Fredericksburg Parent

24 Fredericksburg Parent and Family • June 2024 When now retired Air Force Colonel Patrick Weir, his wife Carrie, and their two children first moved to Stafford, VA, in July 2020, they felt a significant disconnect from the life they once knew on base. "After living on a base, being surrounded by others who were going through the same type of triumphs and strug- gles, we constantly felt a feeling of a warm, fuzzy hug," Carrie reflects. "It became more and more difficult to wrap our heads around a lifestyle that we had rarely known [now off base]." Military families like the Weirs often face unique chal- lenges when relocating, and the impact those challenges have on their children's lives is no exception, especially when it comes to their education. But there is one remark- able initiative that is transforming the educational experi- ence for military families in Virginia - the Virginia Purple Star Designation program. This distinction, awarded by the Virginia Department of Education since 2018, certifies schools as military-friendly. According to the website, schools receive the Purple Star designation once they meet certain criteria. For instance, all school staff must undergo training to understand the unique challenges and needs of their military-connected students. The schools also must establish partnerships with local military organizations and community resources, as well as offer counseling services, transition support, and academic resources specifically designed to support military-connect- ed students. In addition, schools must aim to keep military families informed and involved in school activities and deci- sions. The Purple Star designation is valid for three years, after which schools must reapply to remain active. The Purple Star Designation: Sandra Osborn, chief communications officer for Stafford County Public Schools, explains that this support is crucial in Stafford County, which is home to several military bases and facilities like Quantico and Dahlgren. "We recognize the challenges that come with being a mili- tary family," says Osborn. "We're giving military children every opportunity that every other student in the school division has." The Purple Star program is an important resource for stu- dents and their families with military ties. Without it, many military families can feel misunderstood, which the Weir family experienced firsthand. "[The] school and community were not versed in a military background," says Carrie. "Trying to become part of a com- munity that lives in a different way is challenging. You try so hard to live each day to the fullest and yet there is always something missing." Her children, Will, 10, and Klarissa, 14, now attend Margaret Brent Elementary School and Mountain View High School, respectively, in Stafford County. Since both schools have received the Virginia Purple Star designation, Carrie notes a significant increase in support from not only the school staff but also the community. "It was as if a light bulb came on…Not only was there just the basic information out there, but also information about social and emotional well-being and how to connect the two," says Carrie. Penny Rowley, school liaison officer at Marine Corps Base Quantico, says the program is a pivotal piece in welcoming and supporting military families during transitions. "[The program] provides military families with welcome packets of information about the school and opportunities available to get involved as well as opportunities to say their farewells upon getting orders to new duty stations before leaving," Rowley says. WRITTEN BY AMANDA DANAHER Supporting Military Families in Education

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