Latest news with #PurpleStar
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Snowden Elementary earns Beaufort County's first Purple Star Award
BEAUFORT COUNTY, N.C. (WNCT) — S. W. Snowden Elementary School is the first school in Beaufort County to receive the Purple Star Award. On May 9, the 2025 Purple Star Award Ceremony was held at the North Carolina National Guard Joint Force Headquarters in Raleigh, N.C. There were 31 districts across North Carolina represented and 65 schools that were first time awardees. The Purple Star Award recognizes schools that show a major commitment to military connected students and families, as well as military-friendly practices. Schools that receive the Purple Star Award get a special Purple Star recognition to display at their school's location. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
04-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
School notes: FCPS student wins 'If I Were Mayor' contest
A student from Frederick County Public Schools was named a winner of the 2025 'If I Were Mayor' essay contest. Eliza Wood, a student at Middletown Elementary School, was recognized alongside 10 other students in the state by the Maryland Municipal League and Maryland first lady Dawn Flythe Moore. The 2025 essay contest theme was 'Building Community for a New Generation.' Students wrote the essays as if they were mayors of their cities or towns. Students wrote about concepts like 'building inclusive and safe communities' and 'making sure basic needs are met so residents can reach their full potential,' according to a press release. During the ceremony, Moore said to the students: 'There is not a single room you don't belong in.' 'You are the future of our state, and we cannot wait to see all that you achieve,' she said. The contest was sponsored by Maryland Municipal League and the Maryland Mayors Association. Oakdale Elementary to host STEM summer program Oakdale Elementary School is scheduled to host the Camp Invention enrichment program over the summer. The nonprofit STEM program for students in kindergarten through sixth grade is scheduled to be at Oakdale Elementary from June 23 to 26. The program is from the National Inventors Hall of Fame in partnership with the United States Patent and Trademark Office. Camp Invention features student activities that 'tap into their natural curiosity and use their creativity to solve problems,' according to a press release. This year's program called 'Discover' will feature hands-on activities, such as building a claw machine out of cardboard, assembling a custom control panel and building an animation device. Registration for this summer is available at West Frederick, Whittier earn Purple Stars West Frederick Middle School and Whittier Elementary School are the first two schools in Frederick County to receive the Maryland Purple Star School designation. The Maryland State Board of Education recognizes schools with this award for 'outstanding support of military-connected students and their families,' according to a United States Army press release. The schools also demonstrated a 'strong commitment to easing the educational and social-emotional transitions faced by children in military families,' according to the release. Schools had to meet four criteria to qualify for a Purple Star award: appointing a military liaison, creating online resources, implementing a peer-led transition program and providing staff training on military culture. Randi Gonzalez, a special education program assistant at Whittier Elementary, was named the military liaison for the elementary school. 'It's more than a symbol, it's a representation of our community's resilience and inclusivity,' Gonzalez said in the release. Frederick High alumni plaque The Frederick High School Alumni Association donated a cast bronze plaque to display outside the front door of the school. The plaque features the school's motto, 'Enter to Learn, Go Forth to Serve.' Thomas Sterner, the founder of Art Factory studio near Union Mills, was commissioned to create the plaque. The high school's alumni association was incorporated in 1944, according to association President Debbie Richmond. She wrote in a statement that the association has provided student scholarships as well as held spring and Christmas dances for decades. 'The plaque is donated with fond memories and hope for future generations,' Richmond wrote. Send school-related news to Esther Frances at efrances@
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Mutiple local schools receive Purple Star Award for supporting military families
DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) – Several local schools were honored with a Purple Star Award recognizing them for their support of military families. Ohio Department of Education and Workforce Director Stephen D. Dackin and Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine announced over 360 schools earned the award on Wednesday, April 16. Schools qualify by completing all the Purple Star Advisory Board required activities and a bonus activity. The school must have an on-staff Military Family Liaison who acts as a point of contact between military families and the school. As for bonus activities, the school can choose between multiple options. A military event that is separate from Veterans Day. A system to identify children who are in military families, but not necessarily because of military parents. (Children with siblings in service.) Host month of the Military Child activities in April. KinderCare offers free day of care for military families 'The Purple Star program is a wonderful way to showcase the many schools in Ohio that are going above and beyond to support their military communities,' said DeWine. 'Year after year, our Purple Star schools put in the time and effort to make sure military-connected students have the support they need to thrive.' Schools are able to renew their awards every three years. Currently there are over 700 active Purple Star schools in Ohio. 'These schools and their staff do incredible work connecting our state's military families with resources to help them be successful, both in school and in their service to our state and country,' said Dackin. 'I applaud their dedication to this important work.' Annual 5K Furry Skurry to benefit local pets in Miami Valley Miami Valley schools earning the designation: Archbishop Carroll High School – Archdiocese of Cincinnati Bellbrook High School – Bellbrook-Sugarcreek Schools Brantwood Elementary School – Mad River Local Schools Brookville Elementary School – Brookville Local Schools Brookville Intermediate School – Brookville Local Schools Centerville High School – Centerville City Schools Centerville Primary Village North – Centerville City Schools Charles Huber Elementary School – Huber Heights City Schools Dayton Regional STEM School – STEM School Fairmont High School – Kettering City Schools Five Points Elementary School – Springboro Community City Schools Hillel Academy of Greater Dayton Kinder Intermediate School – Miamisburg City Schools Miamisburg High School – Miamisburg City Schools Perry High School – Perry Local Schools To view the full list of Ohio schools that have earned the award, click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
NATIONAL FOOD GROUP & ZEE ZEES ALLEVIATE STUDENT MEAL DEBT FOR FAMILIES ACROSS THREE STATES
Over $100,000 in debt relief and product support awarded to schools in Illinois, Florida, and Utah through Grab The Tab grants. NOVI, Mich., April 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- National Food Group, a leading K-12 food distributor and the company behind Zee Zees® better-for-you snacks, has announced the latest recipients of its Grab The Tab grant program, providing critical student meal debt relief and product support to schools in Illinois, Florida, and Utah. Together, these grants total over $100,000 in debt relief to further support school meal programs. Schools receiving the grants include: School District U-46 – Elgin, IL – $51,384 Columbia Elementary (Jordan School District) – West Jordan, UT – $11,842 Newsome High, Randall Middle, and Tinker Elementary (Hillsborough County Public Schools) – Tampa, FL – $38,168 "We are incredibly grateful for this generous grant, which will allow us to eliminate the school lunch debt for many of our students," said Shani Hall, General Manager of HCPS Student Nutrition Services. "The selected schools from our district are Purple Star schools, dedicated to supporting our military families. These three schools have the highest number of military families in our district. We take pride in assisting our families who serve in the Armed Forces, ensuring that every child can concentrate on their education as we provide them with a supportive learning environment." "It is humbling to have someone from across the nation support our families," added Keith Klein, Principal at Columbia Elementary. "This money will fill a need and lift a burden off the shoulders of parents. At the end of the day, it's about helping kids." Even with federal support programs in place, many schools still find themselves struggling to keep meal programs fully funded. Shifts in USDA policy, fluctuating budgets, and rising food costs leave gaps that districts must navigate and often at the expense of students. Grab The Tab was created in 2023 to step in during moments like these, offering schools practical, meaningful support when they need it most. "This grant goes beyond dollars and cents—it's an investment in our students and our community," said Dr. Ann Williams, Deputy Superintendent of Operations at School District U-46. "By removing this financial burden, National Food Group is helping us direct more resources where they belong: to student success and well-being." "School foodservice is the heartbeat of our local communities - ensuring students are fueled and ready to learn," said Samantha Bourque, Director of Corporate Social Responsibility at National Food Group. "Helping to erase meal debt is just one way we can support schools and families across the country, and hopefully leave a lasting impact." Representatives from Zee Zees and National Food Group will visit each recipient school this spring to present grant awards and celebrate with school leaders, food service teams, and students. ABOUT GRAB THE TAB & PROJECT SERVE Grab The Tab is a key initiative of Project SERVE, National Food Group's corporate social responsibility platform. Through Project SERVE, the company pledges 5% of profits and employee time to improving food access, supporting foodservice career development, and advancing sustainability. For more information about Grab The Tab, visit: For more information about Project SERVE, visit: ABOUT NATIONAL FOOD GROUP Founded in 1990, National Food Group is one of the fastest-growing wholesale foodservice manufacturers and distributors in the U.S. Its family of brands includes Zee Zees®, Fare Promise®, Elated Plates®, and Ultra Fit®, serving K–12 schools, healthcare providers, correctional facilities, and more. With flexible procurement programs such as Always Available®, Opportunity Buys®, and Commodity Processing™, National Food Group helps institutions serve nutritious, budget-conscious meals. Learn more at Media Contact On behalf of Zee Zees & National Food Group:Nisha Bagepalli nisha@ Program Contact Samantha Bourque, Corporate Social Responsibility Director sbourque@ View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE National Food Group Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
16-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Dozen local school districts honored for supporting military students and families
(WKBN) – Over 360 schools in Ohio, including several in the Valley, have received a Purple Star designation this year. Crestview High School Leetonia Exempted Village School District: Leetonia Elementary and Jr./Sr. High School NEW: Austintown Fitch High School Canfield Local School District: C.H. Campbell Elementary, Hilltop Elementary, Canfield Village Middle School, Canfield High School Jackson-Milton Elementary School Sebring Local School District: B.L. Miller Elementary, McKinley Junior Senior High School West Branch High School NEW: Brookfield High School NEW: Howland High School Newton Falls Exempted Village Schools: Newton Falls Elementary (NEW), Middle (NEW) and Jr./Sr. High School Southington Elementary School Trumbull Career & Technical Center The honor is given to schools that demonstrate a significant commitment to serving students and families connected to the nation's armed forces. The designation is valid for three years. '[The Purple Star program is] another example of how Ohio is a leader in caring for our military families. Year after year, our Purple Star schools put in the time and effort to make sure military-connected students have the support they need to thrive,' said Ohio Governor Mike DeWine. To qualify, schools must designate a staff member to serve as a liaison to military families. Schools must also participate in at least one supportive activity each year. Some of these schools host monthly military kids club meetings, provide professional learning for educators on the needs of military students, implement peer-to-peer transition programs, or organize celebrations to honor military students and families. 'These schools and their staff do incredible work connecting our state's military families with resources to help them be successful, both in school and in their service to our state and country,' said Stephen D. Dackin, director of the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce. There are now 700 active Purple Star schools in the state. You can view the entire list of Purple Star schools on the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce's website. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
