The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“CONGRATULATING DURHAM ELEMENTARY” mentioning the U.S. Dept of State was published in the Extensions of Remarks section on pages E1735-E1736 on Nov. 6, 2012.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
CONGRATULATING DURHAM ELEMENTARY
______
HON. FORTNEY PETE STARK
of california
in the house of representatives
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
Mr. STARK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate J. Haley Durham Elementary School of Fremont, California, on its recent designation as a 2012 National Blue Ribbon School. The National Blue Ribbon Schools Program recognizes public and private elementary, middle, and high schools where students exemplify high performance levels or where significant improvements have been made in students' levels of academic achievement. Since Teresa Bonaccorsi became principal of Durham Elementary in 2010, it has made drastic improvements in test scores to become part of the prestigious group of schools who receive the award.
Just three years ago, Durham Elementary was part of the California Department of Education's Program Improvement list that tracks the progress of schools that have failed to meet the state's requirement of adequate yearly progress. Since taking the position as principal in early 2010 Mrs. Bonaccorsi has led her school to improve its Academic Performance Index by 129 points, far exceeding the growth targets set by the state department.
Principal Bonaccorsi came to Durham Elementary School with experience as a classroom teacher, literacy coach, and district administrator. With a supportive staff and team of dedicated teachers, she has led an impressive improvement path for her students, a third of whom are from low-income families. James Morris, Fremont's superintendent of schools, praised Principal Teresa Bonaccorsi for leading the quick turnaround.
``When Teresa became principal, she got the staff on board, and they have done an incredible job,'' he said. ``You feel the pride in that school when you go there for what they've accomplished.''
It is essential to note that Principal Bonaccorsi would not have been able to reach this achievement without the support of the teachers, staff, parents, and the students themselves. It is evident that Principal Bonaccorsi has had a vast array of support, and everyone associated with the school should feel a sense of pride for working together to achieve success.
And I too could not be more proud of Durham Elementary's accomplishments. When the school was included on the Program Improvement list, parents had the option to move their children to another school, but they gave Mrs. Bonaccorsi a chance to turn the school around and I am happy they did. I have been a longtime advocate for equity and improvement in our public school system; I am honored to have such dedicated individuals in my district who exemplify those same goals. Principal Bonaccorsi is undeniably such an individual and I invite my colleagues to join me in congratulating her and her school on this prestigious award.
____________________
