HOLLOMAN AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. -- The Purple Star Award Designation was awarded to Holloman's public schools and Alamogordo High School on January 19, 2021.
The Purple Star Award for military-friendly school recognizes schools that show a major commitment to students and families connected to our nation's military.
Holloman Elementary has a strong partnership with their families, the installation School Liaison, LaurieAnn Goodier, and the community. Through programs such as Anchored4Life, Deployed Kids Club and an on-site Military Family Life Counselor, the principal and staff embrace and support the unique culture of being a military child.
"We acknowledge the importance of ensuring that all military students are successful in their education endeavors while their parents are assigned to Holloman AFB," said Jerrett Perry, Alamogordo Public School District Superintendent. "These schools support military student's social and emotional well-being as they transition to a new school in all aspects of military life."
Holloman Middle has an expanding partnership with the installation School Liaison and strives to find innovative ways to support their military students. With the academic support the staff provides, they also demonstrate support for military children with programs such as school embedded MFLC, Anchored4Life and mentorship opportunities.
"The most important thing for me is that the Purple Star Designation not only has schools say they support military life, but they do it," said Col. Ryan Keeney, 49th Wing Commander. "The programs that the administration and the staff here do to support military children show that the Purple Star Designation is more than just a name."
Alamogordo High School has a long standing partnership with HAFB. It offers programs such as JROTC and most recent Shockwave. From the principal to the teachers, many of the staff have a military connection, which helps when establishing relationships and supporting unique needs of military students.
"When our military families transition into communities, typically the top concerns are housing and schools," said LaurieAnn Goodier, 49th Wing School Liaison. "The designation of Purple Star Schools provides families with an instant indicator of military-friendly schools. The demonstration of support our schools provide for military students not only builds resilient families, but resilient communities."
The designation is for two years, and it allows the campus to carry the banner of Alamogordo Public Schools Purple Star on their campus and on it's website as a symbol exhibiting that they are military friendly campuses.