El Paso school districts recognized by Texas Education Agency for military-connected award
The Texas Education Agency has recognized over 50 El Paso schools for offering high-quality service to its military-connected students.
A total of 52 schools from the Anthony Independent School District, Canutillo ISD, El Paso ISD, El Paso Leadership Academy, Harmony Public Schools-West, San Elizario ISD, and Socorro ISD were given the Purple Star Designation.
The award is given to Texas schools that provide high-quality service to those students who are military connected and their families, a TEA news release said.
"I am extremely proud of the work these schools are doing to meet the needs of students and families that have sacrificed an incredible amount in service to our country," Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath stated in the news release. "We recognize the challenges military-connected students often face when transitioning schools. However, these campuses are committed to maximizing the availability of high-quality supports to make that transition easier and to help set these students up for success."
Socorro ISD had the most recognized schools out of the other districts, with a total of 39 schools.
"We have an administrative team embrace the philosophy of going the extra mile to serve the families that are serving our country," said Carman Olivas Graham, SISD's director in administrative services and designated liaison. "We have put in practice different things that welcome the children and welcome the parents to our district. So we have a lot of what the Purple Star Designation is looking for has been in place in Socorro for some time."
She added the district has a military advisory group, military families meet regularly, and staff is understanding of the barriers military students may face.
To be eligible for the recognition, schools must have a campus-based military liaison, create and maintain a webpage that includes information for military-connected students and families, implement a campus transition program for the students and support a military family assistance initiative, the news release stated.
Region 19 Purple Star recognized schools
Anthony ISD
Anthony Middle School
Anthony Elementary School
Canutillo ISD
Bill Childress Elementary School
Congressman Silvestre & Carolina Reyes School
EPISD
Chapin High School
El Paso Leadership Academy
El Paso Leadership Academy - High School East
El Paso Leadership Academy - Middle School East
Harmony Public Schools - West
Harmony School of Innovation
Harmony Science Academy
San Elizario ISD
Alfonso Borrego Sr. Elementary School
San Elizario High School
Josefa L. Sambrano Elementary School
Lorenzo Loya Primary School
Socorro ISD
Col. John O. Ensor Middle School
James P. Butler Elementary School
Montwood High School
Socorro High School
Mission Ridge Elementary School
Myrtle Cooper Elementary School
Mission Early College High School
Dr. Sue A. Shook Elementary School
Cactus Trails Elementary School
Bill Sybert School
Benito Martinez Elementary School
Sgt. Jose F. Carrasco Elementary School
Spec Rafael Hernando Middle School
Pebble Hills High School
John Drugan School
H.D. Hilley Elementary School
William D. Slider Middle School
Campestre Elementary School
Sierra Vista Elementary School
Vista Del Sol Elementary School
Americas High School
Salvador Sanchez Middle School
Sgt. Roberto Ituarte Elementary School
Sun Ridge Middle School
Socorro Middle School
O'Shea Keleher Elementary School
Escontrias Elementary School
SSgt. Manuel R. Puentes Middle School
Elfida Chavez Elementary School
Chester E. Jordan Elementary School
Purple Heart Elementary School
Helen Ball Elementary School
Hurshel Antwine Middle School
Ernesto Serna School
Montwood Middle School
Paso Del Norte Elementary School
El Dorado High School
Lujan-Chavez Elementary School
Escontrias Early Childhood Center
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: TEA recognizes over 50 El Paso schools with Purple Star Designation
