[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 178 (Monday, October 19, 2020)]
[Senate]
[Page S6070]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  RECOGNIZING EASTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

  Ms. COLLINS. Mr. President, I am delighted to commend Easton 
Elementary School in Easton, ME, on being named a 2020 National Blue 
Ribbon Exemplary High Performing School. Serving 128 students from pre-
kindergarten through sixth grade, this outstanding school is one of 
only 367 schools across the country this year to receive Blue Ribbon 
recognition from the U.S. Department of Education.
  Created in 1982, the Blue Ribbon Schools Program honors public and 
private schools that are either academically superior in their States 
or that demonstrate significant gains in student achievement. The 
schools singled out for this national recognition are models of high 
educational standards and accountability.
  Easton is a rural community of 1,300 residents in Aroostook County, 
just 20 miles from my hometown of Caribou. It is a small town with a 
big commitment to education.
  Easton Elementary School's mission is to achieve academic excellence 
in a safe and nurturing environment of fairness, respect, and caring. 
All students are provided with personal enrichment opportunities and 
work with teachers and staff to set their own learning goals.
  The core curriculum is math, literacy, and social studies, with a 
particular focus on science. Students regularly visit the renowned 
Francis Malcolm Science Center in Easton, which has a planetarium, 
interactive laboratory, and nature studies area.
  In addition to strong theater and music programs, the school places 
an emphasis on helping students develop healthy lifestyles. The 
relationship between the school and the Easton Recreation Department 
provides students with opportunities for traditional sports 
programming, as well as cooking lessons and babysitting courses.
  Citizenship is an important part of the curriculum. Students 
participate in activities to support polio vaccine distribution, cancer 
research, and Down syndrome awareness. Easton is an agricultural 
community, and the school continues the Aroostook County tradition of 
starting the school year early to accommodate a 3-week break in the 
fall so students can help local farmers with the potato harvest. An 
active parent-teacher organization helps to forge a strong bond between 
the school and the community.
  I applaud the administrators, teachers, staff, and parents of Easton 
Elementary School. Together, they are succeeding in their mission to 
build students' confidence and generate momentum for learning. I am 
pleased that the U.S. Department of Education has selected Easton 
Elementary School for this well-deserved honor, and I congratulate the 
entire community for this outstanding achievement.

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