Windber district named Purple Star institution

BY JOSHUA BYERS

JBYERS@TRIBDEM.COM

WINDBER – Windber Area School District is one of nine districts in Pennsylvania to be named a Purple Star School by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

The Purple Star program was created in 2022 and recognizes districts that demonstrate a strong commitment to supporting military-connected students, especially those who transfer schools due to parents’ change in duty station.

“We are incredibly grateful to the families in the armed forces who provide to our community, and we want to do all we can to eliminate barriers – to provide hope and opportunity,” Superintendent Michael Vuckovich said.

Vuckovich said different schools may have varying graduation requirements and that could cause a conflict for a student.

It’s those type of barriers, he said, that Windber Area wants to eliminate.

District officials applied for the designation this year with PDE.

That process includes a review of district operations based on meeting necessary criteria, such as designating a staff member as a military liaison, how military-connected students are served, and a studentled transition program for military families.

Pennsylvania Department of Education staff work with schools to address any changes, Vuckovich said, and they wait to hear about their application from there.

The Purple Star designation is held for a three-year term and can then be renewed by reapplying, according to the state education department.

Windber administrators and school board member Mark Portante, as well as local veterans, went to the state Capitol in Harrisburg Tuesday to be recognized on the Pennsylvania House floor by state Rep. Jim Rigby, R-Ferndale.

“We are incredibly grateful for Rep. Rigby’s time, kindness and unwavering commitment to our community and veterans,” a Windber release said.

“His recognition of our district’s efforts is a testament to the importance of providing stability and support for military families in Pennsylvania.”

Joshua Byers can be reached at 814-532-5054. Follow him on Twitter @Journo_Josh.