Ysleta ISD's Eastwood Heights Elementary School now proudly bears the Purple Star, an esteemed recognition from the Texas Education Agency awarded to campuses that go above and beyond in supporting the unique needs of military-connected students and their families. In a state where the spirit of resilience is often synonymous with its fierce independence, this mark distinguishes not only the school but the district itself, now boasting six Purple Star schools: Alicia Chacon International, Eastwood Knolls International, Edgemere International, R.E.L. Washington International School, and Young Women’s Leadership Academy, as noted by Ysleta ISD.
It's no secret that the military lifestyle is synonymous with unpredictability, families often grappling with the turmoil of repeated relocations, new schools, and the heart-wrenching sting of deployment, changes that are anything but child's play. The Ysleta ISD crafted the HERO Military Program to greet such challenges with open arms. The program is a testament to the district's commitment to easing these formidable transitions, featuring a dedicated liaison on each campus who plays an essential role, guiding families through the procedural mazes of enrollment and bridging the gap to a slew of resources, community connections, and a sense of belonging that can otherwise seem light years away.
The Purple Star designation isn't merely a badge of honor but a signal flare of hope; it indicates a school's unwavering dedication to families in military service, highlighting welcome tours, student buddy programs, and month-long celebrations like the Month of the Military Child, according to Ysleta ISD. And let's not overlook that any Texas public school or open-enrollment charter school, irrespective of the number of military-connected students it serves, can vie for this honor, with applications accepted yearly and the designation renewable biennially.
