House Resolution 50

(As Adopted by House)

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING BARACK H. OBAMA MAGNET IB ELEMENTARY SCHOOL FOR BEING RATED AS THE NUMBER ONE PERFORMING ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IN THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI AND CONTINUING ITS STORIED HISTORY OF ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE.

WHEREAS, the students, teachers and administration at Barack H. Obama Magnet IB Elementary School in Jackson, Mississippi, have once again earned the distinguished honor of being chosen as the number one performing elementary school amongst six hundred thirty-four elementary schools in the state; and

WHEREAS, this prestigious ranking is the third time the school has been ranked number one in the state; and

WHEREAS, this amazing educational institution is also a Blue Ribbon School that has been a four-time recipient of the Governor's Award and earned an A rating for 12 consecutive years; and

WHEREAS, the school's most recent academic achievements have been gained under the passionate leadership of Principal John C. Johnson, who credits the unwavering dedication of his teachers, staff and students to achieve academic greatness as the key to the school's success; and

WHEREAS, Barack H. Obama's IB model uses a transdisciplinary approach, where teachers have the ultimate goal of connecting a unit's theme across different subject areas, and instead of approaching a skill, like language, only through rote memorization or compartmentalization, the content is explored through questions; and

WHEREAS, the school's STAR program requires students to sit for an assessment three times a year to gauge their reading and math levels, and after each assessment, individual growth goals are set for each student, and assistance is provided to students in the subject areas which require more assistance; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to applaud and celebrate the outstanding K-12 institutions that are committed to the success of its students, and whose successes help to improve our state's national ratings:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend and congratulate Barack H. Obama IB Elementary School for being rated the number one performing elementary school in the State of Mississippi, for earning its twelfth consecutive A rating and for continuing its history of academic success.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Barack H. Obama Magnet IB Elementary School, Principal John C. Johnson and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.