(Hinesville, GA) – Waldo Pafford Elementary was recently selected by the Georgia Department of Education as one of seven schools in the state to be named Military Flagship Schools. The Military Flagship School Award recognizes schools going above and beyond to provide a supportive environment for military students and their families. Military Flagship Schools provide specific outreach to military families and recognize and accommodate their unique needs. Waldo Pafford Elementary School provides multiple outreach programs specifically targeted to military families and children, including deployment and transition groups and recognitions such as the Month of the Military Child and Month of the Military Family. The school-based Military and Family Life Counselor (MFLC) provides professional learning to help school personnel understand and support the needs of military-connected children. The school works to provide high-quality opportunities to all students, including afterschool enrichment, a mentor/mentee program, a comprehensive school counseling program, National Junior Honor Society, and National Junior Beta Club. There are multiple opportunities for meaningful parent engagement, including parent roundtable discussions and military parent luncheons. “As principal of Waldo Pafford,” stated Ms. Valarie Lawson, “we are extremely proud of this accomplishment. We are happy to be able to provide the services that we have to our military students and their families.” Waldo Pafford will receive a special visit (as COVID-19 protocols and guidelines allow) from Georgia State School Superintendent, Richard Woods, along with other officials and will receive a banner to display in their school advertising their status as a Military Flagship School.