[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 12]
[Senate]
[Page 15927]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




       RECOGNIZING KENNEDY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, MANKATO, MINNESOTA

 Mr. DAYTON. Mr. President, today I honor Kennedy Elementary 
School, in Mankato, MN, which recently earned an Award for Excellence 
in Education for its exceptional and innovative achievements in 
educating children.
  Kennedy Elementary School is truly a model of educational success. It 
achieves the goal embodied in its mission statement: ``Learning and 
Succeeding Together for Tomorrow's World.''
  Kennedy Elementary is implementing Reading First, a 3-year program 
which provides intensive professional development for all teachers, 
kindergarten through third grade. One teacher from both the fourth and 
fifth grades also takes part, to ensure continuity of reading 
instruction beyond the third grade.
  Since 2002, Kennedy teachers have, on their own time, attended study 
groups that meet for 2 hours each week. They follow a protocol to 
explore scientifically based reading research, which they apply in 
their teaching. The teachers regularly review test data to tailor their 
reading instruction to each child. Teams of teachers, including the 
classroom teachers, the title I reading teacher, and the English 
language learner teachers, collaborate to create successful 
intervention plans for any pupil performing below grade-level 
benchmarks in reading. During the study groups, teachers also review 
and critique video clips of each other's teaching. Through this process 
of reflection, teachers evaluate themselves to improve their 
instructional techniques and teaching practices.
  The North Central Association for Accreditation and School 
Improvement recently conducted a peer review of Kennedy Elementary 
School's reading instruction. The school earned a perfect score.
  The study and research of the Kennedy Elementary Leadership Team 
identified early educational interventions and programs to increase 
achievement. This research resulted in specific changes intended to 
improve the achievement of all children, including a full-day 
kindergarten program, hiring an additional English language learner 
teacher, and adding three reading intervention teachers. In addition, 
more teachers were hired to reduce class sizes in grades K-3.
  Another component of the success of all of Mankato's schools is the 
tremendous support from the community. Last fall, Mankato-area voters 
approved two referenda: to provide $6 million to update many existing 
buildings throughout the district and to provide $3.5 million over 7 
years to update the schools' technology. In 2002, voters approved a 
$2.5 million per year operating referendum.
  Much of the credit for Kennedy Elementary School's success belongs to 
its principal, Greg Stoffel, and the dedicated teachers. The students 
and staff at Kennedy Elementary School understand that, in order to be 
successful, a school must go beyond achieving academic success; it must 
also provide a nurturing environment where students can develop the 
knowledge, skills, and attitudes for success throughout life. All of 
the faculty, staff, and students at Kennedy Elementary School should be 
very proud of their accomplishments.
  I congratulate Kennedy Elementary School in Mankato for winning the 
Award for Excellence in Education and for its exceptional contributions 
to education in Minnesota.

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