Purple Star Award Given To 2 Strongsville Schools

STRONGSVILLE, OH — Strongsville High has been named a recipient of the Purple Star Award from the Ohio Department of Education. The award goes to schools that are committed to helping military families. Whitney Elementary won the award in March.

“A supportive school environment can have a significant impact on our military-connected students, and we’re happy to see such a great interest in this designation by Ohio’s schools,” said State Superintendent of Public Instruction Paolo DeMaria. “These Purple Star schools provide our children and families with the resources they need to be successful. We’re thankful for their service and honored to continue the important work of improving services for Ohio’s military families.”

Thirty-three schools across the state earned the Purple Star Award in 2018. An actual Purple Star display will be given to each school for them to display.

Purple Star designations last for two years. The Purple Star Advisory Board helps decide the eligibility of each school. The Purple Star emblem was selected because the color purple symbolizes support for military families.

Qualifying for the award requires two steps: having a dedicated liaison between the school and military families and having a part of the school's website be dedicated to resources for military families. The school must then do one of these three things: professional development or additional staff for military families and kids; the local school board passes a resolution publicizing the school's support for military children and families; or the school hosts a military recognition event for children and families.

The Strongsville School District has not yet responded to Patch's request for comment on Strongsville High winning the award. However, in the case of Whitney, the award was specifically earned by one teacher: Debbie Gonczy. The teacher holds an annual Veterans Day Assembly and the "Whitney Boot Camp." Inspired by two military families at the school, Gonczy completed training and coursework through the Ohio Department of Education to make Whitney a "military-friendly" school.

Photo from Google Earth