MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Efforts to support military families within Monongalia County Schools have been recognized by the State Department of Education.
West Virginia Civilian Aide for the United States Secretary of the Army Frank Vitale was on hand to recognize the school system with a Purple Star Award designation for their efforts to accommodate military families who have students attending county elementary, middle, and high schools. Vitale recognized over a dozen individual efforts that were taken by teachers and staff over the past several years to accommodate military families, which prompted the Purple Star Award designation.
“I’m very proud to say that you have always stood firm and strong with the military and with military children,” said Vitale. “So let me be the first to congratulate you on your Purple Star designation as a school district.”
The recognition of the Monongalia County School System stems from a combination of teachers and administrators who offer emotional, educational, and, in some cases, recreational services for students whose parents are deployed protecting our country overseas. This includes extra tutoring sessions, counseling sessions for students, and even transportation services in the event that they are unable to attend certain school activities because of work schedules. Vitale added that the work to help assimilate military families who move to different places in two-year periods, the work to have families feel welcomed into the Monongalia County school community, has also been appreciated.
“Not only do those children face challenges with deployments and reintegration, but as many as you know, particularly if you have taught a child whose parent has been deployed, they have to go through major family changes and needs at home,” said Vitale.
In the presentation to the BOE, Vitale recognized 16 Monongalia County School System administrators and teachers who each found ways to offer services and additional help to Monongalia County students born in military families. This was separate from individual awards of exclusive coins given by the Secretary of the Army to Monongalia County School Superintendent Eddie Campbell and Public Relations Coordinator Amber Nichols, whose husband is currently an active member of the U.S. military. With the efforts taken by the entire Monongalia County Schools community, Vitale feels the Purple Star Award Designation is well-deserved.
“Who is going to cut the grass, who is going to take care of maintenance, and who is going to make sure they get to practice on time? And oh, by the way, why isn’t Dad or Mom in the stands? It’s because they’re deployed,” said Vitale, describing some of the struggles experienced by children in military families. ”
And so it takes a village, as you all know, and you’re so good at doing that.”
For the Monongalia County Board of Education, the recognition of being a Purple Star Award designated school is considered a major honor and is reflective of years of work and support within both the school system and the community. This includes financial support from Vitale as the owner of Forge Business Solutions, who also contributes feedback as not only an assistant wrestling coach for University High School but who has also served in the military for over 20 years. With children of military backgrounds from grades K-12 taking part in Monongalia County School System activities, the BOE is more than happy to support those who are fighting overseas to protect the United States.
“Sincerely, we want to thank everybody for doing this, it really shows how Mon County steps up to the plate when the challenge is laid out there,” said Monongalia County Board of Education President Mike Kelly.
The Purple Star Award designation is determined by the Military Child Education Coalition.