[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 6]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 7998]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING THE 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF ST. MATTHEW'S LUTHERAN DAY SCHOOL

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                        HON. GERALD E. CONNOLLY

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 4, 2013

  Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the St. 
Matthew's Lutheran Day School of Prince William County, Virginia, on 
the occasion of its 40th anniversary, and to recognize the school for 
its continued dedication to the education of our youngest citizens.
   St. Matthew's Lutheran Day School was established after Senior 
Pastor David Bohannon went door-to-door in 1971 to gauge the interest 
of the surrounding community for early childhood education 
opportunities. The day school, open to any member of the surrounding 
community, began in 1973 with 88 children. Now there are 250 students 
enrolled at St. Matthew's. The school has served several thousand 
children from Prince William County since 1973. St. Matthew's students 
graduate well-prepared for elementary, secondary, and post secondary 
education.
   I commend the administration at St. Matthew's for using a 
comprehensive curriculum that focuses not only on academic learning but 
also on imaginative play and hands-on learning. Activities at the Day 
School include group time, circle time, center time, snack time, 
playground time, and story time. These activities encourage a positive 
and interactive learning environment for the three- to five-year-olds 
served by the St. Matthew's Lutheran Day School.
   St. Matthew's began its 40th anniversary celebration entitled 
``Early Years Are Learning Years,'' in April with an Open House, during 
which the school displayed student artwork. The school will continue to 
celebrate through the end of the year by hosting literacy concerts 
throughout the community.
   Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating the 
St. Matthew's Lutheran Day School for serving families and children in 
our community for 40 years. I extend my personal appreciation to the 
staff of the Day School for their commitment to empowering our children 
by providing access to a high quality early childhood education.

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