House Resolution 24

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING NORTH PONTOTOC HIGH SCHOOL UPON BEING NAMED A BLUE RIBBON SCHOOL BY THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.

WHEREAS, now in an elite group of slightly more than 250 schools nationwide, North Pontotoc High School was named a Blue Ribbon School last September by the United States Department of Education; and

WHEREAS, with well over 100,000 public and private schools in the country, fewer than 300 can claim to be Blue Ribbon Schools, representing less than half a percent of the nation's schools receiving this grand honor; and

WHEREAS, since 1982, the Department of Education has named Blue Ribbon Schools to recognize excellence, awarding schools Blue Ribbons because they exemplify the great promise of No Child Left Behind; and

WHEREAS, the quantitative criteria employed in selecting schools for Blue Ribbon status consist of three elements: schools with a high percentage of disadvantaged students that are making dramatic improvements on state assessments, schools whose students score in the top 10 percent on state tests, and private schools that perform in the top 10 percent of schools nationally; and

WHEREAS, because of the commitment and dedication of the administrators and teachers coupled with the drive, ambition and perseverance of the students, North Pontotoc High School has set the benchmark of excellence in education by receiving such a widely acclaimed honor; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that the House of Representatives of the State of Mississippi recognizes such remarkable accomplishments of our state's schools, administrators, teachers and students:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend North Pontotoc High School upon being selected as a Blue Ribbon School by the United States Department of Education.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to North Pontotoc High School and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.