CCISD becomes 100% Purple Star district, awarded 10 Purple Stars by Governor Abbott Thursday
Special to the Leader-Press
Copperas Cove ISD is now one of 13 districts in Texas to become a 100% Purple Star district.
Thursday, Governor Greg Abbott and the Texas Education Agency announced 10 campuses across Copperas Cove were named Purple Star Designated Campuses, recognizing the schools’ support and commitment to meeting the unique needs of military-connected students and their families.
S.C. Lee Jr. High School earned its designation for the first time, the final school in CCISD to earn its designation.
“We are so proud that S.C. Lee has been awarded the Purple Star designation,” S.C. Lee principal Marshall Chauvin said. “This honor highlights our dedication to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for students form military families.”
Clements/Parsons Elementary School, Copperas Cove High School, Copperas Cove Jr. High School, Fairview/Jewell Elementary School, Hettie Halstead Elementary School, House Creek Elementary School, Mae Stevens Early Learning Academy, Martin Walker Elementary School and Williams/Ledger Elementary School all earned renewed designations Thursday, which last for two years.
Crossroads High School was awarded its two-year designation last year, meaning all of CCISD’s 11 campuses hold active Purple Star designations. Of the 13 districts to earn 100% Purple Star honors across the state, three are entirely located within military installations.
“We value our partnership with our neighbors at Fort Cavazos and are honored to be able to serve so many military-connected students and families in our district,” superintendent Dr. Joe Burns said. “So many of our teachers, paraprofessionals and administrators work tirelessly to serve those who serve our nation and make their experience in Cove a positive one, we are grateful that the TEA has acknowledged their efforts.”
About 47% of students in Copperas Cove ISD are military-connected, with those percentages jumping to more than 60% on campuses like Hettie Halstead Elementary.
The Purple Star Campus Designation program was launched by the 86th Texas Legislature through SB 1557 and took effect on April 9, 2020. Since the award first launched, CCISD has never had fewer than eight Purple Star designated campuses.
To earn the award, schools must designate a campus-based military liaison, create and maintain an easily accessible webpage that includes information for military-connected students and their families, institute a campus transition program for military-connected students and they must support a military family assistance initiative.
All public schools in Texas are eligible for a Purple Star designation, regardless of military-connected population size. This year, the state awarded 541 designations.
“Texas is forever grateful for the selfless sacrifice our brave veterans and their families made in service to our state and our nation,” said Governor Abbott. “We will always support our heroes, including the hundreds of thousands of military-connected students attending our public schools across Texas, and this impressive 202% increase in designations demonstrates just that. With the Purple Star Campus Designation, schools are recognized for their continued dedication to meet the unique educational needs of military-connected students and their families. Texas will always ensure that the men and women who served in our nation’s military and their families have the tools and skills they need to succeed in the greatest state in the greatest country in the history of the world.”