Six Georgia schools are being recognized for outreach programs geared toward providing a supportive environment for military students and families.
The Military Flagship School Award recognizes schools for going above and beyond to provide a supportive environment for military students and families, while recognizing and accommodate their unique needs– including support services and programs for students and their families, efforts to help military parents and their children feel engaged in their new schools, and readily accessible, up-to-date digital information provided for prospective families like updated school and district websites.
The inaugural Military Flagship Schools are:
* Columbus High School, Muscogee County Schools
* Crooked River Elementary School, Camden County Schools
* Hilltop Elementary School, Houston County Schools
* Lowndes High School, Lowndes County Schools
* Riverside Elementary School, Columbia County Schools
* Snelson-Golden Middle School, Liberty County Schools
State Rep. Dave Belton (R-Buckhead), Chairman of the Military Affairs Working Group in the Georgia House of Representatives, felt this was the “right thing to do.”
“The military provides $28 billion in economic impact to Georgia every year. The Pentagon has repeatedly told us that education is their number-one issue when looking at bases. That’s why I’m so excited about this Military Flagship program,” said Belton. “As a child of a Navy officer, we moved every two years. I know how stressful that can be, especially for a high school junior or senior. This emphasis on military children will go a long way toward making Georgia the most military-friendly state in the nation. But most of all, it’s the right thing to do for the men and women who sacrifice their lives for our freedoms.”
All schools were eligible to apply for the Military Flagship School Award, and applications were evaluated by a committee including active members of the military, School Liaison Officers, school district staff, and members of the Military Interstate Children’s Compact Commission.
“As the child of a military family myself, it means so much to me to recognize schools that are doing an exceptional job caring for Georgia’s military students and families,” State School Superintendent Richard Woods said. “Being part of a military family is a lifestyle full of transition and sacrifice. As educators and public officials, one way we can show our gratitude and respect for those who serve is providing a welcoming, supportive school environment for their families. I commend each one of these schools for their service on behalf of military families and children.”
Every selected school allows excused absences for a student during their parent’s overseas deployment departure or deployment arrival day, allows online or phone registration for incoming military members from overseas Department of Defense military bases, and has a military buddy system linking incoming military students with other military students during the first weeks of school.
