Hardy Oak Elementary School kicked off the Month of the Military Child with the first of several planned ‘Military Monday’ events.
Students with active-duty military parents will be recognized during the morning announcements every Monday in April, giving them a chance to acknowledge their parent’s branch of service. The campus is also collaborating to create and hang dandelion artwork around the school. Dandelions are known for growing and blooming wherever they are planted, much like our resilient military children.
Hardy Oak’s Student 2 Student (S2S) program is also blooming on campus. With more than 40 active members, there’s always a student ambassador ready to greet new students.
“I wanted to join because S2S is about helping others and I like being helpful,” said third grader Liza Hoffman. “You also get to make friends. When there are new kids we show them around, eat with them at lunch, play with them at recess – just make them feel welcome.”
“I wanted to help all of the new military people who come from all across the world and welcome them to our school,” said third grader Harper Lara.
North East ISD is proud to have 59 elementary, middle and high schools with Purple Star Designation. This Texas Education Agency designation goes to schools that excel in meeting the needs of military students and their families.
Counselor Jana Sensat is one of the S2S sponsors. She’s watched the program thrive under the direction of teacher Brandi McKinney, who served in the Air Force, and Ashley Holloway, whose husband is retired Air Force.
Every new child at Hardy Oak, whether military or not, is greeted with a welcome bag and a tour from S2S ambassadors.
“When you move, there’s so much stress on the family,” said Sensat. “As a counselor, I see these kids come in and they’re really nervous. When a kid welcomes you at school it takes a lot of pressure off of not knowing anyone. I think that’s a huge weight off of their shoulders.”
Make sure you check out our military families page or wear purple as NEISD celebrates Purple Up! For Military Kids Day on Friday, April 14.
