Military-Connected Youth August Bulletin
Dear Military Family Liaisons,
Welcome back! We’re excited to kick off the 2025-2026 school year! This month’s newsletter contains reminders, information, and resources to assist you in supporting military families. Here are some items to check on as you start the year:
- Ensure that your district’s military family resources webpage is current and includes accurate contact information for the Military Family Liaison.
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Send updated contact information to purplestar@education.ohio.gov if your Military Family Liaison or principal has changed since last school year.
- Touch base with your current military families.
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Work with the district enrollment office to receive updated information on newly enrolled military families at your school.
Purple Star Summit
Thank you to everyone that attended this year’s Ohio Purple Star Summit. More than 130 educators and stakeholders gathered on June 18 at Big Walnut High School for a day of learning, connection, and collaboration. Some highlights include:
- An overview of the School Liaison Program,
- Remarks from the 2025 Ohio Teacher of the Year, and
- A visit to the Ohio Fallen Heroes Memorial.
Attendees also had the opportunity to network, share best practices, and hear from the liaisons at Dublin Scioto High School, Beavercreek City Schools, and Anthony Wayne Junior High School about the Purple Star programs at their schools.
2025-2026 Purple Star Application Window
Applications for the Class of 2026 (both new and renewal schools) will open on November 1, 2025. All schools awarded in 2023 are required to apply for renewal this fall. Renewal schools will receive a notice later this month, and 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, 2025. Awardees will be announced in April 2026.
Advisory Board Update
The Purple Star Advisory Board would like to welcome its newest member, Michael Farrell. Mr. Farrell serves as both the principal and Military Family Liaison at Marlington High School and has connections to the military. Marlington High School has been a Purple Star school since 2018.
2025 Military Family Readiness Academy
Over a six-week period, OneOp will host the Military Family Readiness Academy, a virtual professional development series designed to equip educators with practical skills to support positive military youth development. Continuing education credits and certificates of attendance are available, and these sessions can also meet professional development requirements for Purple Star Award renewal. Participants must register for each session separately. All sessions take place from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Purple Star Roundtables
On August 6 at 1:00 p.m., educators will have an opportunity to network and learn best practices for serving military-connected students during the Virtual Purple Star Roundtable.
Many military-connected students who graduate in Ohio go on to attend a Collegiate Purple Star college or university. This year’s Roundtable will feature a networking opportunity for Collegiate and PreK-12 Purple Star schools to explore potential partnership opportunities.
Ohio Military Kids Events
Ohio Military Kids provides positive development experiences for youth whose parents are deployed in military service, as well as opportunities for military-connected youth to connect, learn, and have fun. Below is a list of events for this fall and winter:
- September 12-14: Youth and Teen Resilience Weekend #1 at Kelleys Island
- September 26-28: Youth and Teen Resilience Weekend #2 in Central Ohio
- October 17-19: Youth and Teen Resilience Weekend #3 in Central Ohio
- December 13: Winter Wonderland in Central Ohio
Check the OMK website for more information and event registration. Contact omk@osu.edu with any questions.
Ohio Veterans Art Exhibition
The Ohio Department of Veterans Services, through its ongoing partnership with the Ohio Arts Council, is pleased to present the 2025 Ohio Veterans Art Exhibition, which will be on display in downtown Columbus later this year.
Ohio’s active duty and veteran artists are invited to showcase their artistic talents for this wide-ranging and public event, which will be viewable in the first-floor lobby of the Vern Riffe Center for Government and the Arts. Visit the Veteran Art Exhibition webpage for submission information. Entries are due by August 31.
Additional Resources
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.
Important Dates
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Aug. 6: Virtual Purple Star Roundtable
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Aug. 31: Veteran Art Exhibition Deadline
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Oct. 28: Purple Star USA National Convening
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Nov. 1: Purple Star application window opens
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Dec. 15: Purple Star application window closes
For more information, visit the Department’s Purple Star School and Military Family Liaison webpages. If you have any questions, contact PurpleStar@education.ohio.gov.
Jason Scragg
Military and English Learner Education Consultant
Office of Whole Child Supports
25 South Front St., 3rd Floor
Columbus, OH 43215
Toll-free: 877.644.6338 D: 614.466.4109
Jason.Scragg@education.ohio.gov
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