Henry D. Ward Elementary School has been recognized with 2024 “Purple Star” status for its commitment to meeting the needs of military-connected students and their families. Ward was the only Richmond-area school recognized this year and Henrico County Public Schools’ first honoree since the program’s 2018 launch. The Virginia Department of Education and the Virginia Council on the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children recognized 190 schools across the commonwealth for 2024.
“We work hard to create a sense of belonging for all our students but wanted to make sure that we are giving extra attention to students from military families, because of their unique social and emotional needs,” said Tiffany Chatman-Smith, principal.
Families with military ties are often required to move frequently, and acclimating to new schools and communities and making new friends can be difficult. The Purple Star honor requires that schools meet standards to address these challenges.
Ward has held schoolwide professional development sessions, making sure staff members understand the needs of military-connected families and the resources available to support them.
The school also launched “Colts Companions,” a club for students with relatives who serve in the military or are veterans. The club works to help integrate students from military families into the school community and focuses on building character and social skills.
In the spring, the school created a hub on its website to assist and welcome families and students with military connections. The “Military-Connected Colts” page includes information for military families arriving at or departing Ward; helpful state and U.S. military resources; and information for military families seeking special education services. See the page at https://ward.henricoschools.us/o/ward/page/military-connected-colts.
“We’re very excited about receiving this recognition and even more excited to expand our support of military-connected families,” Chatman-Smith said. “Our next initiative will be focused on parents and guardians. We’re working to create a parent-led group to connect military families, so they also feel supported and connected to their child’s school and the larger community.”
Ward, located in Henrico County’s Varina area, is among the closest HCPS schools to the U.S. Army’s Fort Gregg-Adams. According to the Defense Studies Institute, a matchmaker between private industry jobs and the U.S. military, the installation supports a workforce of about 80,000, including active-duty military personnel, civil service and civilian staff members, and government contractors.
The designation, presented during Military Family Appreciation Month, is awarded for a three-year period, after which schools can reapply for Purple Star status. Virginia was the second state to establish the Purple Star school recognition program, which has been adopted by 43 states. Learn more at https://militarychild.org/programs-and-initiatives/purple-star-schools/.