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Bossier Schools adds Plain Dealing, Haughton High as Purple Star schools; district underscores military-student supports
Summary
Bossier Parish Schools recognized two more Purple Star schools — Plain Dealing High School and Haughton High School — and highlighted district programs supporting military-connected students and a t-shirt fundraiser for April, Military Child Month.
Bossier Parish Schools on Jan. 16 announced that Plain Dealing High School and Haughton High School have been designated Purple Star schools by the state, bringing the district’s total to 27 schools with that designation.
Holly George, supervisor of special programs and military services manager for Bossier Parish Schools, said Purple Star status recognizes schools that meet a set of criteria to support military-connected students and families. "The state of Louisiana said, we now will honor the distinction of Purple Star School with this list of certain criteria to help our military families," George said.
Plain Dealing’s program was described as a K–12 approach that opened a military club and invites students with military ties or those planning to enter a military branch. Jason Edwards, identified as Plain Dealing’s leader, said, "We certainly worked hard to become a purple star school" and praised sponsors and staff who helped start the program.
Haughton High School principal David Haney described plans at Haughton to present a challenge coin and dedicate a wall showing where military-connected students come from. "We have a phenomenal military connected group out at Houghton High School," Haney said, noting the school’s recent initiatives including a custom challenge coin and a dedication wall.
Sonya Bell, public relations liaison, told the board that more than 13 percent of the district’s enrollment is military connected and that Bossier Schools now has the most Purple Star schools in the state. Lisa Johnson, president of the Bossier Chamber of Commerce, outlined an annual t-shirt design contest for Military Child Month in April: three student winners’ designs will be produced, orders will be open through April 15, and $3 from each shirt sold will go back to the student’s school to support military clubs.
The board recognized Plain Dealing as the district’s 26th Purple Star school and Haughton as the 27th. Officials said the designations reflect school and community efforts to support military families through clubs, resources and outreach.
