In a significant achievement for Papillion La Vista Community Schools, every school in the district has now been designated as a Purple Star School, recognizing their commitment to supporting military-connected students and families. This district-wide designation was officially awarded at the beginning of 2025, with schools joining Papillion La Vista South High School and Anderson Grove Elementary, which had previously earned this distinction.

To celebrate this achievement and recognize April as the Month of the Military Child, PLCS held a formal ceremony last Friday at Papillion La Vista High School. The event included the presentation of colors by the PLCS Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (NJROTC) and featured several distinguished guests.

Special speakers included Colonel Mark Howard and Chief Master Sergeant Andrew Small of the 55th Wing at Offutt Air Force Base, who addressed the importance of educational support for military families. Bobbi Lawhorn, PLHS School Counselor and military liaison, and Cameron Pospisil, U.S. Marines veteran and PLHS Skilled and Technical Sciences teacher, also spoke about how the Purple Star program helps military families identify supportive schools and access resources.

The Purple Star designation is awarded based on a school's demonstrated commitment to supporting military children through the unique challenges they face and celebrating the strengths they bring to the school community. The color purple symbolizes all military branches united, making it an appropriate emblem for this inclusive program.

Military-connected students face distinct challenges, including frequent relocations and parent deployments. Statistics indicate that a military child may attend six to nine different schools before graduation, creating potential academic and social disruptions. Additionally, these students often experience the emotional challenges associated with parent deployments for extended periods.

PLCS addresses these needs through various support mechanisms, including designated military liaison staff members, student-led transition programs to welcome new military-connected students, professional development for staff on military family needs, and military appreciation events throughout the school year.

This week, staff members across the district wore purple clothing to demonstrate their support for military children and visibly recognize their service and sacrifice. This simple but meaningful gesture helps military-connected students feel seen and supported within their school communities.

The district-wide Purple Star status reflects PLCS's commitment to creating inclusive, supportive learning environments for all students, with special attention to those whose families serve in the armed forces.