Lucas County’s Swanton Middle School is among the first eight schools to receive the Purple Star Award from the Ohio Department of Education.

The award recognizes schools that show a major commitment to serving students and families connected to the military. Purple Star awardees receive a special purple star recognition to display in their buildings. The Purple Star Advisory Board, formed by the Ohio departments of Education, Higher Education, Veterans Services, and Adjutant General, helps decide eligibility.

There are 34,000 children in Ohio with one or more parents serving in the military, according to the department of education.

A Purple Star school will receive the designation for two years. After two years, the school must reapply.

First Published October 31, 2017, 3:09 p.m.