National Military Child Education Coalition names House Creek Elementary in Copperas Cove top elementary school in the world for support of military-connected students

By WENDY SLEDD

Special to the Leader-Press

House Creek Elementary School has been named the top elementary school in the nation by the Military Child Education Coalition. First Lady Jill Biden made the announcement on Wednesday via video conference from the MCEC Global Summit in Washington, D.C.

“The House Creek Elementary S2S team has shown that it truly embodies the mission of S2S and continues to uphold the S2S Core Values: Leadership, Service, Academics, Finding the Way, Relationships, and 100 Percent Acceptance,” said Destiny Little, MCEC Implementation Manager of Purple Star Readiness. “The team has shown continued dedication to ensure that each new student is welcomed and accepted within their school. This team stands out amongst all elementary S2S programs worldwide. MCEC is truly proud to have the House Creek Elementary team represent the MCEC S2S program in its community and around the world.”

House Creek Elementary School Counselor Amy Simpson said the school was excited to continue the Elementary Student 2 Student leadership club on campus after a two-year hiatus due to COVID restrictions.

“The Military Child Education Coalition ES2S program is designed to increase awareness of the challenges military children face while addressing school transitions and concerns impacting mobile elementary school students,” Simpson said. “Under faculty direction and unique school culture, students emerge as peer leaders. Our goal this year was to increase leadership opportunities and promote a supportive culture for students in transition.”

House Creek Elementary Student 2 Student ambassadors show new students around the campus and become their “buddies” to help them make the transition, sitting with them at lunch time, ensuring they can find their classrooms, nurse’s office, and the restrooms.

“Providing these tours for new students also helps build relationships and encourage new friendships. New students are immediately introduced to leaders on campus and feel more at ease,” Simpson said. “There is a sense of calm that comes over these new students as they walk with their peers through the hallways and get a feel for the campus.”

S2S members are also heavily involved in community service. House Creek Elementary S2S members led the campus in the school district’s Paint the School Orange Campaign, focusing on bullying-prevention, and capturing second place. ES2S students take the lead in the school’s annual Food for Families Drive, collecting the most food in the school district every year for more than a decade. They also worked on ornaments and cards for local nursing homes at Christmastime and participated in the Valentines for Veterans campaign.

"We got to do a lot of art that we hung in the hallways, like when we made the kindness posters and the purple hearts for the military kids," fourth grader Aaliyah Farnum said.

This is the second consecutive year that a Copperas Cove ISD school has captured the MCEC worldwide award. Clements/Parsons Elementary was selected for the honor last year.