(Seguin) — The Navarro ISD’s commitment to serving military families is not going unnoticed.
The Navarro Independent School District (NISD) is proudly announcing that all four of its campuses have been awarded the esteemed Purple Star Designation by Governor Greg Abbott.
The Purple Star designation is a program established by the Texas Legislature through Senate Bill 1557, with the goal of highlighting schools that go above and beyond to meet the unique needs of these students.
Navarro ISD Superintendent Mandy Epley says this recognition acknowledges the district’s concerted effort of supporting military-connected students and their families. She says this latest designation only illustrates the Panther Family’s commitment to taking things a step further in making sure each family member feels supported.
“We want our kids to feel like they are welcome at our schools and they are immediately engaged with friends in a safe environment where they can learn and thrive and grow and so when we saw the opportunity there to really reach out to military families, we figured that we could do a little bit better than we had done in the past and so when we have a student who comes from a military family, we are much more aware of the fact that they may have moved multiple times in their young life and we know the stress that it may cause some of the anxiety about not knowing who am I going to sit with at lunch and what are the activities that I can be involved in at this new school? So, we worked hard to make sure that we identified a liaison at campuses that would be someone who could learn about that student and the family. Some of our folks are military related and so they were eager to offer this support to kids,” said Epley.
Navarro Elementary Principal Laurel Wilson says “collaboration with our military school liaison has been key to fostering a stronger connection between military families and schools. Ms. Amanda Lindsey works to ensure students receive resources, referrals, and peer support to ensure military students succeed and we are grateful for her dedication.”
Epley says not only did the district dedicate military liaisons who are full time advocates for military connected students, their families and staff on military related issues, but they also offer a web page specifically for military families. She says it’s a transition program that begins on that first day of being at a new school.
“Really, it’s that opportunity to connect a kid right away to someone who will show them around the building, help them understand where they might sit at lunch, get them connected with an afternoon activity and then celebrating those folks who serve our country. It’s such a great service for them to put their life on the line for us and so we, want to celebrate that. We were already doing that with a robust Veterans Day Program but now, we specifically look forward to our Purple Out Days where we raise awareness about military children and how we help maneuver with them through that challenge of moving and connecting and knowing that sometimes their parents are deployed or are away,” said Epley.
Epley says the fast growth of the district, of course, is keeping the district on its toes when it comes to the various needs of all students who enter the Panther family. Nonetheless, she says the district is ready.
“If fluctuates each year because of our growth. We are adding approximately 250 kids a year so it’s just depends on how they move in and choosing to be here but being so close to different bases – San Antonio being Military City USA, we do anticipate seeing increased numbers and that’s why we really wanted to make sure that our campuses were prepared to meet the unique needs of these students,” said Epley.
Epley says it’s always an honor to assist children of military families with opportunities to excel in their education. She says in the end, its these families who every day make “tremendous sacrifices for our nation.”
Governor Greg Abbott’s announcement this year highlighted a significant increase in Purple Star designations, reflecting the growing awareness of the unique challenges faced by military-connected students.