H.R. No. 968 R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, Sharon Christa McAuliffe Elementary School has 1-2 achieved outstanding success with its participation as a Mentor 1-3 School, one of an elite group of public schools chosen for a 1-4 leadership role in the state Mentor School Network by the Texas 1-5 Education Agency; and 1-6 WHEREAS, Founded in 1993, the Mentor School Network strives 1-7 to enhance the quality of education in our state by creating a 1-8 cadre of exceptional and innovative schools that other schools can 1-9 turn to for guidance, training, and staff development and to share 1-10 new ideas and programs; an immediate success, the network now 1-11 includes more than 2,000 schools statewide and has won widespread 1-12 acclaim at both the state and national levels; and 1-13 WHEREAS, Named for the first teacher to serve as an astronaut 1-14 in America's space program, Sharon Christa McAuliffe Elementary 1-15 School first opened its doors in McAllen in 1986 and has received 1-16 high marks from educators, parents, and the community for its low 1-17 student/teacher ratio, high daily attendance, and impressive zero 1-18 percent student retention rate; and 1-19 WHEREAS, The school's students participate in a variety of 1-20 activities that stress fundamental skills and that fully engage 1-21 their critical and creative thinking abilities, such as working in 1-22 the computer lab, journal writing, learning "Math Their Way," peer 1-23 tutoring, Book Buddies, and viewing a special laser disc that 1-24 introduces inquisitive young minds to the wonders of science; and 2-1 WHEREAS, Teachers take part in a program of ongoing 2-2 professional development in which they polish their basic skills 2-3 and become familiar with new teaching methods and technology, 2-4 efforts that have produced tangible results in the classroom as 2-5 well as favorable feedback from parents, colleagues, and the 2-6 greater community; and 2-7 WHEREAS, This exemplary school owes much of its success to 2-8 principal Joanetta Ellis who has provided expert direction to the 2-9 school's talented faculty and staff and has enlisted the support of 2-10 parents, community volunteers, and The University of Texas--Pan 2-11 American to help with the school's Call-In Parent Access Line, 2-12 guest speaker program, and educational field experiences, as well 2-13 as other enriching activities; and 2-14 WHEREAS, The participation of Sharon Christa McAuliffe 2-15 Elementary School as a Mentor School in the state network has been 2-16 a rewarding experience for the school's dedicated employees, as 2-17 well as the staff of the McAllen Independent School District; the 2-18 school is one of four Mentor Schools in the McAllen area to receive 2-19 this prestigious designation, a truly noteworthy achievement that 2-20 is a source of great pride for local citizens; and 2-21 WHEREAS, A sparkling example of excellence in education, 2-22 Sharon Christa McAuliffe Elementary School is helping to shape 2-23 tomorrow's leaders with pride and determination and indeed merits 2-24 our highest praise and recognition for its many contributions as a 2-25 member of the Mentor School Network; now, therefore, be it 2-26 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 74th Texas 2-27 Legislature hereby commend Sharon Christa McAuliffe Elementary 3-1 School for its exceptional participation in the state Mentor School 3-2 Network and extend best wishes to the school's faculty, staff, 3-3 parents, and students for their continued success with this 3-4 worthwhile program; and, be it further 3-5 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 3-6 prepared for prominent display at Sharon Christa McAuliffe 3-7 Elementary School as an expression of highest regard by the Texas 3-8 House of Representatives.