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Military-Connected Youth April Bulletin

Ohio Department of Education and Workforce sent this bulletin at 04/04/2025 06:00 AM EDT

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04/04/2025

Ohio Department of Education and Workforce - Email bulletin

Military-Connected Youth April Bulletin

Dear Military Family Liaisons,

In 1986, the United States Department of Defense designated April as the Month of the Military Child to increase public knowledge and understanding of the unique challenges faced by children of military families. This April, Ohio joins schools across the state and nation in honoring military members and families for their sacrifices —particularly focusing on military children currently navigating their K-12 careers.  

The announcement of the Purple Star Class of 2025 is part of Ohio’s participation in the national celebration of the Month of the Military Child. Awardees will be announced on April 15.

Photo showing group sharing Month of the Military Child proclamation

Tammy Puff (left), Director of Military and Veteran Relations, shares Governor DeWine's proclamation of April as the Month of the Military Child. The proclamation was shared with School Liaison Shatila Smith and Colonel Brazel, the 88th Air Base Wing Mission Support Group Commander at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.

Celebrating the Month of the Military Child

Below are some ideas about ways educators can support and promote this cause:  

Access the Month of the Military Child toolkit from the Military Child Education Coalition, 
Participate in the United Service Organization (USO)’s Military Kids Creative Showcase this month,   
Review this list of celebration ideas from the Military Interstate Children’s Compact Commission,   
Paint the town purple by displaying purple lights or signs in support of the Month of the Military Child,
Take part in the Ohio Council of the Military Interstate Children’s Compact Commission’s statewide Military Family Spirit Week April 14-18. Please share pictures of your spirit week using #PurpleUpOhio. Below is a list of activities:
- April 14: Red, White, and Blue Day;
- April 15: Statewide Purple Up! Day;
- April 16: Support Your Favorite Military Branch Day;
- April 17: Camouflage Day; and
- April 18: R.E.D. (Remember Everyone Deployed) Friday-wear Red.

Open Enrollment Options for Active Duty Families

Effective April 9, 2025, Ohio law requires that all public school districts, regardless of their open enrollment policy, accept students for open enrollment if their parent or guardian is an active military member stationed in Ohio. If the student's parent or guardian is discharged or released from active duty and the enrolling district has an open enrollment policy for students from adjacent districts, the student may remain enrolled in the district for the remainder of the school year.

Janet Wynn Memorial Award 

The Janet Wynn Memorial Award is presented annually to an Ohio military family or school-aged youth that has displayed exceptional perseverance, grit, and determination throughout a permanent change of station (PCS) move, a transition between school districts, or had a close family member who experienced a deployment. The award is open to families and youth connected to a service member who is on active duty, in the reserves, or in the National Guard, or a Gold Star student in grades Pre-K through 12^th grade. Applications are due by May 15.

The award is presented by the Ohio Council of the Military Interstate Children’s Compact Commission and is named in honor of Janet Wynn who was a mother, wife, educator, Ohio MIC3 Council member, and a School Liaison Officer who served the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base community. 

Military Children Mental Health Professional Development

The Center for Professional Development Psychology at the Uniformed Services University is hosting a webinar on Deployment, military stress, and military children's well-being. The webinar is free and will take place on April 22 from 12:00-1:30 p.m.

Do NASA Science LIVE!

All hands on deck for a special virtual event for service members, veterans, and their families. Do NASA Science LIVE! explores ways we can help NASA-funded scientists explore Earth's ocean floors and the furthest point in the universe and everything in between. Join NASA on April 10 at 12:30 p.m. as they aim to engage in one million acts of science in April.

Local Signing Day Materials

The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce hosted Military Signing Day on March 11 to honor high school students from across the state who committed to serving in the United States Military. To support communities in recognizing these students locally, the Military Signing Day webpage now offers materials schools can use to host their own military signing events.

Ohio Purple Star Summit

Registration is now open for the Ohio Purple Star Summit. The Summit brings together educators and supporters of military-connected students to provide professional development about ways schools can identify, celebrate, and support Ohio’s military families. Those interested in presenting at this year’s Summit should submit a Presentation Proposal Form. The deadline for proposals and registration is May 9.

This event will take place on June 18, 2025, at Big Walnut High School. Big Walnut High School is located in Sunbury, near Interstate 71 just north of Columbus. Lunch is provided.

Purple Star Updates

In the spring of 2024, the Purple Star Advisory Board updated the Purple Star renewal requirements to include the expectation that schools demonstrate how they engage and support military-connected students. While this is optional for the initial application, it will be required for renewals starting in the 2025-2026 school year.

Schools can fulfill this requirement by engaging and supporting students with connections to current service members, veterans, or Gold Star families. For examples of how to meet Purple Star requirements, visit the Military Family Liaison webpage.

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

The Ohio Military Veteran Educators Program (OhioMVEP) assists service members, military veterans, and their spouses with starting a career in an Ohio school. Contact Ohiomvep@education.ohio.gov with any questions.

Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children 

The Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children is a set of state laws in all 50 states that lowers barriers to education and eases the transition of military-connected students. MIC3Training.net offers access to on-demand training on the Compact. Live Compact 101 webinar trainings are available every month online and are free.