Military-Connected Youth October Bulletin
Dear Military Family Liaisons,
Military members serving in Ohio belong to a variety of services and duty statuses. Ohio is home to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, which is the largest Air Force Base in the country and has the largest concentration of military personnel in the state. What is less widely known is that about two-thirds of service members in the state are members of the reserves or National Guard. This means that most military-connected students come from families that are spread out in every county in the state. This can lead to lower visibility of families in the reserve component since they are not always near large military installations. This summer’s issue of On the Move from the Military Child Education Coalition contains an article on this subject (page 16). The Reserve Organization of America (ROA)’s STARS in Schools program has resources for schools, students and families specific to meeting the needs of military-connected students from reserve families.
Purple Star 2023-2024 Application and Webinar
Schools that create welcoming environments that support the needs of military-connected students are celebrated in Ohio. The Purple Star designation recognizes schools that show a significant commitment to serving students and families connected to our nation’s armed forces.
Applications for the Class of 2024 (both new and renewal schools) will open on November 1, 2023. All schools awarded in 2021 are required to apply for renewal this fall. Renewal schools will receive a link to the renewal application via email on November 1. New schools can apply via the application on the website starting November 1. The application season closes on December 15, 2023, and awardees will be announced in April 2024. Registration is currently open for a webinar on the Purple Star Application process. The webinar will be held online on October 18 at 4:00 p.m.
New Resources for Military Family Liaisons
The Ohio Department of Education has recently published a webpage on the roles and responsibilities of Military Family Liaisons. The webpage explains the role of the Military Family Liaison and provides ideas and resources for carrying out the role that align with requirements for the Purple Star Award.
With the assistance of the Purple Star Advisory Board, the “Military Children in Ohio’s Schools” course has been updated. The course is one of the professional development options required for new liaisons and is available in the ODE learning management system. Access the course by logging into your OH|ID account. Under "My Apps," select "Learning Management System (LMS)" and click "Open App." Then search for the course in the course catalog.
Purple Star USA National Convening
The second annual National Convening of Schools and Communities is an opportunity for supporters of military-connected youth from all levels to share best practices. Registration to attend the 2023 National Convening is currently open. The event is free and will be held online on October 26, 2023, the Day of the Deployed. If attendees cannot attend the event in full, they are encouraged to attend sessions as able.
Janet Wynn Memorial Award
Each year, the Ohio Military Interstate Children’s Compact Commission (MIC3) State Council honors an Ohio military family or school-aged youth that has displayed exceptional perseverance, grit and determination throughout a PCS move or transition between school districts with the Janet Wynn Award. This year’s recipient is Reagan Jones, a senior at Southeastern High School in Chillicothe. The award is named in honor of Janet Wynn who was a mother, wife, educator, Ohio MIC3 Council member and a School Liaison Officer that served the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base community.
Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children
Military families face challenges when they transition between duty stations or are activated from the National Guard or Reserve. The Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children helps reduce barriers for transitioning military families. For more information on the compact, visit the Military Interstate Children’s Compact Commission (MIC3) website. Compact 101 webinar trainings are available every month online and are free. Upcoming dates are:
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Oct. 11 at 8:00 a.m.
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Nov. 14 at 2:00 p.m.
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Dec. 12 at 2:00 p.m.
Military & English Learner Education Consultant
Office of Whole Child Supports
25 South Front Street, 3rd Floor
Columbus, Ohio 43215-4183
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