By: Cain H.R. No. 524 73R8336 BNL-D R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, The students, faculty, and staff of Stonewall 1-2 Jackson Elementary School consistently strive to attain the highest 1-3 levels of learning within a nurturing school environment, and their 1-4 dedication to excellence in education was rewarded recently when 1-5 this fine school was named one of "America's Best Schools" in the 1-6 April 1993 issue of Redbook magazine; and 1-7 WHEREAS, This exceptional school was one of 177 public 1-8 elementary schools from across the nation recognized for innovative 1-9 and successful programs, caring teachers, and challenging 1-10 curriculum; and 1-11 WHEREAS, Stonewall Jackson Elementary School excels in all 1-12 these areas and more largely because teachers and parents have high 1-13 expectations for all of the students, and they have created a warm 1-14 and supportive atmosphere in which students are encouraged to meet, 1-15 and often exceed, these standards; and 1-16 WHEREAS, By putting much thought and effort into every lesson 1-17 plan, teachers continue discovering creative and challenging ways 1-18 to bring academic lessons to life; children are taught not just 1-19 through lectures and books but also through field trips, contests, 1-20 and hands-on experimentation and participation; and 1-21 WHEREAS, This stimulating curriculum is supported by an 1-22 enthusiastic group of parents who volunteer their time and talent 1-23 to the school; these dedicated parents assist in the classroom, 1-24 tutor students who need help, organize carnivals and other 2-1 celebrations, and sponsor a wide array of extracurricular 2-2 activities, and through their hard work and commitment they have 2-3 opened up new worlds of opportunity for the school's students; and 2-4 WHEREAS, Perhaps the most important feature of this 2-5 outstanding school is the camaraderie that has been built among the 2-6 students, as evidenced by the fact that all 550 learn sign language 2-7 so they can communicate with their 70 classmates who are hearing 2-8 impaired; in doing this, the students have broken down the barriers 2-9 that might separate them and have forged a common identity, and 2-10 most important, they have learned to respect all individuals by 2-11 focusing on our shared humanity rather than on our differences; and 2-12 WHEREAS, Across Texas and across the nation, citizens are 2-13 examining their schools and exploring ways of making educational 2-14 institutions more responsive to the needs of today's children; the 2-15 students, teachers, parents, and staff of Stonewall Jackson 2-16 Elementary School are an inspiration to all Americans, for these 2-17 commendable individuals have gone beyond the traditional model of a 2-18 school and have created a new paradigm for education in the 21st 2-19 century and beyond; now, therefore, be it 2-20 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 73rd Texas 2-21 Legislature hereby congratulate the students, faculty, parents, and 2-22 staff of Stonewall Jackson Elementary School for making their 2-23 school one of Redbook magazine's "America's Best Schools" and 2-24 extend to each of them warmest best wishes for many more years of 2-25 continued success; and, be it further 2-26 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 2-27 prepared for Stonewall Jackson Elementary School as an expression 3-1 of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives.