Military-Connected Youth April Bulletin
Dear Military Family Liaisons,
This April, Ohio joins schools across the state and nation in celebrating the Month of the Military Child. Military-connected students are born into military life and face challenges and enjoy triumphs as they grow up.
Schools can honor military-connected students by participating in the United Service Organization’s Military Kids Creative Showcase and the Ohio Council of the Military Interstate Children’s Compact Commission’s Military Family Spirit Week through April 17. Please share pictures of your spirit week using #PurpleUpOhio.
The Military Child Education Coalition and the Military Interstate Children’s Compact Commission offer additional resources.
Purple Star Class of 2026
2026 Purple Star award recipients will be announced later this month; a specific date has yet to be determined. The Department will send award notifications via email to the superintendent, principal, and military family liaison.
Absences for Deployment-Related Activities
Ohio law allows superintendents to grant additional excused absences for students to attend deployment activities. To qualify, the student’s parent or legal guardian must be on active duty and deployed to a combat zone or combat support posting. This includes reservists and members of the National Guard on Title 10 orders. The student is eligible for additional excused absences from one month prior to the service members’ departure through six months after returning.
Classroom Resources for Military-Connected Students
The Kids Mental Health Foundation recently published a resource for teachers to help build connections and a sense of belonging for military-connected students. The resource consists of five activities and supports students in grades PreK-12.
2026 Ohio Veterans Convention
The Ohio Department of Veterans Services will host the 2026 Ohio Veterans Convention on Aug. 8.
The Convention is designed to educate, empower, celebrate, and connect Ohio’s veteran community, focusing on practical solutions and collaboration. Topics will include benefits, crisis support, education, and workforce development.
Janet Wynn Memorial Award
Applications for the Janet Wynn Memorial Award are due May 15. The award is presented annually to an Ohio military family or school-aged youth that has displayed exceptional perseverance throughout a transition between schools or had a close family member who experienced a deployment overseas or stateside. The award is presented by the Ohio MIC3 Council.
Learning Management System Migration
In May, training delivered by the Department will migrate from the current learning management system to Ohio Learn. This process will impact existing courses, transcripts, and deadlines, including the Military Children in Ohio’s Schools course.
Courses will be available on the new platform starting May 11. Any courses currently in-progress must be completed prior to May 7; partially completed work will be lost during the transition and would need to be restarted using the new system.
Local Signing Day Materials
The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce hosted Military Signing Day on March 10 to honor high school students from across the state who committed to serving in the United States Military.
The Department’s Military Signing Day webpage includes materials schools can use to host their own military signing events.
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 Services 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.
Important Dates
If you or someone you know would like to be featured in this newsletter, submit this form. If you have any questions, contact Jason Scragg at PurpleStar@education.ohio.gov.
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