General Stanford Elementary earns Purple Star 2nd Award recognition
Posted: October 29, 2024
General Stanford Elementary School was recognized with the 2024-2025 Purple Star 2nd Award from the Virginia Department of Education.
The Virginia Purple Star Designation is awarded to military-friendly schools that have demonstrated a major commitment to students and families connected to the U.S. military, according to the VDOE. General Stanford, which is located on the Army post Fort Eustis in northern Newport News, was a 2021-2022 Purple Star School.
"Receiving the Purple Star 2nd Award is an honor, and reflects our school's commitment to serving our students and families with unwavering dedication and care," said General Stanford Principal Jennifer Harnish, who is the daughter of an Army soldier and spent her entire childhood living on or around military bases including Fort Eustis.
The award status is valid for three school years. Recipient schools receive an award recognition resolution, a 2nd Award Purple Star challenge coin and a logo to display showcasing the honor. The coin is its nod to the military community that is known for the practice of bestowing unit coins to those who have contributed to the mission, according to VDOE officials.
"On behalf of your military-connected and newest students, please accept my sincerest appreciation to all involved in making your school a welcoming and supportive place, especially for our military-connected students," Dan Dunham, VDOE military student and families specialist, wrote in an email announcing the award.
General Stanford has a very active Parent Teacher Association and the school has numerous strong supports in place for the military community it is so closely connected with.
For example, in April the PTA collaborated with Fort Eustis officials to host a military recognition event that included students, families and staff. The Purple Up! Color Run acknowledged the post's service members and their children in honor and recognition of the Month of the Military Child.
General Stanford has an Anchored4Life Club, which supports new students as they transition to the school and promotes leadership and resiliency among club members. The club provides opportunities for peers to enhance social skills, learn leadership skills, build character, improve self-esteem and integrate into their community.
In August, school staff participated in the professional development session Understanding Military Children hosted by General Stanford's military family life counselors Alison Sigler and Julia Canestrari. Topics covered included fostering resilience in military-connected students, community building in the classroom and helping military children thrive during deployment.
"Our school's support for military-connected students is embedded in our daily operations," the award application said. "We make it a point to go above and beyond to serve our families and our students. We have a welcome table at the main entrance of our school with information for new families.
"Our mission, as publicized on our website, is to create a vibrant educational environment where military-connected children are encouraged to achieve greatness and meaningfully contribute to an ever-changing world, while becoming college, career and citizen-ready. We are honored to serve the children, and the families, of Fort Eustis, Virginia."
