[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 17]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 23908]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




  A TRIBUTE TO THE TEACHERS, PARENTS, ADMINISTRATORS AND STUDENTS OF 
                            PINECREST SCHOOL

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ELTON GALLEGLY

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, October 1, 2003

  Mr. GALLEGLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the parents, students, 
faculty and staff whose dedication to excellence has earned Pinecrest 
School in Thousand Oaks, California, recognition as a National Blue 
Ribbon school.
  The National Blue Ribbon award honors excellence in leadership, 
teaching, curriculum, student achievement and parental involvement. 
Pinecrest School and two other schools in my district--Poinsettia 
School in Ventura and Brookside School in Oak Park--were recognized 
this year for being among the top 10 percent of schools in California 
in terms of student achievement.
  Mr. Speaker, Pinecrest School is a private school that teaches 
preschool through middle school students. Its mission is ``to provide a 
rich educational experience for the whole child'' through academic 
basics and personal responsibility.
  Led by Principal Jean Narbonne, the teachers and staff instill in 
each child the belief that they can be successful. They insist that 
every child realize his or her greatest potential. They also require 
parental involvement in their child's studies.
  Mr. Speaker, as a father and grandfather--one of my children is now a 
schoolteacher--I am acutely aware that the most important tool we can 
give our children is a good education. As ancient philosopher Epictetus 
noted, ``Only the educated are free.'' Our students are the elected 
officials, businessmen, artists, scientists, parents and teachers of 
tomorrow.
  Mr. Speaker, as our nation works in concert to better our education 
system, it would serve us well to study the successes of our National 
Blue Ribbon schools. They are the best of the best and a key to our 
future. I know my colleagues will join me in applauding Principal 
Narbonne, her entire staff, and the parents and students of Pinecrest 
for raising the bar and setting a strong example for others to follow.

                          ____________________