[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 14] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page 20001] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]HONORING BLUE RIBBON SCHOOL RECIPIENTS ______ HON. RANDY ``DUKE'' CUNNINGHAM of california in the house of representatives Tuesday, October 16, 2001 Mr. CUNNINGHAM. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to rise today to recognize that seven blue ribbon schools in my 51st Congressional District of California are being honored as National Blue Ribbon Schools for 2001. In alphabetical order, these schools are: Chaparral Elementary School, Poway, CA. The principal is Holly Brommer, and the superintendent of the Poway Unified School District is Donald Phillips. Del Mar Hills School, Del Mar, CA. The principal is Gary Wilson, and the superintendent of the Del Mar Union School District is Thomas Bishop. Los Penasquitos School, San Diego, CA. The principal is Jeffrey King, and the superintendent of the Poway Unified School District is Donald Phillips. Olivenhain Pioneer Elementary School, Carlsbad, CA. The principal is Emily Andrade, and the superintendent of the Encinitas Union School District is Doug DeVore. Park Village Elementary School, San Diego, CA. The principal is Kathy Cleveland, and the superintendent of the Poway Unified School District is Donald Phillips. Solana Highlands School, San Diego, CA. The principal is Brian McBride, and the superintendent of the Solana Beach School District is Ellie Topolovac. Westwood Elementary School, San Diego, CA. The principal is Suzanne Roy, and the superintendent of the Poway Unified School District is Donald Phillips. The National Blue Ribbon Schools program evaluates schools based upon their effectiveness in meeting local, state and national educational goals. In 2001, 264 elementary schools are being recognized as National Blue Ribbon Schools, including the seven above in California's 51st Congressional District, and 43 in the State of California. Blue Ribbon status is awarded to schools that have strong leadership, clear vision and mission, excellent teaching and curriculum, policies and practices that keep the schools safe for learning, expanded involvement of families, evidence that the school helps all students achieve high standards, and a commitment to share best practices with other schools. I am immensely proud of the men and women whose outstanding and tireless work in the interest of better education has now been recognized through the National Blue Ribbon Schools program. This is particularly close to my heart, because, as a former teacher and coach, and as a father, one of my passions is improving education so that every American can have a fighting chance to achieve the American dream. And while these seven schools in my district have now been recognized as National Blue Ribbon Schools, the real winners are all of the children, parents, teachers and citizens who have all been challenged through this recognition to successfully improve education in all of their local communities. ____________________