Military-Connected Youth February Bulletin
Dear Military Family Liaisons,
On Tuesday, March 10, the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce will host Military Signing Day for Ohio's 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:
- Will attend a service academy in the fall;
- Accepted a Reserve Officer Training Corp (ROTC) scholarship; or
- Enlisted for service as active duty, reserve, or National Guard.
Each student will receive a certificate and a cord to wear at graduation.
This year’s celebration will take place at the National Veterans Memorial and Museum, 300 W. Broad Street, Columbus. 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 27, or earlier if seating is full. Registration and parking are free.
Ohio Military Signing Day will feature Ohio-based speakers who are leaders in the military, education, and workforce development fields. This year’s event will also feature a student speaker who will share their reasons for serving. Those interested in speaking should submit a copy of their remarks (no more than five minutes in length) with a biography noting the high school of attendance and branch of service to PurpleStar@education.ohio.gov by Feb. 23. The speaker will be notified of their selection via email.
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 March 2, 2026. Requests submitted less than 72 hours before the meeting/event may not be able to be accommodated, though DEW will make every effort to provide accommodations if possible.
Purple Star Program Highlight - Medina County Career Center
 MCCC students at a Wreaths Across America Event at the Ohio Statehouse.
Patrick Shaughnessy and Darlene Carett volunteer as Military Family Liaisons at the Medina County Career Center, where they work to ensure their Purple Star program reflects the U.S. Military’s values of volunteerism and selflessness. Their mission is to provide seamless support and transition assistance by creating a welcoming and stable school environment for military-connected students. They accomplish this by developing meaningful relationships with their students and community leaders.
The Medina County Career Center hosts a variety of events and activities to support their military-connected students, including:
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Monthly breakfasts, which foster consistent, meaningful connections and provide students with a space to share experiences and feel valued within the school community;
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Spirit weeks that offer visible, schoolwide recognition of military service and sacrifice, reinforcing that military-connected students are seen, honored, and supported;
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Service-focused events, such as wreath-laying and headstone cleaning at Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery in partnership with Wreaths Across America, which connect students to military service while promoting experiential learning and civic responsibility; and
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Family support initiatives, including free lunches, Thanksgiving dinners during shutdowns, and military commitment signing days, that ensure supports for students’ academic goals and overall well-being.
Those with questions about Medina County Career Center’s Purple Star program can contact Patrick at pshaughnessy@mcjvs.edu and Darlene at dcavett@mcjvs.edu.
If you or another school would like to be featured in this newsletter, submit this form.
Military Educator Workshop
Each branch of the U.S. military has its own distinct traditions and culture, which shape the experiences of service members and their families. To help educators understand military life better and support military-connected students, service branches host educator workshops that provide professional development to high school personnel. These workshops are open to teachers, school counselors, administrators, and district staff.
The U.S. Marine Corps will host its 2026 educator workshop May 12-15 at Parris Island, South Carolina. Selected participants will receive complimentary airfare and accommodations. Visit the Marine Corps’ Educators Workshop webpage for more information and to download the application. Send completed applications to Corporal Hunter Jones or Captain Harvey Nguyen.
Those interested in attending an educator workshop hosted by different service branches can contact local recruiters for information.
Looking Ahead: Month of the Military Child
April marks the Month of the Military Child. During that time, we celebrate the 1.6 million children who experience unique challenges due to their parent’s service in the U.S. Military. Below is a list of resources that can assist in planning your school’s celebrations:
Ohio Military Family Spirit Week
Schools can also celebrate the Month of the Military Child by participating in Ohio Military Family Spirit Week from April 13-17. The spirit week is coordinated by the Ohio Council of the Military Interstate Children’s Compact Commission. Schools may adjust when they celebrate spirit week to align with scheduling needs, including spring break or testing. Please include #PurpleUpOhio with any spirit week pictures shared on social media.
Family Resources
Wright-Patterson AFB School Liaison Office
The School Liaison Office is the central point of contact for commanders, military families, and local school systems on school-related matters for grades K-12. School Liaison services are open to all military families in Ohio.
United Service Organization
The United Service Organization (USO) has three locations in Ohio and hosts events for military families across the state.
Blue Star Families of Dayton and Southwestern Ohio
Blue Star Families has a chapter that serves Dayton and Southwest Ohio. The Ohio chapter hosts events and is committed to strengthening military and veteran families.
Ohio Military Kids
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. Contact omk@osu.edu with any questions.
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.
Additional Resources for Liaisons
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.
Ohio Council of the Military Interstate Children's Compact Commission (MIC3)
The Ohio MIC3 Council assists with the implementation of the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children in Ohio. The council also hosts the Janet Wynn Memorial Award. The award honors an Ohio military family or school-aged youth that has displayed exceptional perseverance, grit, and determination throughout a move or transition between school districts.
Ohio Department of Veterans Services
The Department of Veterans Services provides a printable poster that highlights services for Ohio’s veterans.
Important Dates
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 Education Coordinator
Office of Whole Child Supports
25 South Front St., 2nd Floor
Columbus, OH 43215
Toll-free: 877.644.6338 D: 614.466.4109
Jason.Scragg@education.ohio.gov
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