[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 1]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 202-203]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 HONORING SEVENTH AVENUE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL FOR BEING NAMED A NATIONAL 
                           BLUE RIBBON SCHOOL

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                          HON. DANIEL LIPINSKI

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, January 7, 2015

  Mr. LIPINSKI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Seventh 
Avenue Elementary School for receiving the prestigious 2014 U.S. 
Department of Education National Blue Ribbon School Award.
  In 1982, The Department of Education established the National Blue 
Ribbon Schools Program to recognize public and private schools boasting 
high or significantly improved achievement. The program's goal is to 
identify aspects of thriving American schools in order to replicate 
their success. I am proud that

[[Page 203]]

Seventh Avenue Elementary School in La Grange has been honored as one 
of those exceptional schools.
  Principal Erin Hall is committed to ensuring success for her 
students. This begins at the start of the school year with fall tours 
of the school which give students and parents the opportunity to meet 
their new teachers. Students and teachers develop a mutual respect for 
one another which continues to develop until the 6th Grade Farewell 
event in which the community comes together to celebrate the year at an 
all-school picnic with families in the park. These and other events, 
such as service learning opportunities during the first few months of 
school, bring together students across all grades and backgrounds.
  At Seventh Avenue School teachers are encouraged to use individual 
student data to create instructional groups in reading and math so that 
each student's needs are met. Students are pushed to think critically 
and overcome academic challenges through problem solving. Parents are 
thanked for their support and presence and encouraged to participate in 
assemblies, classroom presentations, and parent conferences. Ms. Hall 
recognizes that the Blue Ribbon award is due to the successes of the 
staff, students, and parents and would not be possible without any of 
them.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Seventh 
Avenue Elementary School for this significant achievement and 
congratulating the staff, parents, students, and community.

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