Columbia, Heritage lauded for eS2S network for military, civilian students
The Military Child Education Coalition has commended the Elementary Student 2 Student or eS2S outreach at Columbia and Heritage elementary schools. In the photo, Heritage ambassadors gather for an eS2S meeting. CONTRIBUTED
Madison, Madison County Record, News, Schools, Z - News Main
 By  GreggParker Published 
10:15 pm Tuesday, December 1, 2020

Columbia, Heritage lauded for eS2S network for military, civilian students

MADISON – The Military Child Education Coalition has selected Columbia and Heritage elementary schools as top-four finalists for the Student 2 Student Outstanding Team Award and among Top Ten finalists for all age levels (elementary, middle and high school).

S2S and eS2S (for elementary) raise awareness about needs of transitioning students, both military-connected and civilian. “eS2S allows ambassadors to help new students ease into a friendly environment. It’s helpful for new students knowing they have support from peers,” counselor Macy Smith said.

Student Ambassadors make their schools a place where the new student feels accepted, welcomed and ‘at home.’ “Military kids move (up to) nine times during grades K-12 and change schools three times more often than (civilian) peers. That’s a lot of moving!” Heritage eS2S Sponsor Melissa Butler said.

“The S2S program provides such an important leadership experience for these young leaders within their schools and throughout local communities,” Rob Frazier said about Columbia and Heritage’s work. Frazier is Director of Marketing & Communications with Military Child Education Coalition.

“The eS2S experience was an awesome addition to our work at Heritage,” Principal Dr. Georgina Nelson said. “The program provided resources, training and support for all of our eS2S team … to meet needs of military families and those families new to Heritage.”

eS2S Ambassadors serve as greeters at school events. In November, eS2S invited veterans in student families as special guests at lunch.

By selling doughnuts, these students raised almost $8,000 for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tenn. eS2S donated lost-and-found items to North Alabama Foster Closet. They gave hygiene supplies and snacks to residents of Floyd E. ‘Tut’ Fann State Veterans Home in Huntsville.

eS2S “dovetails beautifully with our work in Leader in Me and implementing the ‘seven habits’ daily as a way of life,” Nelson said. Their ‘lessons learned’ have far-reaching implications to faculty, staff, students and families. “We’re grateful to be part of this great program for many years and honored as one of the top four elementary programs in the nation.”

Counselor Casey Gaines said Columbia fosters positive relationships with students and community. “Columbia currently has 852 students; 76 are new students, 50 active-duty military families and 228 impact-aid families. We’re proud of our 30 student ambassadors’ acts of service to peers and community.”

eS2S Ambassadors representing Madison at the MCEC Virtual Education Summit 2020 on Nov. 17-18 were Adriana Gadomski, Lucy Herndon, Jaxon Kimberly, Blake Lugos, Chloe Powell and Savannah Velez.

 

Also on The Madison Record
Rocket City Marching Invitational set for Saturday, Sept. 20 at stadium
Bob Jones High School, Madison, Madison County Record, ...
Gregg Parker 
September 17, 2025
MADISON – Bob Jones High School Bands, in collaboration with title sponsor KODA Technologies, will present the third annual Rocket City Marching Invit...
Mayor Paul Finley bids farewell, reflects on accomplishments at 2025 Madison Update
A: Main, Madison County Record, News, ...
Maria Rakoczy 
September 17, 2025
MADISON - Madison Mayor Paul Finley will be leaving the office of mayor this Nov. after sitting out the Aug. 26 election. Finley addressed the busines...
District 6 seat to be decided Tuesday in runoff election
A: Main, Madison County Record, News, ...
Maria Rakoczy 
September 17, 2025
MADISON - There is one final race to be decided from Madison’s municipal Aug. 26 election. The representative for District 6 on the Madison City Counc...
Heart of the Valley YMCA exits Chapter 11 bankruptcy, renews mission focus
A: Main, Business, Madison County Record, ...
Gregg Parker 
September 17, 2025
HUNTSVILLE – On Sept. 8, Heart of the Valley YMCA announced its successful emergence from Chapter 11 bankruptcy. This development marks a new chapter ...
MCDAB presents check to Parks and Recreation, chairperson steps down
Madison County Record, News, The Madison Recor, ...
Maria Rakoczy 
September 17, 2025
MADISON - After serving as the chairperson for the Madison City Disability Advocacy Board (MCDAB) for nine years, Janessa Crosswy is moving and steppi...
State lawmakers, local city leaders meet with Space Command leader to discuss transition
Madison County Record, News, The Madison Recor, ...
By ALEX ANGLE Alabama Daily News 
September 17, 2025
WASHINGTON — Space Command is moving quickly to bring the headquarters to Huntsville through meetings with members of the state’s congressional delega...
Best-Selling Author Jen Hatmaker to share memoir on Oct. 21
Events, Madison County Record, News, ...
Gregg Parker 
September 17, 2025
MADISON – Jean Hatmaker, “New York Times” Best-Selling Author, speaker and podcaster, will share thoughts from her memoir, “Awake,” at Blue Apple Book...

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *