Florence, South Carolina – Florence 1 Schools has formally been named a Purple Star District by the South Carolina Department of Education (SCDE), an impressive recognition to its commitment to helping military-connected children and their families. This award emphasizes Florence 1’s dedication to help military families integrate into the school and community, ease their transfers, and offer stability among the particular difficulties they experience. Reflecting a great dedication to its children and their families, Florence 1 Schools joins a small group of just 14 districts in South Carolina to get this recognition.
Florence 1’s Purple Star District will officially be announced during a Veterans Day event on November 11 at Florence Veterans Park. The Wilson High School US Air Force JROTC will perform a Presentation of the Colors, further connecting the community’s appreciation for military service with this prestigious acknowledgment of the district’s support initiatives.
Veteran of the military himself, Assistant Superintendent Greg Hall highlighted the district’s delight in achieving this title and its major effects on the community as well as on children.
“Receiving the Purple Star Designation is a tremendous honor for Florence 1 Schools,” Hall said. “This recognition underscores our commitment to honoring and supporting the unique needs of our military-connected students and their families. We are dedicated to creating a welcoming and supportive environment, ensuring our schools are a source of stability, community, and opportunity for those who sacrifice so much for our country. This achievement reflects the hard work and dedication of our staff to make Florence 1 Schools a place where every student, especially those from military families, feels valued and supported.”
Board Member EJ McIver reiterated this attitude emphasizing that the district’s goal is to provide a consistent and encouraging atmosphere for every student, regardless of duration of stay.
“Military families have unique needs and I think it is important for us to provide all the resources and support our students need while their family members are serving,” McIver said.
“No matter how long or short their time is in our district, we are here to support them. As a board member, I am proud that the South Carolina Department of Education has named Florence 1 a Purple Star District,” McIver added.
Earning the Purple Star distinction means that school systems have to satisfy particular criteria established by the SCDE, including thorough military child education coalition training. This training helps district staff members to better grasp the specific difficulties experienced by military families, so ensuring that the materials given are relevant, thorough, and fit for the needs of students whose families could be undergoing regular relocation.
The designation also calls for the execution of continuous initiatives covering the multifarious needs of military families, from social and emotional support to academic assistance. Having encountered the many practical and emotional difficulties of moving with her family, Heather Bormann, Florence 1’s Purple Star District Liaison and a military spouse, offers direct knowledge to her job.
“As a parent, enrolling my kids in school was always the top priority when we moved to my husband’s new duty station but there are also a lot of other resources that you have to find when you move to a new community, like doctors, churches, or sports,” Bormann said.
“I am thrilled to be able to help all of our families find the resources and support they need for their children to thrive, even in a new environment. I am thankful that we, as a district, are supporting the families of our military personnel and I am proud that we are being recognized as a Purple Star District.”
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Florence 1 has created a webpage specifically for military families to offer more help and easily accessible basic information. The page provides key links to important community services, critical information on new student registration, and extracurricular activity possibilities.
Families can also locate contact details for Bormann and school-specific liaisons, therefore guaranteeing that military-connected youngsters get tailored help through their academic path.
The Purple Star classification for Florence 1 Schools is more than just a title; it’s a dedication to the families that give their lives and serve. This recognition represents the district’s goal to provide military children with a solid, friendly basis so they may thrive both personally and academically through times of transition.
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For Florence 1, the Veterans Day celebration promises to be an uplifting event as the district proudly ranks among the Purple Star districts of South Carolina, therefore offering a lighthouse of support and community for those who serve.
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