Honoring Dr. Dorothy June Brown and the Laboratory Charter School of Communication and Languages for receiving the U.S. Department of Education's Blue Ribbon School of Excellence designation for having 100 percent proficiency in reading and math.

WHEREAS, Dr. Dorothy June Brown, a former teacher, principal and administrator with the Philadelphia School District, originally envisioned a school that would offer a demanding, enriched program for students; and

WHEREAS, In 1998, she founded the Laboratory Charter School of Communication and Languages with campuses in both West Philadelphia and Northern Liberties; and

WHEREAS, The Laboratory Charter School is the only charter school in Pennsylvania that has completed the rigorous process to earn accreditation from the Middle States Commission on Elementary Schools; and

WHEREAS, The School’s fifth-grade students scored among the state’s top four schools in reading and math, and the eighth-graders were first in the state in reading and math; and

WHEREAS, Only one other school in the region was in the running for the Blue Ribbon recognition with only six schools in the state received the designation; and

WHEREAS, The school uses a structured reading and writing program that begins in kindergarten and spills into all subjects by including even the youngest pupils to work together as a class with their teachers on writing projects; and

WHEREAS, This council recognizes that teachers and parents credit Brown with developing an academic program and environment that encourages students to succeed; and

WHEREAS, Several publications have further honored Dr. Brown by acknowledging this designation; and most recently, Dr. Brown was quoted as saying that, “The recognition is a reflection of the dedicated teachers, administrators and parents who understand that we have standards to be met.” She further stated that, “If given the opportunity, children, no matter what their economic, social or ethnic background, can excel’; now therefore

RESOLVED, BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY PHILADELPHIA, That we honor Dr. Dorothy June Brown and the Laboratory Charter School of Communication and Languages for receiving the U.S. Department of Education’s Blue Ribbon School of Excellence designation for having 100 percent proficiency in reading and math.

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