CARSON CITY, Nev. – As the Month of the Military Child came to a close last week, the Nevada Department of Education (NDE or Department) presented two schools with the Purple Star School Award. Robert O. Gibson Leadership Academy and Ernest A. Becker, Sr. Middle School in the Clark County School District have the honor of being the first-ever designated Purple Star Schools in Nevada. Both schools have shown a commitment to understanding and addressing the unique needs of military-connected students.
“The Nevada Department of Education is thrilled to be designating our first-ever Purple Star Schools,” said Jhone Ebert, Superintendent of Public Instruction. “Our military servicemembers and their families contribute to our communities in so many ways, and we look forward to identifying additional schools that excel in providing them with the support they need and deserve.”

“Military children may move as many as nine times during their school-aged years,” said Felicia Gonzales, Deputy Superintendent for Educator Effectiveness and Family Engagement and State Commissioner, Military Interstate Children's Compact Commission (MIC3). “I’m proud that Nevada is taking this step to recognize the important role military children play in our communities and I was honored to present Purple Star School awards to these two deserving schools.”

“Achieving a Purple Star School designation lets our military families know they will receive much-needed assistance as they transition to a new home and school district,” said Major General Ondra L. Berry, Nevada Adjutant General. “Schools that take this step toward a Purple Star designation show they care for our military members and their families. I'm excited to see the first two schools in Nevada taking this step."

The Nevada Purple Star School Award is a designation provided to military-friendly schools that display a major commitment to serving military-connected students and families. The Purple Star certification lets military-connected families know that a school is dedicated to helping their child gain the educational skills necessary to graduate with the tools they need to build a home, a life, and a future. The certification signals a school supports the social and emotional wellbeing of military kids adjusting to new school settings as well as the absence of a parent during deployment. Becker Middle School and Gibson Leadership Academy will also be featured on the Department’s Purple Star School webpage.

For more information on the Purple Star School Award Program please reach out to KellyLynn Charles at: kcharles@doe.nv.gov (702-668-4330) or Martha Warachowski at: mwarachowski@doe.nv.gov (702-668-4318)

Becker Group Photo:
Left to right: Assistant Principal Cheri DeVaul, Becker Middle School (Becker); KellyLynn Charles, Education Programs Professional, NDE; Assistant Principal Rebecca Peplinski, Becker; Principal Amy Herring Smith, Becker; Deputy Superintendent Felicia Gonzales, NDE; Martha Warachowski, Administrative Assistant, NDE; Assistant Principal Daniel Liles, Becker

Becker Certificate Presentation Cutline:
Principal Amy Herring Smith is presented with Becker Middle School’s Purple Star School certificate by Felicia Gonzales, Deputy Superintendent for Educator Effectiveness and Family Engagement and State Commissioner, Military Interstate Children's Compact Commission.

Gibson Group Photo:
Left to right: Tiffany Grant, Student Success Coordinator, Gibson Leadership Academy (Gibson); Martha Warachowski, Administrative Assistant, NDE; Deputy Superintendent Felicia Gonzales, NDE; Assistant Principal Christopher Grant, Gibson; Principal Jennifer Jaeger, Gibson; Cheryl Ewalt, Special Education Instructional Facilitator, Gibson; Assistant Principal Dana Perry, Gibson; KellyLynn Charles, Education Programs Professional, NDE; Assistant Principal Silvia Mendoza-Stout, Gibson

Gibson Certificate Presentation Cutline:
Principal Jennifer Jaeger is presented with Gibson Leadership Academy’s Purple Star School certificate by Felicia Gonzales, Deputy Superintendent for Educator Effectiveness and Family Engagement and State Commissioner, Military Interstate Children's Compact Commission.