TITLE: Congratulating James B. Bonham Elementary School in Dallas on its selection as a Blue Ribbon School.

SUMMARY: Congratulating James B. Bonham Elementary School in Dallas on its selection as a Blue Ribbon School.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, James B. Bonham Elementary School in the Dallas Independent School District was named a 2010 Blue Ribbon School, the highest national designation a school can receive; and WHEREAS, Founded by the United States Department of Education in 1982, the Blue Ribbon Schools Program honors high-performing public and private schools that have demonstrated significant gains in student achievement, especially among disadvantaged students; and WHEREAS, Bonham Elementary was one of only 25 schools in Texas to achieve the blue ribbon designation in 2010; the school has held an Exemplary rating from the Texas Education Agency since 2003, and it has received a number of other honors, including the National Center for Urban School Transformation Award for 2008-2009; the Texas Business and Education Coalition and Just for the Kids have placed Bonham on the Just for the Kids Honor Roll for five consecutive years; and WHEREAS, Under the leadership of principal Sandra Fernandez, the dedicated faculty and staff of Bonham Elementary have created a friendly, child-focused, and challenging learning environment; the many alumni who are now staff members or parents of students help maintain a strong sense of continuity at the nearly 90-year-old school; in addition, 91 percent of the teachers have six or more years' experience and half have earned master's degrees; and WHEREAS, Through commitment, hard work, and perseverance, the administrators, teachers, and students of Bonham Elementary School have built a record of academic excellence, and their efforts have been duly recognized with this prestigious accolade; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas Legislature hereby congratulate James B. Bonham Elementary School on its selection as a 2010 National Blue Ribbon School and commend all those associated with this outstanding institution of learning; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for Bonham Elementary as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives. Branch Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 1976 was adopted by the House on May 26, 2011, by a non-record vote. Chief Clerk of the House