[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 11] [Senate] [Pages 15451-15452] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]HARRIET BEECHER STOWE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, DULUTH, MINNESOTA Mr. DAYTON. Mr. President, today I honor Harriet Beecher Stowe Elementary School, in Duluth, MN, which recently earned an Award for Excellence in Education for its exceptional and innovative achievements in educating children. Harriet Beecher Stowe Elementary School is truly a model of educational success. For past 12 years, the school has embraced an environmental education emphasis, with a 100-percent commitment to recycling, breakfast and lunch waste reduction, an integrated environmental education curriculum, a composting shed, an alternative- energy tower, and annual environmentally themed service-learning projects at all grade levels. Stowe Elementary was one of six Minnesota schools to receive last year's Spotlight Award from the Minnesota Academic Excellence Foundation. Improving pupils' achievement is also a primary focus at Stowe Elementary. The teachers and administrators establish annual goals relative to student achievement in reading, math, and writing, in addition to a goal related to the school's overall learning environment. The goals are comprehensive, including individual goals [[Page 15452]] for every staff member. It has a summer ``Jump Start'' EXCEL Program for pupils determined to be at risk for maintaining their grade-level performance. Last year, Stowe Elementary received four stars in both reading and math from the Minnesota Department of Education. Much of the credit for Harriet Beecher Stowe Elementary School's success belongs to its principal, Terry Cottingham, and to the dedicated teachers. The pupils and staff at Harriet Beecher Stowe Elementary School understand that, in order to be successful, a school must go beyond achieving academic success; it must also provide a nurturing environment where students can develop the knowledge, skills, and attitudes for success throughout life. All of the faculty, staff, and pupils at Harriet Beecher Stowe Elementary School should be very proud of their accomplishments. I congratulate Harriet Beecher Stowe Elementary School in Duluth for winning the Award for Excellence in Education and for its exceptional contributions to education in Minnesota. ____________________