May 19, 2023
For the third year in a row, Cumberland County Schools (CCS) has earned the N.C. Purple Star Award Designation, affirming the district’s support of military students and their families.
In order to receive the Purple Star Award, all schools in the district submitted documentation to the state. The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction's (NCDPI) 2022-2023 Purple Star Award Designation is awarded to schools and districts that “demonstrate military-friendly practices and a commitment to military students and families.” One-hundred percent of the schools in the district earned the coveted designation.
NCDPI announced that 336 schools from 17 school districts and nine charter schools across North Carolina received the designation for the 2022-2023 school year. The schools and districts that earned this recognition were honored at a ceremony earlier this week.
CCS and the military community of Cumberland County maintain a close relationship. Military-connected students, who make up over 25 percent of the district’s 50,000-student population, face a different set of challenges from their peers who are not from military families. From relocation to parent deployments, these students frequently experience major changes in their lives and often benefit from specialized support.
“We are honored to serve the families and children of military service members who sacrifice so much for our country,” said CCS Superintendent Dr. Marvin Connelly, Jr. “From our school-level support to the Military Family Advisory Council, we are committed to ensuring every military-connected student has the support they need to reach their maximum potential. This award affirms the hard work that is taking place throughout the district to support our military-connected students and their families.”
Each school in the district has a Military Family Life Counselor who serves as a designated point of contact for military students and families, and these counselors have a designated Central Services staff member to support them. Additionally, the district provides a dedicated military family resource page on its website, a transition program for inbound and outbound families, and annual professional development that addresses special considerations for military students and families.
To learn more about CCS’ military-related support, visit the district’s Military Connection website.
NCDPI launched the Purple Star Award Designation initiative in 2019 to recognize the state’s large military population and its support for military families. To learn more about the Purple Star Award designation and the winning schools and districts, visit the NCDPI Purple Star Award website.
