St. Albert the Great School’s Purple Star designation renewed

The Ohio Department of Education announced that St. Albert the Great School in North Royalton is among the schools to have its Purple Star designation renewed for 2021-2024.

The Purple Star Award indicates the school is military friendly and shows a major commitment to students and families that are connected to the United States’ military. St. Albert first received the award in 2017.

This designation is earned by schools that demonstrate support of active duty, reserve and veteran military members and their families.

Here are some of the activities undertaken by the St. Albert the Great community to support members of the military and their families:

• The parish partners with Wally Ohler, head of the Ohio Veterans Relief Organization. They collect funds and supplies to send Boxes of Cheer to troops deployed around the world and in the community and to provide assistance to veterans.
• In addition, thousands of rosaries, made by the parish rosary makers, have been sent to deployed troops.
• The parish Quilt of Valor ministry presents patriotic quilts to service members during a Mass honoring the military heroes.
• The sixth grade hosts a Military Salute near Veterans Day, during which students honor service members whom they have interviewed and about whom they’ve written a narrative.
• During April, the Month of the Military Child, military-connected students are honored and recognized through a PurpleUP! dress-down day.

School officials said these efforts are intended to show the gratitude and esteem that the St. Albert community feels for members of the military.

Edward Vittardi is principal of St. Albert the Great School and Father Edward Estok is the parish pastor.