H*4225 Concurrent Resolution, By J.E. Smith, Harrison, Rutherford and Lourie
 A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO COMMEND AND CONGRATULATE HAND MIDDLE SCHOOL OF
 RICHLAND COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT 1 UPON BEING NAMED TIME MAGAZINE SCHOOL OF THE
 YEAR, AN HONOR THAT RECOGNIZES KINDERGARTEN THROUGH TWELFTH GRADE SCHOOLS THAT
 ARE CONSIDERED "EDUCATIONAL PIONEERS" AND WISH THE SCHOOL CONTINUED SUCCESS IN
 ALL ITS ENDEAVORS.

   05/31/01  House  Introduced, adopted, sent to Senate HJ-2
   06/04/01  Senate Introduced, adopted, returned with concurrence SJ-10

TO COMMEND AND CONGRATULATE HAND MIDDLE SCHOOL OF RICHLAND COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT 1 UPON BEING NAMED TIME MAGAZINE SCHOOL OF THE YEAR, AN HONOR THAT RECOGNIZES KINDERGARTEN THROUGH TWELFTH GRADE SCHOOLS THAT ARE CONSIDERED "EDUCATIONAL PIONEERS" AND WISH THE SCHOOL CONTINUED SUCCESS IN ALL ITS ENDEAVORS.

Whereas, the members of the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina are pleased to honor Hand Middle School on the occasion of its recent success of being chosen as one of Time magazine's three Schools of the Year. In its search for these three exemplary schools, Time magazine looked for schools that have made the most interesting and admirable progress in addressing the major issues in education; and

Whereas, in its investigation of schools, Time magazine looked for the most promising approaches to the most challenging aspects of education such as using wisely the freedom granted to charter schools, educating the children of the poor, consolidating schools in rural areas, making effective use of technology in teaching, and getting parents and communities involved in the education of their children; and

Whereas, Hand Middle School, whose mission is "to build a common culture based on an appreciation of excellence in all forms and the establishment of shared goals", has progressed exponentially under the leadership of Principal Jeanne Stiglbauer. She has recruited religious leaders, police, civic groups, parents, teachers, and businesses to help make the school into a Time magazine School of the Year; and

Whereas, Principal Stiglbauer has seen fewer disciplinary problems; higher attendance rates; a rise in test scores from the fiftieth percentile in 1995 to the ninetieth percentile in 1999 among South Carolina schools; and new technology including the addition of over one hundred seventy-five new computers, a school-wide network, three computer labs, a community center, and a set of proficiencies for student mastery; and

Whereas, the faculty and staff at Hand Middle School encourage all of the approximately nine hundred-fifty students to participate in the school's sports teams, technology classes, and arts electives; and

Whereas, Hand Middle School also has "early bird" classes for students and peer tutoring and also houses a federally funded technology center that provides computer training for community residents; and

Whereas, last year Hand Middle School was honored as a National Blue Ribbon School by the United States Department of Education and as a Palmetto's Finest award recipient by the South Carolina Association of School Administrators. Also, earlier this year, Principal Jeanne Stiglbauer was named South Carolina's Middle School Principal of the Year; and

Whereas, the General Assembly sincerely praises Hand Middle School, its students, teachers, faculty, and parents on the remarkable restoration of the school over the last several years and for its recent national recognition as Time magazine School of the Year. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:

That the members of the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina, by this resolution, commend and congratulate Hand Middle School in Columbia upon being named Time magazine School of the Year, an honor that recognizes kindergarten through twelfth grade schools that are considered "educational pioneers", and wish the school continued success in all its endeavors.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Principal Jeanne Stiglbauer and other school officials.