A special ceremony was held at Waldo Pafford Elementary School on Feb. 5 as the school received their recognition banner after being selected as a Military Flagship School Jan. 6.
“It's my goal that Georgia will have the most military-friendly schools in the nation, addressing and accommodating the needs of the military families who make sacrifices on our behalf," State School Superintendent Richard Woods said after making their selections in January. “As someone who grew up in a military family myself, it is a joy to honor these seven schools for going above and beyond to serve and support military children."
During the ceremony held at the school, Fort Stewart and Hunter Army Airfield Garrison Commander Col. Bryan Logan said being selected is a top honor.
“This is a state produced program…military flagship for the state of Georgia,” Logan said. “It is part of the Military Interstate Children’s Compact Coalition 3(MICCC3). Schools apply and the MICCC3 Board determines who the winner will be and that is based on activities, support programs as well as opportunities for military specific children. It is an amazing achievement, and this is the second time that Liberty County was able to achieve this.”
Logan added only seven schools throughout the state are selected.
According to the Liberty County School System, 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. Waldo Pafford 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.
Logan said providing specialized support for military students is vital to their educational development.
“My personal example, I have a son who is graduating from Bradwell Institute this year,” Logan said. “He is 17 and he’s moved nine times. So, this is his third high school. If it weren’t for the support at Bradwell and the Liberty County community, it would be pretty rough. But he is doing really well. He is excited about college and graduation.”
Logan said having designated Military Flagship schools in a community is beneficial to serve the needs of military children.
“One of the things that concerns military families during a permanent change of station, or a move is where their children will attend school,” Logan said. “Knowing that this is a flagship school and not only one but two in Liberty County it takes a lot of the burden off the families to know that their children will be taken care of.”
Last year Snelson-Golden Middle School was among the seven schools selected.
Waldo Pafford Elementary School Principal said being selected was thrilling.
“I hollered and I was excited,” she said. “It was that big of deal…It was that serious to us. To know we are one of seven schools making an impact and a difference in the lives of military family. We are elated that we were able to receive the military flagship Award. It is an effortless task to provide services to our military families as well as to our community at large. We have ambassadors here at our school welcoming military students when they arrive, so they make an immediate connection. We want every student here to feel that they belong to something.”
This year's Military Flagship Schools are:
•Chattahoochee County Middle/High School (Chattahoochee County Schools)
•Freedom Park Elementary School (Richmond County Schools)
•Grayson High School (Gwinnett County Schools)
•Pine Grove Middle School (Lowndes County Schools)
•St. Marys Elementary School (Camden County Schools)
•Waldo Pafford Elementary School (Liberty County Schools)
•Warner Robins High School (Houston County Schools)