SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 281
	WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased
to recognize Mae Smythe Elementary School of the Pasadena 
Independent School District on earning the designation of 
"Year-Round School of Merit"; and
	WHEREAS, The school received this prestigious award for 
its commitment to improving the education of students through a 
balanced and extended calendar year of classes and through the 
use of innovative means to enhance student achievement; nearly 
one half of the 700 students at the school participate in the 
year-round program; and
	WHEREAS, Mae Smythe Elementary School is one of only five 
year-round schools in the nation to earn the title of "Year-Round 
School of Merit" for 2002-2003; the school was also named one of 
the top 40 schools in the state by the Texas Business and 
Education Coalition; and
	WHEREAS, Parents, staff, and community members are 
involved in a team effort to enhance student achievement at the 
school; to inspire and motivate its students, the school offers 
accelerated classes in reading and mathematics, leadership 
training in peer mediation, and enrichment classes, such as 
cooking, quilting, and arts and crafts; and
	WHEREAS, Under the capable leadership of principal
Emily Maddox and the school's dedicated teachers, fourth and 
fifth graders at the school achieved the third-highest scores
in the state in the reading portion of the Texas Assessment of 
Academic Skills evaluation for the 2002-2003 school year; and

	WHEREAS, Mae Smythe Elementary School exemplifies the 
highest ideals of a well-grounded and sound approach to preparing 
the young people of Texas for the future, and it truly deserves 
recognition for its selection as a "Year-Round School of Merit"; 
now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas,
78th Legislature, hereby commend and congratulate the school
for this outstanding accomplishment; and, be it further
	RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for 
Mae Smythe Elementary School as an expression of esteem from the 
Texas Senate.
                                                                         Jackson




________________________________ 
    President of the Senate
 
    I hereby certify that the 
above Resolution was adopted by 
the Senate on March 3, 2003.



________________________________ 
    Secretary of the Senate



________________________________ 
     Member, Texas Senate