By Shields H.R. No. 1203 77R17367 MJS-D R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, Hidden Forest Elementary School in San Antonio has 1-2 been named a national Blue Ribbon School by the United States 1-3 Department of Education; and 1-4 WHEREAS, Established in 1982, the federal program recognizes 1-5 schools that have demonstrated successful teaching, a challenging 1-6 curriculum, high student performance, a safe environment, and 1-7 strong community partnerships; and 1-8 WHEREAS, Only 264 elementary schools in the nation were 1-9 accorded this prestigious honor, and Hidden Forest was one of 37 1-10 elementary schools in the Lone Star State to earn the notable 1-11 distinction; and 1-12 WHEREAS, Hidden Forest has achieved an exemplary rating from 1-13 the Texas Education Agency for the past two consecutive years, and 1-14 its students have displayed consistent academic growth in the Texas 1-15 Assessment of Academic Skills test over the past five years; and 1-16 WHEREAS, Constructed in 1978, Hidden Forest's campus 1-17 originally had 24 classrooms, as well as a learning resource 1-18 center, gymnasium, and music/stage room; an annex building 1-19 containing 12 additional classrooms and an enlarged office and 1-20 cafeteria was built in 1989; and 1-21 WHEREAS, In 1998-1999, the school incorporated a computer 1-22 network system for two computer labs and installed computers and 1-23 Internet capability in each classroom and office on its campus; and 1-24 WHEREAS, Using "Be the Best You Can Be" as its official 2-1 school motto, Hidden Forest is committed to academic excellence 2-2 while providing a rewarding and fulfilling learning environment for 2-3 its approximately 550 students; administrators and faculty members 2-4 regularly attend workshops, participate in study teams, conduct 2-5 book studies, and exchange ideas with each other about effective 2-6 teaching methods in order to adapt to the individual needs of all 2-7 of the school children; and 2-8 WHEREAS, Support from the community has also played an 2-9 integral role in the school's success, and the Parent Teacher 2-10 Association has won district, local, state, and two national awards 2-11 for its outstanding membership, innovative programs, beautification 2-12 efforts, and volunteer hours; and 2-13 WHEREAS, Additionally, parents and staff members at Hidden 2-14 Forest have worked together to introduce such worthwhile 2-15 initiatives as the 4 Blocks Literacy and Accelerated Reader 2-16 programs and an enrichment curriculum that teaches Spanish, music, 2-17 and the arts to every student; they have also overseen the creation 2-18 of the district's first science lab, which now serves as a model 2-19 for other campuses; and 2-20 WHEREAS, The school's administration and faculty are helping 2-21 students to develop skills that will undoubtedly benefit them as 2-22 they embrace the myriad opportunities and challenges of the future; 2-23 now, therefore, be it 2-24 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 77th Texas 2-25 Legislature hereby congratulate Hidden Forest Elementary School on 2-26 being chosen as a national Blue Ribbon School and extend sincere 2-27 best wishes to all those associated with this fine school; and, be 3-1 it further 3-2 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 3-3 prepared for Hidden Forest Elementary School as an expression of 3-4 high regard by the Texas House of Representatives.