[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 160 (2014), Part 11]
[Senate]
[Page 15796]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                 RECOGNIZING SPRUNICA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

  Mr. DONNELLY. Mr. President, I wish to applaud Sprunica Elementary 
School of Nineveh, IN for being recognized as a 2014 National Blue 
Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education.
  Established in 1982, the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program has 
recognized over 7,000 public and non-public schools that demonstrate a 
vision of educational excellence for all students, regardless of their 
social or economic background. Since its inception, this program has 
offered the opportunity for schools in every State to gain recognition 
for educational accomplishments in closing the achievement gaps among 
student groups.
  Recognition as a National Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department 
of Education is based on a school either being measured as an Exemplary 
High Performing School, where schools are among the State's highest 
scorers in English and mathematics, or as an exemplary Achievement Gap 
Closing School, where schools, with at least 40 percent of their 
student body coming from disadvantaged backgrounds, have reduced the 
achievement gap in English and mathematics within the last 5 years. 
Sprunica Elementary School has made great strides in the area of 
improved proficiency in both English and mathematics.
  In 2014 alone, Sprunica Elementary School's combined ISTEP+ passing 
rate for English and mathematics was 92 percent for third grade and 93 
percent for fourth grade. By giving the student body a variety of tools 
for early educational development, such as flexibility to pursue their 
own reading interests and observing the many facets of nature outside 
of the classroom, the staff at Sprunica Elementary School provides 
students with an independent and hands on learning environment. 
Students can be challenged at their own pace. Beyond the classroom 
setting, the staff dedicates their time to help the student body 
develop strategies to become more respectful and aware citizens within 
the greater town of Nineveh through community service. In addition to 
its Blue Ribbon School recognition, it is no wonder that Sprunica has 
also been selected as an Indiana four star school.
  I would like to acknowledge Principal Dr. Abbie Suzanne Oliver of 
Sprunica Elementary School, the entire staff, and the student body. It 
undoubtedly took hard work and dedication to achieve this prestigious 
award.
  On behalf of the citizens of Indiana, I congratulate Sprunica 
Elementary School, and I wish the students and staff continued success 
in the future.

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