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| 3 | 4 | | |
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| 4 | 5 | | R E S O L U T I O N |
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| 5 | 6 | | WHEREAS, Since 2007, the Rise School of Corpus Christi has |
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| 6 | 7 | | provided a unique and supportive learning environment for area |
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| 7 | 8 | | toddlers and preschoolers, including those with special needs; and |
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| 8 | 9 | | WHEREAS, The school was established by a Corpus Christi |
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| 9 | 10 | | couple who, after their son was born with Down syndrome in 2006, |
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| 10 | 11 | | began a search for an early childhood program that could offer |
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| 11 | 12 | | full-time educational and therapeutic services for young children |
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| 12 | 13 | | with developmental disabilities; and |
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| 13 | 14 | | WHEREAS, Discouraged by the lack of opportunities in the |
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| 14 | 15 | | area, the family discovered the "Rise" program in Tuscaloosa, |
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| 15 | 16 | | Alabama, which uses a research-based model in which children with |
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| 16 | 17 | | disabilities are integrated with nondisabled peers; this tested |
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| 17 | 18 | | approach, combined with other best practices in early childhood |
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| 18 | 19 | | education, has resulted in a higher level of achievement among |
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| 19 | 20 | | children in the program compared with more traditional learning |
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| 20 | 21 | | methods; and |
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| 21 | 22 | | WHEREAS, In order to make this state-of-the-art resource a |
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| 22 | 23 | | reality in Corpus Christi, a skilled and motivated staff of |
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| 23 | 24 | | community volunteers was recruited, and a partnership was forged |
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| 24 | 25 | | with Driscoll Children's Hospital; the Rise School of Corpus |
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| 25 | 26 | | Christi today builds on this strong foundation in its mission to |
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| 26 | 27 | | ensure its young charges every advantage in reaching their full |
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| 27 | 28 | | potential, and the school is also engaged in research, outreach, |
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| 28 | 29 | | and public awareness activities; and |
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| 29 | 30 | | WHEREAS, This exceptional institution is guided by an |
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| 30 | 31 | | outstanding board of directors, which includes president Amy |
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| 31 | 32 | | Keramian Brown, secretary Jennifer Childers, treasurer Frank |
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| 32 | 33 | | Hastings, and members Newman Baker, Adriana Lopez, Chrissy Royo, |
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| 33 | 34 | | Cammy Mikulencak, Karen McCaleb, Amanda Cutbirth, Butch Pool, |
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| 34 | 35 | | Jessica Davila-Burnett, Sarah Tindall, and Vanessa Nisbet; and |
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| 35 | 36 | | WHEREAS, Through the service rendered by these individuals |
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| 36 | 37 | | and the program's dedicated volunteers, the Rise School of Corpus |
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| 37 | 38 | | Christi is enhancing the quality of education enjoyed by young |
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| 38 | 39 | | children with diverse abilities, and in so doing, it is making a |
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| 39 | 40 | | difference in the lives of many young Texans and their families that |
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| 40 | 41 | | is truly beyond measure; now, therefore, be it |
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| 41 | 42 | | RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas |
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| 42 | 43 | | Legislature hereby honor the Rise School of Corpus Christi and |
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| 43 | 44 | | extend to all those involved with the school sincere best wishes for |
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| 44 | 45 | | continued success; and, be it further |
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| 45 | 46 | | RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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| 46 | 47 | | prepared for the school as an expression of high regard by the Texas |
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| 47 | 48 | | House of Representatives. |
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