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Columbia Middle receives Military Flagship School Award

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The Columbia County School District is pleased to announce that Columbia Middle has been recognized as a 2022-2023 Military Flagship School by the Georgia Department of Education. Each year the Georgia Department of Education recognizes schools for going above and beyond to provide a supportive environment for military students and families. All of Georgia’s K-12 public schools were invited to apply for the Military Flagship School Award, and applications were evaluated by a panel of judges with experience in the education of military-connected students. “We are honored to be recognized as a Military Flagship School,” said Dr. Holly Barnes, Principal of Columbia Middle School. “We value the relationships we have with our military students and their families, and appreciate the opportunity to be able to help provide a positive educational experience for our military-connected children and their families.” The school held a special ceremony on Friday, April 14, 2023, with special guest Richard Woods, State School Superintendent, to present the school with the Military Flagship School Award.

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I'd like to congratulate Columbia Middle School  for becoming our newest Military Flagship recognized school. [Clapping] It was a big day at Columbia Middle School on April 14th, becoming the second school in the Columbia County School District  to earn the Military Flagship School Award. We know that many of our students move in and out, and we want to make that a very good transition. Earning the distinction is voluntary. Applicant schools have their programs for military students evaluated by the state to determine if those programs truly connect military families with their schools. A couple of these people that I know, which are my friends still today,  they helped me open up. They introduced me to all my teachers, and they were so welcoming. Our teachers and students are very accepting and just embrace our military families. The program also includes a proactive approach through a partnership with a Military Family Fife Counselor from Fort Gordon. It wasn't reactive, waiting until you know that it looked like something was going on and he needed to talk somebody, but rather just like checking in on him and making sure everything was still going okay. And that was, that was really impressive to me. According to the CSRA Alliance for Fort Gordon, the Fort is the area's largest employer with an estimated economic impact of over $2.4 billion dollars annually. And state School Superintendent Richard Wood says the award isn't simply a distinction but a way to ensure future economic growth and stability. I know what it means, you know, to lose a military installation. It's very devastating to a county. And so I think anything that we can do to signal to Washington, D.C., that we first and foremost, we're going to look after your families. The area already has an impact on the Riggs family. We are very happy here. And now, like, so much so to the extent that now my parents have moved down here. And Preston has this encouragement for other military students. Out of this whole world, there's always those good people who want to help.  For the Columbia County School School District, I'm Heather McCroan.

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Columbia Middle receives Military Flagship School Award

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