Military-Connected Youth February Bulletin
Dear Military Family Liaisons,
Service members and their families continually make sacrifices when serving their country. In the past, many were unable to finish school while supporting their country in a time of war. Ohio law allows for school districts and charter nonpublic schools to grant a diploma to those that left high school during World War II, the Korean conflict, or the Vietnam conflict. Schools can award diplomas directly to a veteran or present them posthumously to a living relative. Schools and districts have the option to create an application that meets established criteria or use this sample application.
Funding Available for Global Youth Service Day 2025 Projects
ServeOhio is offering grants to support community service projects organized for Global Youth Service Day taking place April 25 - 27, 2025. Projects (or a series of projects) for this day of service can occur April 1 through April 30, 2025, with grant awards ranging from $250 to $1,500.
How can applicants use the funding?
The primary intent is to support projects or a series of projects that create or improve community assets or infrastructure, such as parks, schools, senior centers, community gardens, or low-income homes through youth volunteer engagement. Projects may span multiple days throughout the project window. Projects should be collaborative in nature, involve a broad spectrum of community participants, and benefit the larger community. Funds may be used for supplies, materials, and volunteer support.
Who is eligible to apply?
Nonprofit and public organizations in Ohio including, but not limited to, volunteer centers, faith-based organizations, school districts, community colleges, universities, and local governments are eligible to apply.
Military Child Education Coalition: Call for the Arts
The MCEC Call for the Arts program invites military-connected children from all over the world, representing every branch of service, to share their artistic interpretations of what it means to be a military-connected child. Since 2002, thousands of military-connected children have shared their experiences, dreams, and challenges through art.
The 2025 Call for the Arts contest is now open. Any military-connected student in grades K-12 can submit an entry here. Submissions are due by April 30, 2025.
Celebrating Veteran Stories in the Classroom
The mission of the National Veterans Memorial and Museum (NVMM) is to honor veterans, their families, and our communities by sharing the veteran experience and making a positive impact on their lives. In partnership with StoryCorps, NVMM is working to collect, preserve, and amplify the stories and experiences of our nation’s veterans.
The NVMM has space available to record your StoryCorps conversation for the NVMM Story Collection. Those who are interested in recording a conversation should contact Mason Farr at mfarr@nationalvmm.org to learn more.
Kindland
Kindland is a free program designed to help students understand the importance of kindness and compassion. Schools can register to become a Kindland School and receive a starter kit with lessons, activities, and resources.
On February 6, Kindland will host the Kickoff for Kindness. Schools need to register by February 3 to participate. Once registered, schools will receive a link to a 40-minute video presentation that can be shown at any time. The video is supported by the NFL and the Pro Football Hall of Fame and features inspiring stories and messages about player kindness and the importance of treating one another with kindness, care, and respect.
Military Signing Day
On March 11, the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce, in partnership with schools and communities, will host Military Signing Day for Ohio students committed to military service. Students in grades 11 and 12 who have committed to military service are invited to attend. This includes Ohio students who:
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Will attend a service academy in the fall;
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Accepted a Reserve Officer Training Corp (ROTC) scholarship; or
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Enlisted for service as active duty, reserve, or National Guard.
This year’s celebration will take place at the National Veterans Memorial and Museum, 300 W. Broad Street, Columbus, on Tuesday, March 11. Doors open at 10:00 a.m. for check-in and museum access, and the program will begin promptly at 11:00 a.m. Registration is required for all attendees and guests. Students will include their guest’s information as part of their registration. Attendees can view the museum’s exhibits prior to and at the conclusion of the ceremony. Registration will close on Friday, February 28, or earlier if seating is full.
The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce is committed to providing access and inclusion and reasonable accommodation in its services, activities, programs and employment opportunities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other applicable laws. To request a reasonable accommodation due to a disability, please contact Katie Barnes, ADA coordinator, at ADAaccommodation@education.ohio.gov or 614-387-7716 (voice) no later than February 28, 2025.
Additional Resources
Military-Connected Youth Best Practices
Do you have an idea, event, or best practice that you use to support military-connected youth or enhance your Purple Star program? If so, consider completing the Military-Connected Youth Best Practices form to have your story shared in this newsletter. You can submit a picture to accompany your submission. Any forms or documents should be shared using a hyperlink, as the newsletter format does not allow file attachments.
Ohio Military Veteran Educators Program
Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children
Important Dates
Feb. 28: Purple Star remediation responses due
March 11: Military Signing Day
April: 2025 Purple Star Awards announced
April: Month of the Military Child
Military and English Learner Education Consultant
Office of Whole Child Supports
25 South Front St., 3rd Floor
Toll-free: 877.644.6338 D: 614.466.4109
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