WHEREAS, for 100 years, Franklin Sherman Elementary School, an outstanding public primary school in McLean, has provided students with the tools to achieve success and build a foundation for lifelong learning; and

WHEREAS, as the first consolidated school in Fairfax County, Franklin Sherman Elementary School was established when four one-room schoolhouses were consolidated in a small brick building in 1914; the reorganized school was named for Civil War captain, Fairfax County sheriff, and entomologist Franklin Sherman and strives to carry on his legacy of intellectual curiosity and service to the community; and

WHEREAS, opening with only 29 students, Franklin Sherman Elementary School moved to its current location in 1952 to better serve its growing student body; the school played a crucial role in medical history as the site of the first polio vaccination trials in 1954; and

WHEREAS, with a current enrollment of almost 400 students representing 30 countries and 20 languages, Franklin Sherman Elementary School emphasizes respect for and understanding of other cultures, and faculty and staff work to ensure that all students have a safe, nurturing environment in which they can learn and grow; and

WHEREAS, over the decades, countless faculty, administrators, staff, volunteers, and parents of Franklin Sherman Elementary School have worked and generously volunteered their time to ensure that students receive a balanced, high-quality education and have the opportunity to take part in outstanding extracurricular programs; and

WHEREAS, among Franklin Sherman Elementary School's many awards and accolades for its commitment to students and innovative programs, the school received a bronze award from the National Wildlife Federation for environmental awareness in 2013; and

WHEREAS, Franklin Sherman Elementary School will commemorate its 100th anniversary with events throughout the year, including the second Monster Mash 5K race and a homecoming gala on October 26, 2014, and students will develop a timeline of the school's storied history; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend Franklin Sherman Elementary School on the occasion of its 100th anniversary; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Kathleen Quigley, principal of Franklin Sherman Elementary School, as an expression of the General Assembly's admiration for the school's tradition of excellence and service to the youth of the community.