Fleming Island Elementary designated a Purple Star school

Last month, Governor Ron DeSantis announced that 114 schools in 10 counties across the state will be designated as Florida’s first class of Purple Star campuses in recognition of their support for the children of military families.

Fleming Island Elementary School was the only Clay County campus that made the list. DeSantis made the announcement while visiting Fort Walton Beach High School in Okaloosa County, which has the highest percentage of military child enrollment of any school district in the state.

“Purple Star schools have the tools and knowledgeable faculty needed to help children of military families succeed regardless of the obstacles they face,” said DeSantis. “We also recognize that no one can better relate to these children than those who have served, which is why we are encouraging our veterans to teach at these schools and across the state.”

Purple Star campuses must meet certain requirements designed to support military children and their families’ unique needs as they transition into a new school and navigate a new community. Those requirements include the following:

Designating a faculty member as the military liaison to directly support families;

Updating the school website with resources for military students and families;

Offering a student-led transition program to assist military students in acclimating into a school;

Expanding staff professional development training opportunities on issues relating to military students; and

Reserving controlled, open enrollment seats for military-connected students to utilize to ensure school choice opportunities are available to them, regardless of the time of year their military transfer takes place.

The Purple Star teacher leadership program builds on legislation signed earlier this year to allow veterans with four years of military experience and an associate’s degree to obtain a 5-year temporary teaching certificate while they work towards earning a bachelor’s degree.