Several Johnson County schools were designated Purple Star schools, an honor that distinguishes institutions who have showcased outstanding support for the nation’s military.
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Center Grove Middle School North received a Purple Star designation which commends the institution as a supporter of those who have served in the United States’ armed sources. Several Franklin Community Schools were also redesignated with the honor.
The Indiana Purple Star School Designation acknowledges schools that have displayed a significant commitment to service members, veterans, and students and families connected to the nation’s military, according to a press release from the Indiana Department of Education.
Each designation is valid for a three-year time period.
Davin Harpe, Center Grove Middle School North principal, said school leaders are proud of the Purple Star School award and what it represents.
“Our deep commitment to our community in White River Township is real and it is recognized by our stakeholders,” Harpe said. “One of the things that many people might not know about is that we have teachers go through training by PsychArmor on how to conduct collaborative and supportive parent-teacher conferences with our veterans and their families. That training includes a series on military culture, the top 15 things that veterans want educators to know and how to support military children who move schools when their parents are transferred to other states.”
PsychArmor is a nonprofit based out of San Diego, California that offers over 250 courses regarding military culture awareness and promotes engagement with the military community.
The school also has counselors that offer specialized groups tailored for the children of military families to assist them in processing changes such as when a parent gets deployed. It allows students to find commonalities and support each other as well, he said.
Students also write letters and send care packages to deployed service members. Harpe said that the biggest event that the middle school hosts is their annual Veteran’s day program.
“Our whole school is involved in it from our students to our custodians to our kitchen staff,” he said. “It is a really good program that we are really proud of.”
White River Township is a very patriotic community, Harpe said. He strives for the school to share the same values as the locals.
“We want to instill our students with a great sense of patriotism and make sure that we take time every year to recognize our veterans,” he said. “It is not about us; it is about our veterans.”
Several Franklin Community Schools also received the Purple Star School redesignation, a recognition that Franklin Schools Spokesperson Robin Betts said was an honor.
She credits the school’s proximity to military and Indiana National Guard bases as an enhancement that allows them to serve many families in the district.
Even the COVID-19 pandemic did not hinder their appreciation for veterans, Betts said.
“During COVID, when we could not invite guests inside the building, Custom Baker Intermediate School began a new tradition of a veteran parade where service members are invited to drive around Custer Baker while students and staff line the drive to wave and thank them for their service,” she said. “This event has become a favorite in the community”
Webb Elementary features active-duty military families with a monthly spotlight.
Needham Elementary also developed a flag-raising team that gathers every day to raise and lower the school’s flag. Recently, one of their flags has flown over the Camp Atterbury Garrison Headquarters and is now preserved in a showcase at the school, Betts said.
Below is a list of schools that have been redesignated as Purple Star schools:
- Center Grove Middle School Central
- Needham Elementary School
- Creekside Elementary School
- Custer Baker Intermediate School
- Franklin Community Middle School
- Northwood Elementary
- Union Elementary
Center Grove Middle School North is the only school in Johnson County to receive a new designation.
