Superintendent and Staff Salute WCPSS Veterans
Nov. 10, 2011 - In recognition of Veterans Day tomorrow, Superintendent Tony Tata today expressed his appreciation to those teachers and other school system employees who have served their nation in the United States military.
Tata, who is speaking at a veterans' tribute ceremony at Penny Road Elementary this afternoon, said, "I want to thank all of our veterans working in our school system for their service to our nation as well as to the children of Wake County. Their continued public service makes our county and nation stronger."
Among the school system's veterans are six officers and five non-commissioned officers who lead Air Force, Army and Navy JROTC programs at WCPSS high schools. More than 800 cadets participate.
In addition to the many schools holding Veterans Day observances, the Veterans Day parade in Raleigh will feature JROTC units from Cary, Millbrook, Sanderson and Wake Forest-Rolesville high schools and the Middle Creek High marching band.
"As we honor Veterans Day, we need to also think about the school-age children of deployed service members and the unique challenges they face. Our intervention services team is developing an outreach effort for our students who have a parent deployed," Tata said.
The school system supports students who are children of deployed family members by providing online resources for school counselors and social workers. School social worker Rick Mendzef serves on the Wake County Military and Veterans Resource Coalition, headed by Dr. Randy Marsh of Wake County Human Services and comprising a range of agencies and organizations including the North Carolina National Guard. Mendzef is notified of deployments, returns, and changes in resources, and provides those updates to other social workers. WCPSS is also identifying gaps in services to students of deployed parents and working to improve its coordination with other agencies.