WHEREAS, in 2012 Sterling Middle School celebrates 41 years of service to the families of Sterling in Loudoun County; and

WHEREAS, Sterling Middle School seeks to be a Lighthouse school characterized by a culturally responsive, exemplary learning community that promotes academic excellence and service to others and is built upon the foundation of respect, meaningful relationships, relevant and engaging learning, and effective communication; and

WHEREAS, Sterling Middle School teachers build this foundation through implementation of purposeful professional learning communities, interdisciplinary teams, and creative instructional practices; and

WHEREAS, Sterling Middle School strives to have students develop good speaking, writing, reading, listening, problem-solving, and math skills; be independent, responsible citizens; develop good work habits and ethics; become creative, imaginative thinkers; and understand and practice good mental and physical health habits; and

WHEREAS, Sterling Middle School strives to create a culture of inclusion, equity, and excellence that engages students in activities that develop generosity of spirit; and

WHEREAS, under the leadership of Principal Nereida Gonzalez-Sales, Sterling Middle School implemented the Best Buddies program to end bullying; encourage tolerance, acceptance, and friendships; and educate students about people with disabilities; and

WHEREAS, Best Buddies is a nonprofit organization dedicated to enhancing the lives of people with disabilities by providing opportunities for one-to-one friendships and designed to improve the school environment by promoting friendships between individuals with disabilities (Buddies) and individuals without disabilities (Peer Buddies); and

WHEREAS, Sterling Middle School was the first active middle school chapter of Best Buddies in Virginia and was the only chapter for five years; in 2011 Best Buddies Sterling won an award for top middle school at the Best Buddies Friendship Walk; and

WHEREAS, in March 2012, Best Buddies celebrated Autism Awareness Month by participating in activities to learn about the challenges and struggles of people with autism spectrum disorders; and

WHEREAS, on March 7, 2012, Sterling Middle School students joined "Spread the Word to End the Word," a national campaign to discontinue the use of the word "retard," to end bullying of mentally handicapped individuals; and

WHEREAS, students at Sterling Middle School embraced the spirit of accepting differences and being sensitive to the feelings of others and, along with staff, signed the pledge to spread the word to end the "r-word" and replace it with respect; and

WHEREAS, students at Sterling Middle School have the opportunity to create art as well as discuss art history, criticism, and aesthetics; explore drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpting, and visual imaging; and discover artworks and artists from many different backgrounds and time periods; and

WHEREAS, in 2010 students from Sterling Middle School exhibited their artwork at The George Washington University Virginia Science and Technology Campus and participated in the Loudoun County Public Schools Art Festival, where their art was on display in the Loudoun County School Administration building; and

WHEREAS, Sterling Middle School is fortunate to have access to cutting-edge technology resources with every classroom having two computers, a color printer, and an interactive whiteboard; the school has four computer labs with color and laser printers, 80 wireless laptops, digital cameras, scanners, and a long list of software applications; and

WHEREAS, Sterling Middle School students participate in the technology education program, which provides active learning situations and opportunities to develop higher order thinking skills through the application of knowledge, creativity, and resources to solve problems; and

WHEREAS, Sterling Middle School looks forward to continuing to provide its students with a superior education to enable them to excel in their future endeavors; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, That Sterling Middle School hereby be commended on the occasion of its 41st anniversary; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Nereida Gonzalez-Sales, principal of Sterling Middle School, as an expression of the House of Delegates' congratulations and admiration for the school's commitment to its students.