Bay Village Schools Recognized as Purple Star District;
Each of the District’s Five Buildings Named Purple Star Schools
(BAY VILLAGE, OH) On Tuesday, April 15, 2025, the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce announced its Class of 2025 Purple Star Schools, which included all five of Bay Village City School District’s school buildings: Glenview Center for Child Care & Learning (toddler through preschool and before/after care); Normandy Elementary School (grades K-2); Westerly Elementary School (grades 3-4); Bay Middle School (grades 5-8); and Bay High School (grades 9-12). This is the second time the district’s K-12 buildings have applied for and received this distinction; additionally, this is the first time the Glenview Center for Child Care & Learning has applied for and received Purple Star distinction. Bay Village Schools is the only public school district in Cuyahoga County to have each of its school buildings earn the distinction this year. The designation is for 2025-2028.
The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce announced that 115 schools received the esteemed award for the first time. Overall, 367 Ohio schools received Purple Star designations, and 252 Ohio schools earned a renewal. According to the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce, Purple Star Schools show a significant commitment to serving students and families connected to our nation’s armed forces.
“This prestigious recognition underscores our deep commitment to supporting the military families who call our district home,” said Bay Village Schools Supt. Scot Prebles. “Our staff understands the unique challenges that military children and their families face, including frequent moves and the sacrifices made by their parents in service to our nation. This Purple Star designation affirms the steps we have taken, and inspires us to further enhance our efforts to provide a welcoming, supportive and academically enriching environment for these students. We are honored to be a Purple Star School District and remain steadfast in our commitment to serving those who serve us."
Bay Village Schools started the Purple Star initiative during the 2021-22 school year when administration saw a need after realizing how many military-connected families live in Bay Village. As a result, the Bay Village Board of Education passed a Resolution in Support of Military-connected Children and Families in November of 2021.
The district then created a webpage for military families that provides resources and information. The district also celebrates Veterans Day, Military Family Month, mails care packages to alumni who are serving, and celebrates Month of the Military Child each April. The district’s 71 military-connected students (coming from 34 families) were honored earlier this month with goody bags created by Bay Middle School Makerspace students to thank them for their own sacrifices. Bay Village Schools also held a Purple Up Day on April 9, 2025, encouraging all district staff and students to wear purple.
The district’s Internal Military Points of Contact Team includes: Registrar Pat Reitz; Care Coordinator Megan Basel; Glenview Center for Child Care & Learning Teacher Kelly Baon; Normandy Elementary School Teacher Anne Hart; Westerly Elementary School Teacher John Maxwell; Bay Middle School Teacher Mark Kevesdy; and Bay High School Teacher Rob Grossman. Each of these team members went through special training to qualify for this team.
To find out more about the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce’s Purple Star Designation, please click here.