Houston Co.'s Hilltop Elementary named Military Flagship School by state
HOUSTON COUNTY, GA – Hilltop Elementary School was honored by the Georgia Department of Education on Thursday as an inaugural Military Flagship School.
State Superintendent Richard Woods honored the school during a ceremony at Hilltop.
The award recognizes schools that provide a supportive environment for military students and families by recognizing and accommodating their unique needs. Hilltop is one of only six schools in the state to be recognized.
“Serving our military students and families is our honor," Hilltop Elementary Principal Dr. Ovedia Glover said. "Receiving this award is humbling, and we are pleased to be recognized for taking care of our students. We’re like a family, and we believe that Hilltop is one of the best kept secrets in town.”
As a part of outreach to military families, Hilltop Elementary has a military buddy system.
New students are invited to activities to meet and interact with other new students. Information is also shared about the school and students are encouraged to ask questions about Hilltop Elementary and the community. Hilltop also provides school guidance and counseling services through the School Counselor Wanda Stafford and Military Family Life Counselor Kelly Ward. Students may visit with either counselor to discuss concerns or simply talk with a caring person.
In addition, the Robins Air Force Base Deployment Support Group holds quarterly meetings with Hilltop students whose parents are deployed, just returned from a deployment or about to be deployed. The students work on meaningful deployment projects to make and take home and have someone to talk with who understands the unique challenges of having a parent who is deployed.
Hilltop Elementary also has other programs such as:
- a Veterans Day program
- annual, week-long celebration during April, Month of the Military Child, to highlight military students and their families
- an After-School Camp for military students with activities such as making friendship bracelets
- Military Parent and Child Time (M-PACT) where parents can have breakfast and lunch with their children
