In a recent government meeting, Mounds campus proudly announced its designation as a Purple Star campus, a recognition aimed at supporting military-connected students and their families. This announcement, made by Lindsay Muse, coincided with Veterans Day, highlighting the significance of the honor.

Mounds serves a substantial population of military-connected students, comprising 41% of its total enrollment, with 159 students identified. The journey to achieving the Purple Star designation began last spring when a military family relocated to the area, prompting staff to explore ways to better support such families. Muse credited her colleague, Miss Busch, for spearheading the application process, which involved meeting several rigorous requirements.

Key components of the designation include appointing a military liaison, maintaining a dedicated section on the school website for military families, and implementing a campus transition program. The transition program includes campus tours for new military families and social-emotional support for students, ensuring they feel welcomed and integrated into the school community.

Additionally, the campus is required to participate in events that honor military families, such as Military Family Month in November and Military Child Month in April. Evidence of these activities must be documented and submitted to the Texas Education Agency (TEA) as part of the application process.

The meeting underscored the commitment of Mounds to foster an inclusive environment for military families, with plans for ongoing professional development for staff to better understand and support the unique challenges faced by these students. The designation not only recognizes the efforts made but also sets a framework for continued support and engagement with military families in the community.