Presents Volunteer Service Awards to Student, Parent

PHILADELPHIA, PA - U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings today visited M. Hall Stanton Elementary School in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to mark Martin Luther King, Jr. Day by commending students, teachers, and administrators for their success in narrowing the achievement gap. During a school assembly, Secretary Spellings joined Paul Vallas, President and CEO of the School District of Philadelphia, in recognizing M. Hall Stanton Elementary for outstanding improvement over the past few years.

“Your success is an example to this nation and I couldn’t be more proud to be here with you today to celebrate Dr. King,” said Secretary Spellings. “His legacy of service and devotion are reflected in the hard work of Stanton Elementary’s educators and the diligence of its students. In fifth grade alone, the number of Stanton Elementary students reading on grade level increased almost six-fold since 2002 and the percentage of students doing math on grade level increased from 19 to 83 percent between 2003 and 2006. That’s more than a 60 percent increase and you should be very proud of that. Your progress proves that our No Child Left Behind goal of every student reading and doing math at grade level by 2014 is absolutely achievable and that every school can give its students the quality education they deserve and parents expect.”

Spellings also reminded students of the importance of service in honoring Martin Luther King, Jr. and honored two members of the Stanton community for their devotion to serving others.

“As we celebrate the legacy of Dr. King, I encourage you to follow his example of service,” said Spellings. “At Stanton elementary, you don’t have to look far to find people who honor his memory in this way. The teachers follow his example every day by giving of themselves to improve the lives of the children here. Parents volunteer to help this school succeed in its mission of building great lives for its students. And even the children pitch in. Today, I’d like to recognize two members of the Stanton community for their selfless service to others.”

Secretary Spellings honored sixth grader Kaitlyn Lindsay and parent Theresa Addison with the President’s Volunteer Service Awards. Ms. Lindsay was presented with the Bronze President's Volunteer Service Award, and Ms. Addison received the Lifetime

President's Volunteer Service Award for her dedication to M. Hall Stanton Elementary School. Kaitlyn Lindsay volunteers every Friday at the Clara Baldwin Nursing Facility visiting the patients, distributing medicine, and passing out magazines and snacks. Theresa Addison has been volunteering every day at M. Hall Stanton Elementary School since 1989, staffing the front door, answering phones, cleaning up lunchroom tables, assisting teachers in classrooms and fundraising for the home and school association.

“Monday’s holiday gives everyone a chance to follow the example of Martin Luther King, Jr.,” said Secretary Spellings. “Instead of taking the day off, we can help fulfill his dream by making the holiday a day of service. Working hard and breaking down barriers is what this school is about, and all of you have an opportunity to inspire others to do the same.”

Earlier this week, Secretary Spellings marked the fifth anniversary of the No Child Left Behind Act, and noted the gains made nationwide. Fourth graders have improved in reading and math according to the 2005 Nation’s Report Card. The same assessment showed that the achievement gap is narrowing in the fourth grade.

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