On April 15, Summit Road STEM Elementary was notified that it had earned the Purple Star designation.
Stephen D. Dackin, Director of the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce, stated in a letter to the District:
“Ohio’s military-connected youth require supports that consider their unique wellness and academic needs, especially while navigating school transitions. The Purple Star award signifies your school’s demonstrated commitment to serving these students and families.”
To qualify, the school had to provide evidence that it had completed a number of required activities. This included tasks like appointing a staff point person for military students/families, completing specialized training and educating teachers on how to best serve this population.
At the school, Amy Gochenour came up with the initial idea to spearhead a committee. She had seen French Run Elementary’s designation last school year and took the initiative to learn more about it. She said, "I learned that our students may be facing battles that we didn't know about, and as a part of a military family myself, that hit close to my heart.” For example, she mentioned a student telling her that their dad is coming home after being deployed for about a year.
“Conversations like this don't just happen, you have to create a space for them to occur. We do a great job at Summit Elementary at being inclusive, and this is just another way we do that."
Ms. Gochenour leads five other members of the school’s Military Committee: Rhonda Eberst, Amy Whitt, Betsy Fox, Kathy Petroski and Joey Slaughter. Together, they work to help transition students who are experiencing a family member who is deployed or a veteran.
This school year, a Veterans Day celebration was held where veterans from the school community were invited to an all-school assembly to be recognized. This is not the only way Summit Road STEM Elementary includes military-centered activities in their programming. A museum of military items was created with the help of students, students completed a research project on STEM military careers, a patriotic music program took place and more.
Congratulations for earning the designation and thank you for being committed to best serving our students! #REYNProud