Introduced By: Senators Blais, Breene and Raptakis
Date Introduced : June 17, 1997
Referred To: Senate Read and Passed
WHEREAS, The honors afforded to the Western Coventry Elementary School by the National Elementary School Recognition Program are a testament to Western Coventry's abiding emphasis on excellence, hard work, discipline, and innovation. The school's strong commitment from its principal, teachers, and parents to constantly improving this already exemplary school has earned Western Coventry this official recognition by the United States Department of Education; and
WHEREAS, The only public school in Rhode Island to become a Blue Ribbon School this year, Western Coventry Elementary School impressed officials representing this prestigious national program with such innovative efforts as the school's special education inclusion program which incorporates handicapped students into the daily curriculum and its focus on constant development; and
WHEREAS, Also to Western Coventry's credit are the school's mentoring program which pairs at-risk students with teachers for one-on-one instruction and its school-based governance model--the first established in the town. Additional factors taken into consideration were the staff's talent in utilizing research and Western Coventry's strong discipline program; and
WHEREAS, This recent recognition of the fine work being done at Western Coventry Elementary School is but the latest in what is becoming a rich tradition of honors. Principal Barry Ricci received the accolades of his peers by earning the 1996 Rhode Island Principal of the Year Award and the 1996 Distinguished Principal Award. The Western Coventry Parents Teachers Association was also recognized when it received the Advocates for Children Award in 1992; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations is hereby pleased and proud to congratulate the Western Coventry Elementary School on being named a Blue Ribbon School. The Blue Ribbon School Program exists to honor elementary and middle schools of excellence throughout the nation, and in recognizing the Western Coventry Elementary School, the Blue Ribbon School Program is honoring an institution that already enjoys a well-deserved reputation for advancing the cause of quality education in the Ocean State. This Senate is certain that Western Coventry will continue in this leadership role for many years to come; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and he hereby is authorized and directed to transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Western Coventry Elementary School Principal Barry Ricci.