St. Albert the Great Elementary School is one of 44 schools in the State of Ohio, and two in Cuyahoga County, to receive the Purple Star Award from the Ohio Department of Education.
The Purple Star Award is given to military-friendly schools that show a major commitment to students and families connected to our nation’s military. “A supportive school environment can have a significant impact on our military-connected students, and we’re happy to see such a great interest in the designation by Ohio’s schools.” Those comments are from the State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Paolo DeMaria, in a prepared statement.
You may not realize it but Ohio has the sixth largest veteran population in the United States, with almost 900,000 veterans and current active duty military personnel living in the Buckeye State.
St. Albert the Great School Principal, Ed Vittardi, is thrilled to receive the award.
“We are humbled and honored in great part because we just feel this is the right thing to do. As a Catholic school in a nation formed under God, it is imperative to me that we value those that have made our rights and freedoms possible today and tomorrow. We owe these individuals and their families the most significant and heartfelt appreciation. I think we are seeing that military students and families have different needs, specific needs than other students.”
Vittardi said receiving the Purple Star award would not have been possible without the incredible efforts and dedication of teacher Barb Barbo.
“This is truly personal to Barb having personal experience of having a child in the military. Her year-long dedication to our program(s) of appreciation of our veterans and all the related efforts is a blessing not only to the veterans and their families but also to our students and their families.”
Actually, Barbo has two children that have served in the military. One daughter, Sarah Barbo-Nielsen, is an Army Veteran having served in Iraq. Her other daughter Allison is a JAG Officer serving in the Air Force.
“I’m very excited that St. Albert has received the Purple Star Award because it recognizes military families and those who serve our country,” said Barbo. “It also increases awareness.”
The award comes at an important time of year. Barbo said, “April is the month when military children are honored and applauded for the sacrifices they make and the challenges they have to overcome.”
Barbo said that St. Albert the Great School is looking at some ways to celebrate receiving the Purple Star Award, although nothing has been finalized. “I’m hoping we will receive a banner or a flag to show off so everyone can see.”
Barbo also thanked Wally Ohler, veteran’s liaison for the city of North Royalton, for helping St. Albert the Great School receive the award. “We used to collect canned goods for military families. Nowadays, the need is for candy, gum, cookies, phone cards and collecting money for shipping these items.” Wally has often talked about his ‘Angels from St. Albert’.
When you see purple, think about the great sacrifices military families and their children make when their loved one is on active duty. Plus, the work done by St. Albert the Great, Barb Bardo and Wally Ohler.
By JOE JASTRZEMSKI
Contributing Writer