[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 12]
[Senate]
[Page 15928]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




   RECOGNIZING THE BREN ROAD EDUCATION CENTER, MINNETONKA, MINNESOTA

 Mr. DAYTON. Mr. President, today I honor the Bren Road 
Education Center, in Minnetonka, MN, which recently earned an Award for 
Excellence in Education for its exceptional and innovative achievements 
in educating children.
  The Bren Road Education Center is truly a model of educational 
success. The center serves high school students, who often present the 
greatest challenges for educators. Those enrolled at Bren Road have 
been referred by their school districts and come with behavioral 
problems, unsuccessful social interactions, and, in some cases, 
neurobiological disorders and developmental delays. Nearly all students 
have significant special education needs in the areas of emotional and 
behavior functioning. Many have substance abuse and/or mental health 
illnesses or a history of involvement with the juvenile courts. All the 
teachers and staff at the Bren Road Education Center approach these 
tremendous challenges with the assumption that their students will 
succeed.
  The Bren Road Education Center opened its doors in September, 2005, 
with a true sense of excitement and promise. One observer said, ``There 
was a sense of relief that the students at the Bren Road Education 
Center would now have a new chance, an opportunity for success, and a 
bright future!''
  The staff at Bren Road consider each student to be unique, and they 
work tirelessly to build relationships with the students by engaging 
them respectfully. The philosophy at Bren Road is that these young 
people have often struggled unsuccessfully in traditional, large high 
schools, because their particular needs had gone unrecognized. Given 
the right environment, appropriate support, positive relationships with 
adults, and opportunities to give and receive respect, they can do well 
in an academic setting.
  Bren Road's individualized instruction in reading, writing, and math 
prepares students to pass State-level proficiency tests. Experimental 
learning labs including science, art, and independent living labs 
afford students hands-on learning and vocational experiences. One 
student was repeatedly suspended from his regular high school, because 
he could not control his anger. At Bren Road, however, he has developed 
his interest in woodworking and takes pride in making Adirondack 
furniture.
  Much of the credit for the Bren Road Education Center's success 
belongs to its supervisor, Jan Joslin, and the dedicated teachers and 
staff. The students and staff at the Bren Road Education Center 
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 the Bren Road Education Center should be very proud of 
their accomplishments.
  I congratulate the Bren Road Education Center in Minnetonka for 
winning the Award for Excellence in Education and for its exceptional 
contributions to education in Minnesota.

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