On October 26, the Virginia Department of Education awarded all four Fredericksburg City Public Schools and all 33 Stafford County Public Schools with Purple Star recognition. This exemplary designation signifies each school division’s dedication to military-connected students and their families. Stafford and Fredericksburg now join Chesapeake Public Schools, Poquoson Public Schools, and York Public Schools as the only five school divisions in Virginia recognized for their division-wide support of military families.
“I am so proud of what this means to our families, the surrounding military communities, and of our partnership with the Marine Corps Base Quantico School Liaison Program,” said Dr. Thomas W. Taylor, Stafford Schools Superintendent. “This is truly a team effort that provides critical support to our military-connected students. We won’t stop here – we endeavor to provide the highest level of service to the families who serve this great nation. Our support is ongoing, and a commitment we are proud to honor.”
Fredericksburg City Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Marci Catlett noted, “We are committed to military families in our area and helping every student excel regardless of their unique circumstances. We will collaboratively continue to support our military-connected students and families in our region with purpose and care. It will take us all working together.”
The Purple Star Designation Award recognizes both school divisions for their unwavering commitment to providing nurturing and inclusive environments for the children of service members who face unique challenges due to frequent relocations and the demands of military life. Both were also noted for “fantastic work supporting military connected students and fostering a culture of connectedness” by the Virginia Department of Education.
“I am very proud of the positive partnerships Marine Corps Base Quantico has with both Stafford County and Fredericksburg City Public Schools,” said Col. Michael Brooks, Commanding Officer, Marine Corps Base Quantico. “Their achievement of obtaining division-wide Purple Star recognition doesn’t happen by itself. From the Base’s School Liaisons playing such an instrumental role in facilitating this achievement, to the county’s and city’s school superintendents and administrative staff, their commitment and dedication toward accomplishing this goal guarantees our families and military-connected children receive the very best support – focused on the unique needs that come with our children relocating with their parents’ change of station orders every two to three years.”
Divisions considered for this award have demonstrated:
1. Specialized Support Programs to ensure all military-connected children have opportunities to thrive academically and personally.
2. Community Engagement that fosters a sense of belonging among military families.
3. Demonstrated commitment to professional development and training for staff in understanding the unique challenges military children face.
4. Flexible School Policies that accommodate the unpredictable nature of military life.
5. Proven partnerships with local organizations and support services to support military families.
To earn Purple Star recognition, a school must also have a primary point of contact who completes training on the Interstate Compact and Supporting Military Connected Students in School Settings, applies on behalf of the school for designation, and conducts school-wide training covering the unique needs of military learners and supports available for them. The school must maintain a student-led transition program to include a student transition team coordinator to provide peer support for newly enrolled and withdrawing students. The school’s website must link to a division-wide page dedicated to military student and family support or maintain a special military families section that includes information for families arriving to the school, the enrollment and registration process, departing from the school, defines academic and advanced academic programs, lists graduation requirements, posts the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunities for Military Children, provides information on Special Education services and parental rights to include parental consent, and lists other matters of importance for military families.
Purple Star Designation is valid for three years. Schools must demonstrate an ongoing commitment to the military community and reapply for designation. State awards will be received by both school divisions in November. According to the Virginia Department of Education’s Military Student and Families Specialist, Daniel Dunham, Virginia has one, if not the largest, number of military connected students enrolled in its public schools in the United States.
For more information about military support and resources available at Stafford County Public Schools, visit the Military Family Resources section of the Stafford Schools Website. For more information about Fredericksburg City Public Schools military supports, please visit Military Family Resources – Fredericksburg City Schools (fxbgschools.us).
