State School Superintendent Richard Woods recently visited Snelson-Golden Middle School to present them with the Military Flagship School banner. Snelson-Golden was one of six schools in the state to be recognized as a Military Flagship School. This award recognizes schools going above and beyond to provide a supportive environment for military students and families. They provide specific outreach to military families and recognize and accommodate their unique needs.
Mr. Roland Vanhorn, Principal said, “The faculty, staff and administration at Snelson-Golden are excited to be included in the inaugural group of six Georgia schools recognized as Military Flagship Schools. We understand the unique sacrifice military families face and we are proud to offer the extra supports necessary to meet the unique needs of our military families.”
At Snelson-Golden, a Military and Family Life Counselor (MFLC) offers individual and group counseling to military children and their families. The MFLC is present at parent engagement events and interacts with children throughout the day to offer encouragement. Several days a week, a lunch group is hosted for military students, and the school has a Student Ambassador program that connects new students with another student who has the same schedule. Because active duty parents are often unable to attend parent and family events, the school uses Skype to allow them to participate.
“Military students and families are an integral part of our school district,” said Dr. Franklin Perry, Superintendent of Liberty County Schools. “LCSS will continue to care for all children. The mission of our district is to provide all students an education, which promotes excellence, good citizenship, and a love of learning. Congratulations to Snelson-Golden on this outstanding recognition.”
State School Superintendent Richard Woods said, “As the child of a military family myself, it means so much to me to recognize schools that are doing an exceptional job caring for Georgia’s military students and families.”
GaDOE plans to make the Military Flagship School Award an annual recognition, with a new cohort of schools honored each year