[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 14]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 20047]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




   COMMENDING BARTOW ELEMENTARY ACADEMY'S DESIGNATION AS A 2008 BLUE 
                             RIBBON SCHOOL

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                          HON. ADAM H. PUTNAM

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 22, 2008

  Mr. PUTNAM. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the faculty, 
staff, and students of Bartow Elementary Academy (BEA) for their 
designation as a 2008 No Child Left Behind--Blue Ribbon School by the 
U.S. Department of Education.
  Bartow Elementary Academy achieved this distinguished honor as a 
school performing in the top 10 percent within the State of Florida in 
the category of schools with less than 40 percent of their students 
from disadvantaged backgrounds. One of 320 schools in the nation to 
receive this honor, the Blue Ribbon reflects the dedication and 
commitment shared among faculty and students alike at BEA.
  Bartow Elementary Academy has long displayed excellence in education. 
Earning an `A' all but one year since Florida first implemented school 
grades during the 1998-99 school year, BEA's teachers and students 
continue to distinguish themselves--helping students to continually 
achieve at high levels while making significant progress in closing the 
achievement gap.
  Further, the school's willingness to explore creative new learning 
techniques and methodologies, such as ``brain-based'' learning, 
attributes to BEA's academic progress and ability to create varying 
curriculums when it comes to Sunshine State Standards.
  I would like to extend my congratulations to Principal Carol Borders 
and her team of inspiring educators and extraordinary students. You're 
making a true difference in the lives of so many, and building 
communities that improve students' learning.

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