[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 12]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 16767]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




               IN RECOGNITION OF WOODBRIDGE MIDDLE SCHOOL

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. GERALD E. CONNOLLY

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 25, 2009

  Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize 
Woodbridge Middle School as a leader in education reform. Woodbridge 
was recently designated as a 2009 School to Watch by the National Forum 
to Accelerate Middle-Grades Reform.
  The Schools to Watch program was establish in 1999 with the purpose 
of identifying schools on a path to meeting the National Forum's 
criteria for high performing schools. There are four categories in 
which qualifying schools must excel to be selected as a School to 
Watch. First, students must be challenged academically with clear and 
well-communicated education goals. Second, a school must work to 
develop a well-rounded student. This is accomplished through programs 
that foster healthy physical, social, emotional and intellectual 
development. Third, a School to Watch must present students with a 
socially equitable learning environment where diversity, civility, 
service, and democratic citizenship are valued. Finally, a qualifying 
school must have organizational structures in place that work to 
institutionalize the first three criteria.
  Consistent with the cooperative spirit of the Schools to Watch 
program, the motto that drives Woodbridge Middle School is, ``We get 
better together.'' Students, faculty and administration are held 
accountable for school performance and are encouraged to make the 
education experience a team effort. The staff is required to follow a 
set meeting schedule for the purpose of monitoring instructional and 
support programs. Students who are in danger of failing a course must 
work with parents and teachers to map out a plan to achieve a passing 
grade. No one is an island at Woodbridge Middle School where education 
is a community effort.
  Madam Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in applauding 
Woodbridge Middle School on this prestigious designation and in 
encouraging it to continue these proven successful approaches to 
education. Woodbridge Middle School is a model that provides guidance 
in how to effectively improve our education system. The students, 
faculty and entire community benefit when we invest in our nation's 
future by providing our children with a productive and positive 
learning experience.

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