HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 343 Offered February 17, 2006 Commending Mel J. Riddile. ----------
Patrons-- Hull, Albo, Amundson, Brink, Bulova, Callahan, Caputo, Ebbin, Eisenberg, Englin, Hugo, Marsden, May, McQuigg, Moran, Parrish, Plum, Poisson, Rust, Scott, J.M., Shannon, Sickles and Watts; Senators: Colgan, Devolites Davis, Howell, O'Brien, Potts, Puller, Saslaw, Ticer and Whipple
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WHEREAS, the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) and MetLife honored Mel J. Riddile, principal of JEB Stuart High School in Falls Church, with the 2006 National High School Principal of the Year award; and

WHEREAS, Mel Riddile received the award for demonstrating excellence in resolving complex problems involving the local community and the school, as well as his consistent success in improving JEB Stuart High School’s overall learning environment; and

WHEREAS, a dynamic and visionary administrator, Mel Riddile, through short- and long-term goals and strategic planning, displayed the leadership ability to bring students, staff, and teachers, as well as the community, together to facilitate lasting change in school programs; and

WHEREAS, Mel Riddile evaluated the needs of JEB Stuart High School and determined that innovative new programs were needed to improve overall student achievement, raise SOL and SAT scores, and encourage more students, particularly minority students, to take more challenging, upper-level courses; and

WHEREAS, while facing the challenge of a school population that is two-thirds second language learners, Mel Riddile’s successful implementation of a schoolwide reading initiative paid significant dividends in its first year; and

WHEREAS, JEB Stuart High School's award-winning reading program has become a national model that will be featured in a new publication entitled, Creating a Culture of Literacy: A Guide for Middle and High School Principals and will be available to every public and private middle school and high school in the nation; and

WHEREAS, Mel Riddile was instrumental in JEB Stuart High School being honored as a Breakthrough High School by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and NASSP; and

WHEREAS, schools recognized by this program are challenged by high poverty and minority school populations, however, through hard work and innovation achieve exceptionally high graduation and college acceptance rates; and

WHEREAS, one of Mel Riddile's most significant achievements was the introduction of an International Baccalaureate program into the curriculum and subsequently JEB Stuart High School’s earning of the 2004 International Baccalaureate Inspiration Award; and

WHEREAS, an exemplary and dedicated principal, Mel Riddile exhibits energy, enthusiasm, and an exceptional ability to communicate; and he is committed to establishing a schoolwide sense of responsibility, trust, pride, and high student achievement; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend and congratulate Mel J. Riddile as a recipient of the 2006 National High School Principal of the Year award; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Mel J. Riddile as an expression of the General Assembly's gratitude for his commitment to the young people of the community of Falls Church.