Welcome to Goldsmith-Schiffman Elementary School, where we love our military-connected families!  We are excited to welcome our military families through the Alabama Purple Star School program.  The Purple Star School program established by Legislature with the passage of Act 2021-7, recognizes the efforts of the K-12 schools in the state that are committed and supportive of military students, and their families, as they transition to their new homes and schools. The Purple Star School program was designed to help mitigate the challenges of high mobility by setting standards for and publicly designating military-friendly schools. This award recognizes schools that show a major commitment to military-connected students and families.

Amy Sayne

The S2S program here at Goldsmith-Schiffman Elementary helps to bring military and civilian students together in ways that make new students feel welcome, create a positive school environment, support academic excellence, and ease transitions.  Our S2S sponsor is Amy Sayne.

S2S at GSES is comprised of 5thgrade students who have interest in the program.  These students serve the school by helping new students transition to the school.  When new students arrive to GSES they are greeted by an S2S 5th grade student to help them feel comfortable and acclimate to their new school environment.  S2S students will give new students a tour, discuss the school, and answer questions.  These students serve as school spirit leaders at events.  They help their peers by reading with first grade students during the “Owlsome Readers” reading initiative.  These students also serve our military families by greeting and showing spirit in our GSES Veteran’s Parade and working with students at our “Purple Up Day for GSES Military Kids”. GSES S2S meets twice monthly as a group and for our special events.

The Huntsville City Schools Military Families web page is designed to provided information to military families that are relocating to Huntsville, Alabama.  It has links to additional resources and contact information for the military liaison for Huntsville City Schools. The district military liaison is identified there with a link to contact information.

The Military Child web site supports all military-connected children by educating, advocating, and collaborating to resolve education challenges associated with the military lifestyle.  The site contains a set of resources for students, parents, and education professionals available in multiple formats:  videos, webinars and downloadable documents.

Additional resources are available on the Alabama Heroes Welcome Initiative website.

Erica Lewis, Redstone Arsenal Liaison
Jennifer Holliday, Alabama Military Family Liaison
Debbie Maddry, Military Child Education Coalition Liaison