[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 160 (2014), Part 12]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 17392]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




CONGRATULATIONS TO THE ANNA E. BARRY SCHOOL FOR BEING NAMED A NATIONAL 
                           BLUE RIBBON SCHOOL

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. RICHARD E. NEAL

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 9, 2014

  Mr. NEAL. Mr. Speaker, I wish to congratulate the Anna E. Barry 
School of Chicopee, Massachusetts for the honor of being named a 
National Blue Ribbon School for 2014, and to recognize their 
achievements both in academic excellence and in narrowing education 
gaps between students.
  The Anna E. Barry School currently enrolls students from kindergarten 
through fifth grade. In its mission statement, the school states that 
its purpose is ``to educate children . . . in order that they may 
successfully continue with their education, pursue their aspirations 
and eventually become contributing community members.''
  The National Blue Ribbon School Program was established in 1982 to 
honor elementary, middle and high schools which have excellent 
performance, or which have substantially reduced the performance gap 
for disadvantaged student populations. Created under Secretary of 
Education Terrel H. Bell, the program was designed to celebrate 
achievement among public and private schools alike, as well as to 
encourage the sharing of successful teaching strategies.
  With just fewer than 7,900 educational institutions having been named 
National Blue Ribbon Schools, it is an extraordinary achievement for 
the Anna E. Barry School to be recognized with this award. The uniting 
feature of National Blue Ribbon Schools is their commitment and 
dedication to outstanding educational outcomes for their pupils, and I 
am proud to count a school from the First District of Massachusetts 
among them.
  In being named a National Blue Ribbon School, the Anna E. Barry 
School has been recognized for their outstanding work improving the 
results of both students with special educational needs, and those who 
have English as a second language. The school's accomplishment has been 
the product of tailored student teaching, the integration of 
technology, and the engagement of the community. By focusing on 
individual achievement and establishing positive lines of communication 
with families, the Anna E. Barry School has not only improved 
educational outcomes, but has made learning a collaborative exercise 
between students, parents and teachers.
  The success of the school can also be attributed to the dedication of 
its teachers and administrators in promoting and advancing the 
students' education. I wish the school, its staff and the students well 
in their future endeavors, and again congratulate them on this 
remarkable achievement.

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