April 21, 2022
On Thursday, April 21, 2022, David A. Harrison Elementary School welcomed the Virginia Department of Education's (VDOE) Military Family and Student Specialist Daniel Dunham for a visit to the campus as part of the Commonwealth's month-long celebration of April's Month of the Military Child.
Dunham was given a tour of Harrison's campus by principal Chris Scruggs and joined Mrs. Mallory's first-grade class for a special afternoon story time, reading "The Brand New Kid" by longtime television personality Katie Couric. Before departing, he gave the students gifts, purple star-adorned measuring tape, referencing the school's status as a Virginia Purple Star School.
Schools receiving this designation by the VDOE and the Virginia Council on the Interstate Compact on the Educational Opportunity for Military Children are recognized for their significant commitments to serving the needs of students and families connected to the military.
Prince George County Public Schools is home to four Purple Star Schools: North Elementary, L.L. Beazley Elementary, David A. Harrison Elementary, and William A. Walton Elementary.
Dunham's visit to Prince George County and Harrison Elementary highlights what has been a meaningful celebration of our military-connected students and families throughout April. Many of the district's schools have had special recognitions and events, including donning their favorite purple attire on Wednesday, April 20, as part of the Commonwealth's "Purple Up Day." Purple carries special meaning for the United States military as the color represents all branches of our armed services - U.S. Army, Air Force, Marine Corps, Navy, and Coast Guard.
Prince George County Public Schools enjoys a close relationship with U.S. Army Garrison - Fort Lee as our school division serves as the educational partner for families living and working at the military base. During the 2021-22 School Year, the division's total enrollment was 6,164. Of these students, 1,850, or 30 percent of PGCPS' enrollment, are children of military-connected parents and guardians.
We thank Mr. Dunham and Fort Lee School Liaison Officer Chaundra Taswell for visiting Harrison Elementary and spending time with our students during April's Month of the Military Child.
To learn more about the Month of the Military Child, visit the U.S. Department of Defense Education Activity website at https://www.dodea.edu/dodeaCelebrates/Military-Child-Month.cfm. For more information about the Commonwealth's efforts to support military families, visit the Virginia Department of Education's website at https://www.doe.virginia.gov/support/student_family/military/index.shtml.