MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2011 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Yancey, Butler (38th), Fillingane, Frazier, Jackson (32nd), Michel
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING MADISON STATION ELEMENTARY SCHOOL FOR BEING RECOGNIZED BY THE U.S. SECRETARY OF EDUCATION AS A "2010 NATIONAL BLUE RIBBON SCHOOL."
WHEREAS, United States Secretary of Education Arne Duncan has recognized Madison Station Elementary School as a "2010 National Blue Ribbon School." At the recognition ceremony, Secretary Duncan was joined by Washington, D.C., Mayor Adrian M. Fenty, D.C. Public Schools Chancellor Michelle Rhee and George Washington University Provost Steven Lerman for the announcement; and
WHEREAS, Madison Station Elementary School is home to 1,074 students and 100 faculty and staff members and two administrators. The Blue Ribbon schools, 254 public and 50 private, were honored nationally at an awards ceremony on November 15-16, 2010, in Washington, D.C. In the past 28 years, more than 6,000 of America's schools have received this coveted award; and
WHEREAS, the award honors public and private elementary, middle and high schools whose students achieve at very high levels or have made significant progress and helped close gaps in achievement, especially among disadvantaged and minority students. Each year since 1982, the United States Department of Education has sought out schools where students attain and maintain high academic goals, including those that beat the odds; and
WHEREAS, Madison Station Elementary School has 3 major goals for all children:
(a) Academic Excellence (a child's mind). Beginning in Kindergarten, teachers assess each child individually throughout the year to know exactly the reading and math level for each child.
(b) Arts Integration (a child's heart and soul). Arts can be integrated into all curriculum areas. After partnering with the Mississippi Arts Commission 12 years ago, all teachers were trained in how to integrate visual art, movement, drama and music into their daily lessons.
(c) Fitness/Wellness (a child's body). Developing a lifestyle of healthy living begins early. Creative measures such as Wellness Wednesday; Yoga, Pilates and Aerobics classes for girls; Dance Dance Revolution; Flour Child cooking classes; and a Jag-Exercise fitness room to expose students to fitness and wellness activities; and
WHEREAS, during the last 10 years, Madison Station has consistently reached the highest academic rating. Being named a Star school for the past two years and a National Blue Ribbon School, Madison Station teachers, students, administration and parents are quick to point out that it takes everyone working together with relentless passion and energy to reach these top levels. The Madison Station Elementary School Parent-Teacher Organization meets monthly to plan and share reports on how they are assisting the teachers and students. This organization has consistently raised over $50,000.00 each year to fund initiatives related to the three goals listed above. Principal Beverly Johnston asked each family to volunteer five hours during the year. These hours could be spent reading to children, eating lunch with classes, attending field trips, special event days, etc. At the end of the first semester, nearly 400 students' families had already reached or surpassed the goal; and
WHEREAS, the Blue Ribbon Schools Programs honors public and private schools based on one of two criteria:
(1) Schools whose students, regardless of backgrounds, are high performing. These are schools ranked among the state's highest performing schools as measured by their performance on state assessments or in the case of private schools, that score at the highest performance level on tests referenced by national norms in at least the most recent year tested; or
(2) Schools with at least 40% of their students from disadvantaged backgrounds that improve student performance to high levels as measured by the school's performance on state assessments or nationally normed tests; and
WHEREAS, in this competitive global economy, the administrators, teachers and students in Madison Station Elementary School have worked extremely hard to make the significant gains reflected by this state. This Blue Ribbon Award recognizes that they are moving in the right direction, and it is with great pride that we join the education profession in recognizing the excellent academic progress made by this school which has brought honor to their community and to the State of Mississippi:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend and congratulate Madison Station Elementary School and Principal Beverly Johnston for being recognized by the United States Secretary of Education as a "2010 National Blue Ribbon School" and extend our best wishes to school administrators, teachers, students and parents on this auspicious occasion.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Principal Beverly Johnston, forwarded to members of the Madison County Board of Education and the State Superintendent of Education and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.