COPPERAS COVE, Texas — Copperas Cove Independent School District has earned a unique designation, one of only 13 districts in the state of Texas to do so.
Copperas Cove ISD is now officially a 100% Purple Star district, meaning every campus in the district has been named a Purple Star Designated Campus in honor of their commitment to the unique needs of military students and families.
Governor Greg Abbott and the Texas Education Agency announced on Sept. 19 that 10 campuses in Copperas Cove ISD received the designation, including S.C. Lee Jr. High School, which earned its designation for the first time to round out the district.
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 reportedly earned renewed designations, which last for two years, while Crossroads High School was awarded its two-year designation last year.
“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 from military families.”
According to Copperas Cove ISD, 47% of its students are military-connected, with campuses like Hettie Halstead Elementary reaching up to 60%.
“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.”
The Purple Star Campus Designation program was launched by the 86th Texas Legislature through SB 1557 and took effect on April 9, 2020, according to the district. 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 must support a military family assistance initiative.
“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.”
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