GETTING READY FOR THE NEW SCHOOL YEAR

BY FORT BLISS MWR SCHOOL LIAISON OFFICE

Back-to-School season is here!

School registration, shopping for uniforms and supplies are on everyone’s mind as we approach the 2023/24 school year. Summer also means transition, for many of our Military Connected Students. As new arriving Families navigate their way through the school system, questions about what their new home has to offer in terms of their child’s education and how to make this transition as seamless as possible are just some of the challenges that comes with each permanent change of station (PCS) move.

El Paso area schools offer a wide variety of academic, extracurricular and social activities; including Dual Language classrooms, Early College High Schools and Magnet Programs, where students can get a head start on career fields such as pre-law or engineering and much more. Each school district offers career readiness curriculum to ensure the most rigorous and positive learning environment for all students.

Whether this is your child’s first school experience, or your student is near graduation, El Paso area schools and the School Liaison Office are here to make this transition a positive experience.

Most El Paso area districts offer digital tools to make the registration process easy for parents. Visit your District’s website to learn more about the registration process, requirements and how to get started.

Contact your assigned campus for specific academic, registration, or athletic requirements or reach out to the School Liaison Office at 915-569-5064 for more information on educational opportunities in the El Paso area. Aside from academic challenges that can accompany a move to a new duty station, students can also face social and emotional challenges associated with relocation and leaving familiar social networks and activities behind. Many of our campuses offer a Youth Sponsorship Program that can help ensure that youth are connected to their new community before they move and when they first arrive. This allows them to ask questions about their new community, school, activities, etc. and get connected with their peers. Sponsors can provide school orientations so students can navigate through a new school easily, while providing important social connections for incoming students. Ask your gaining campus about resources that can help your transitioning student. To request a youth sponsor, contact your School Liaison Office or go to bliss.armymwr.com, search School Support Services for more information.

The El Paso area is also home to several “Purple Star” designated campuses. The Purple Star Campus Designation recognizes school districts 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 must demonstrate their commitment to providing a military friendly environment by appointing a military liaison at the campus level. The liaison serves as a point of contact for military Families and can assist with transitional issues. Some of the benefits of a “Purple Star” designated school that provides additional support and a culture of acceptance for all students include:

Professional development for staff, to better understand the needs of military students.

A transition peer to peer program for students, designed to help with integration.

Easy access web pages, that includes information and area resources for military Families.

This great tool will allow transitioning Families to find crucial information before they ever set foot in a new community. These are only a few of the criteria in place to determine which campus can display that Purple Star as a symbol of a military friendly campus. To learn more about Texas Purple Star schools, visit the Texas Education Agency at https://tea.texas.gov/about-tea/other-services/ military-families/purple-star-campus-designation.

Reach out to the Fort Bliss School Liaison Office, they will be glad to assist with any educational questions you may have.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 5 • 9am-1PM info: 915-568-5563

Art & Hobby Marshall Park

Corner of Marshall & Cassidy RD.