For Immediate Release
November 2, 2018
FREDERICKSBURG, Va. – Holy Cross Academy in
Fredericksburg received the Virginia Purple Star Award. The school, located at 250 Stafford Lakes
Parkway, was one of 59 in the Commonwealth to receive the designation. The Purple Star designation is awarded by
the Virginia Department of Education and the Virginia Council on the Interstate
Compact on the Educational Opportunity for Military Children to
military-friendly schools that have demonstrated their commitment to meeting the needs of military-connected students and their families.
“We recognize that military
families have special challenges with parents deployed and families who may have
to move every few years,” says Sister Susan Louise Eder, principal of Holy
Cross Academy. Sister Louise says the school has a military point of contact
set up to help military families who must move to and from various places. “Military
families are encouraged to contact Jerry Sarchet, our assistant principal and a
veteran himself,” she says. Sarchet assists families in choosing the right
school for their child, helps them with the application, and fills in any gaps
needed to accelerate the application process.
In addition to accommodating military families, the school has a Wall of
Heroes on Veterans Day for veterans living or deceased, and for active
military. Every year on Veteran’s Day, a
veteran or an active military officer comes to the school and leads the Pledge
of Allegiance at the end of Mass.
As
for the designation, Sister Eder said, ““We are grateful for the Purple Star
designation which proclaims our commitment to help our military families and
our gratitude for their service to our nation and our world."
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