                     HON. RANDY ``DUKE'' CUNNINGHAM

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 18, 2000

  Mr. CUNNINGHAM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Mt. Carmel 
High School in Scripps Ranch and its leaders, Principal, Joan Stewart 
and Superintendent, Dr. Bob Reeves. Mt. Carmel has been designated by 
the U.S. Department of Education as a National Blue Ribbon School for 
2000. I am proud to inform my colleagues that my district had an 
amazing record of eleven schools selected for that prestigious honor 
this year. I would also like to note that the Academy of Our Lady of 
Peace right outside my district in San Diego County was also named a 
Blue Ribbon School. I applaud the educators, students and communities 
in each of the San Diego County schools who pulled together in pursuit 
of educational excellence.
  Blue Ribbon Schools are recognized as some of the nation's most 
successful institutions, and they are exemplary models for achieving 
educational excellence throughout the nation. Not only have they 
demonstrated excellence in academic leadership, teaching and teacher 
development, and school curriculum, but they have demonstrated 
exceptional levels of community and parental involvement, high student 
achievement levels and strong safety and discipline.
  After schools are nominated by state education agencies for the Blue 
Ribbon award, they undergo a rigorous review of their programs, plans 
and activities. That is followed with visits by educational experts for 
evaluation. Ultimately, those schools which best demonstrate strong 
leadership, clear vision and mission, excellent teaching and 
curriculum, policies and practices that keep the schools safe for 
learning, family involvement and evidence of high standards are 
selected for this prestigious award. I am pleased that they are now 
receiving the national recognition they are due.
  As school and community leaders head to Washington for the Department 
of Education awards ceremony, I want to thank them once again for a job 
well done. More satisfying than any award, these leaders will have the 
lifelong satisfaction of having provided the best education possible 
and a better future for thousands of children. I am proud of what they 
have achieved, and want to share their achievements so that more people 
benefit from their accomplishments. I ask that a summary of Mt. Carmel 
High Schools' superior work be included in the record:
  Mt. Carmel High School, located in San Diego, California, is the 
heart of the local community. Life on campus and in the surrounding

[[Page 18311]]

community of Rancho Penasquitos centers on families and their 
involvement in the lives of young people. Mt. Carmel is a four-year 
comprehensive high school serving 3,506 students in the nationally 
recognized Poway Unified School district. At first glance, Mt. Carmel 
might appear to be a traditional public high school, but the vision, 
traditions, and culture make Mt. Carmel anything but ordinary. Mt. 
Carmel maintains a long tradition of academic excellence beginning with 
a rigorous college-bound curriculum, approximately 81 percent of 
graduates enroll at institutions of higher education. Mt. Carmel 
teachers respond enthusiastically and capably to the high academic 
expectations set by the community.
  Mt. Carmel offers a full range of academic, athletic and activity 
programs designed to meet the needs of all students. Particularly 
noteworthy programs include the on-line courses offered in Spanish, art 
and U.S. History, the fully integrated American Literature and U.S. 
History courses, and the partnership between the Animation Program and 
industry leaders such as Disney and Warner Brothers. Mt. Carmel is 
poised on the threshold of twenty-first century teaching and learning 
thanks to an investment of over $2 million worth of technology 
infrastructure, hardware, software, and training over the past four 
years. To encourage all students to stay connected on such a large 
campus, Mt. Carmel offers over 80 clubs, organizations and enrichment 
classes. Mt. Carmel exemplary staff is committed to ongoing 
professional development, as is evidenced by a significant investment 
of time and financial resources. The dynamic new principal, along with 
the secretaries, custodians, teachers, administrator, parents, and 
students share a common vision of academic excellence and support one 
another in the endeavor to attain this vision. Yes, Mt. Carmel's 
outstanding programs make it a model school, but the people make Mt. 
Carmel a truly special place to learn.

                          ____________________