Bill Childress and Congressman Silvestre Reyes elementary schools in the Canutillo Independent School District received the prestigious Purple Star Designation by the Texas Education Agency for their continued commitment to military-connected families.
The two CISD schools are among the 179 schools statewide to receive this designation during the 2022-23 school year. This is Reyes’ second time receiving a Purple Star and Childress’ first.
“Canutillo ISD has a long history of celebrating our military members and supporting the families that make up this proud community,” said Superintendent Dr. Pedro Galaviz. “The Purple Star Designation is proof positive that CISD schools are going above and beyond in our responsibility to provide high-quality services to these amazing students, their parents and anyone else who makes the sacrifice in service to our country.”
To be eligible for a Purple Star, schools must designate a campus-based military liaison, create and maintain an easily accessible web page that includes information for military-connected students and their families, institute a campus transition program for military-connected students, and support a military family assistance initiative.
Childress and Reyes have created special programming to help military families — especially those connected to Fort Bliss — cope with the challenges of transitioning into the local school system.
The program was created by the Texas Legislature in 2019. Winning schools will receive a Purple Star plaque to display on campus and will be recognized in a special announcement on the TEA website.