Schools

Cathedral school awarded Purple Star

Cayden Evans, a third grader at St. Thomas More Cathedral School in Arlington, reads at the lectern Nov. 19. | COURTESY

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John Rovinski Jr. stands with his son, John Rovinski III, a second grader at St. Thomas More Cathedral School in Arlington, during Mass Nov. 19. | COURTESY

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St. Thomas More Cathedral School in Arlington was designated a Purple Star School by the Virginia Department of Education. The designation recognizes schools committed to supporting students and families connected with the military.

Out of the school’s 400 Pre-K-8th grade students, 60 have military ties.

 “Military families blend right in at STM, they have a lot of support here,” said Principal Catherine Davis, who served in the U.S. Navy for 20 years. “Parents dressed in uniform is a common sight as they drop off students for school en route to the Pentagon, Ft. Myer and all across D.C.”

“Our entire school community is sensitive to the challenges military families face,” said Jennifer McDermitt, who serves as a point of contact for military families at the school’s office. “They typically move every two to three years, experience deployed parents, and may live on a base.” She added, “We are blessed with many families who leave us for a new assignment and then return again years later. It’s such a compliment to have them choose us twice.”

The school celebrated by inviting military families to join their children for Mass at the Cathedral of St. Thomas More Nov. 19 for grades 1-4 and Nov. 20 for grades 5-8.

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