Recognizing the Bakersfield City School District

Floor Speech

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Mr. VALADAO. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the Bakersfield City School District as they celebrate the grand opening of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School.

Bakersfield City School District was established in 1867 with 17 students. Today, it is the largest elementary school district in California and serves over 30,000 students in the Central Valley.

The Bakersfield City School District is a model of educational excellence, equity, and innovation. They've received several awards for their work, most recently the silver award in the 2022 Magna Awards Program. The school district also received the California Exemplary District Award in 2018, 13 Golden Bells awarded by the California School Boards Association, and seven schools in the district received the California Distinguished Schools Award.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School is the 44th school established in the Bakersfield City School District. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School uses a STEAM-focused educational curriculum. Their teaching methods are not only helping students prepare for industries of the future like engineering, technology, math, art, and science, but they are helping children of all backgrounds access new ways of learning. Thanks to the work being done by the teachers and faculty of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary, the children in our communities will be better prepared to tackle the challenges of the future, develop new technologies, and advance our community forward.

I ask my colleagues in the House of Representatives to join me in recognizing Bakersfield City School District and their important work to provide high-quality education in the Central Valley.

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