Purple Star schools continue to support

Purple Star schools continue to show support

BY SIMONE HENDRICKS

FAMILY & MWR SCHOOL LIAISON OFFICE

More than 1.2 million military-connected students face issues surrounding school transition. It is a top priority for families as they navigate from duty station to duty station. Students often face issues such as gaps and overlaps in curriculum, different graduation requirements, course placement disruption, and many other hurdles when changing schools. Students’ also experience social and emotional challenges associated with relocation, such as leaving familiar social support systems and activities behind, to start over in a new community.

Once a military family has been notified of their new duty station, finding the right community and school for their children becomes a priority. Parents will spend hours researching educational opportunities, in an effort to find the right school that understands the unique lifestyle of military-connected students, while offering quality education and effective resources.

How do you know if the school you choose understands these challenges? Will they be well equipped to meet the students’ needs, both academically, socially and emotionally?

Transitioning for families is now an easier task, because certain schools have been designated as military-kid friendly. States and school districts recognize them as Purple Star Schools. These schools have put in the effort to understand and show support to military-connected students. Families can now search for schools with these special designations.

The Purple Star Campus Designation recognizes school district and open enrollment charter school campuses that show their support and commitment to meeting the unique needs of military-connected students and their families.

Purple Star campuses have to demonstrate their commitment to provide a military-friendly environment by appointing a campus-based military liaison as a point of contact for military families who can assist with transitional issues.

Professional development for staff, to better understand the needs of military students and a transition program for students, designed to help with integration, are also among the many benefits Purple Star campuses will offer incoming families.

Easy access webpages, that includes information for military families are a must for Purple Star schools. This great tool will allow transitioning families to find crucial information before they set foot in a new community. These are only some criteria to determine which campus can display a Purple Star as a symbol of a military-friendly campus.

The 2019-20 school year marked the first year that Texas campuses could apply for the Purple Star Designation. Region 19 currently has over 50 campuses across three districts that have already earned that designation, with more campuses applying this year.

How a Purple Star campus can help ease transition for military families is quite simple. Campuses that already have resources and programs in place to aid incoming youth will be able to remove many challenges from the start and provide a welcoming environment for transitioning students. Parents that are aware of the Purple Star designation can narrow their research and use this as a compass as they seek out the best fit for their students.

To find out if your school has been designated as a Purple Star campus visit https://tea.texas.gov/abouttea/news-and-multimedia/correspondence/taa-letters/ purple-star-campus-designation-awardees or visit bliss. armymwr.com, search School Liaison. The School Liaison Office (SLO) is here to help you navigate your child’s academic journey. For more information, call 915-5695064, or email usarmy.bliss.imcomfmwrc.mbx.school-liaison-office@ mail.mil. SLO is located at 505 Pershing Road, Room 107.