7 Cabot schools 1st to win Purple Stars

Seven schools in the Cabot district are the first recipients of the Arkansas Purple Star School Award for their commitment to serving military students and their families.

The schools are Southside Elementary School, Eastside Elementary, Stagecoach Elementary, Mountain Springs Elementary, Cabot Middle School North, Cabot Junior High School North and Cabot Freshman Academy.

To be named a Purple Star School, a campus must meet several criteria, including the designation of a liaison for military students and families, training for staff members regarding federal provisions for military students and families, and featuring on the district’s website resources for military families. There also are optional criteria such as providing training for families on school records, student placement, attendance and graduation requirements.

The Purple Star School designation is for two years. The Arkansas State Council for the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children will check for compliance at the end of the first year. At the end of the second year, the school may reapply by submitting a statement of continued compliance.

“Cabot is home to a large number of military families due to its close proximity to Little Rock Air Force Base,” Cabot Superintendent Tony Thurman said. “With more than 1,000 military children enrolled in Cabot Schools, we are committed to supporting our families emotionally, academically and providing the resources they need to be successful. We appreciate the sacrifices our families make each and every day and are honored to receive the Purple Star School Award.”