Military-Connected Youth March Bulletin
Dear Military Family Liaisons,
Military-connected children often carry quiet stress into classrooms, practices, and activities. Educators may not always know whether a student’s family is directly affected, which makes maintaining open lines of communication with military families especially important.
Adults can build strong relationships with military-connected students to provide support during challenging times, check-in with students, and build routines.
Below are resources for schools and families:
Purple Star Program Highlight: Mad River Middle School, Mad River Local Schools
Bernie Gearon is a school counselor at Mad River Middle School, where he brings both professional expertise and personal experience to his work supporting military-connected students and families. In addition to his role as a school counselor, Bernie is a Marine veteran who deployed and served as a liaison to Marine families connected with Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. His experiences as both a veteran and counselor give him a unique perspective on the phases of the deployment cycle and help him better serve military families.
Each school year, Mad River Middle School hosts a variety of events for military-connected students and their families. These include:
- Military Family Open House
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September 11 Commemoration
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Military Lunch Bunches
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Donuts with the Military each spring
This May, the school is also planning a trip to a Dayton Dragons baseball game. Relationships with community partners help offset the cost for these events. Contact Bernie at bernie.gearon@madriverschools.org with any questions about the program.
Ohio Military-Connected Community Assessment
The Ohio Department of Veteran Services (ODVS), in partnership with The Ohio State University and Ohio veteran researchers, is seeking military-connected community members who reside in Ohio to participate in the 2026 Ohio Military-Connected Community Assessment to help improve services for Ohio's military community.
Your feedback is valuable and your perspectives and experiences will be used to help improve services and support for Ohio's military-connected community members. For questions about the survey, please contact the OSU Research Lead at hibler.10@osu.edu.
Month of the Military Child Art and Photo Contest
Wright-Patterson Air Force Base is hosting an art and photo contest in celebration of the Month of the Military Child. The contest is open to youth ages 6-17, who may submit two-dimensional artwork, three-dimensional artwork, or photography. The contest is open for submissions through April 3. Prizes will be awarded to the top three winners in each category.
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 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
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
Additional Resources for Liaisons
Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children
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.
Important Dates
April: Month of the Military Child
April: Purple Star Awards announced
April 13-17: Ohio Military Family Spirit Week
For more information, visit the Department’s Purple Star School and Military Family Liaison webpages. If you have any questions, contact Jason Scragg at PurpleStar@education.ohio.gov.
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