The Ohio Department of Education announced that St. Albert the Great School is among the schools to have its Purple Star designation renewed for 2021-2024.
The Purple Star Award indicates the school is military friendly and shows a major commitment to students and families that are connected to the United States military. St. Albert first received the award in 2017.
This designation is earned by schools that demonstrate support of active duty, reserve and veteran military members and their families.
Here are some of the activities undertaken by the St. Albert the Great community to support members of the military and their families:
The parish partners with Wally Ohler, head of the Ohio Veterans Relief Organization. They collect funds and supplies to send Boxes of Cheer to troops deployed around the world and in the community and to provide assistance to veterans.
In addition, thousands of rosaries, made by the parish rosary makers, have been sent to deployed troops.
The parish Quilt of Valor ministry presents patriotic quilts to service members during a Mass honoring the military heroes.
The sixth grade hosts a Military Salute near Veterans Day, during which students honor service members whom they have interviewed and about whom they’ve written a narrative.
During April, the Month of the Military Child, military-connected students are honored and recognized through a PurpleUP! dress-down day.
Principal Ed Vittardi said, “We are extremely proud to be again recognized as a Purple Star school! To be recognized specifically by the State Superintendent of Schools is truly humbling. Our efforts to support military families of our school community are small in comparison to the extreme sacrifice(s) that the military members and their families have made and continue to make for our freedom. It is our hope and prayer that the military and their families feel our deep heartfelt appreciation!”