[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 4]
[Senate]
[Page 4265]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




             PIEDMONT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, DULUTH, MINNESOTA

 Mr. DAYTON. Mr. President, I rise today to honor Piedmont 
Elementary School, in Duluth, MN, which recently earned an Award for 
Excellence in Education for its exceptional and innovative achievements 
in educating children.
  Piedmont School is truly a model of educational success. The school 
has 220 pupils in kindergarten through grade 5 and provides school 
readiness services for 30 preschool children.
  One program unique to Piedmont Elementary is its reverse-
mainstreaming program, which makes it possible for kindergarteners to 
spend time in a special education classroom for kindergarten children 
with special needs. The experience helps these children to interact 
better with one another and to appreciate the challenges that some 
children must meet every day.
  The school prides itself on its efforts to ensure that everyone will 
feel valued at Piedmont and that everyone--pupils, staff, parents, 
grandparents, and visitors--will know that they are always welcome. In 
keeping with this cordial theme, each child arriving at Piedmont for 
the first time receives the red-carpet treatment: A red carpet of 
construction paper, which is signed by all the children currently 
enrolled, is laid down as part of the welcoming ceremony.
  Also along the lines of good citizenship, each month, a new character 
trait is taught in the classrooms and at monthly assemblies, focusing 
on respect, responsibility, compassion, citizenship, fairness, and 
honesty.
  Much of the credit for Piedmont School's success belongs to its 
principal, Kris Teberg, and her dedicated teachers. The children and 
staff at Piedmont 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 develop the knowledge, skills, 
and attitudes for success throughout life. All of the faculty, staff, 
and children at Piedmont School should be very proud of their 
accomplishments.
  I congratulate Piedmont Elementary School in Duluth for winning the 
Award for Excellence in Education and for its exceptional contributions 
to education in Minnesota.

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