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Senate Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
Senate of Pennsylvania
Session of 2021 - 2022
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | October 1, 2021 12:55 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Senator Patrick J. Stefano and Sen. Devlin J. Robinson |
| To: | All Senate members |
| Subject: | Purple Star Schools Designation |
| In the near future, we plan to introduce legislation establishing the “Purple Star School Program” in Pennsylvania. The Purple Star School Program is a state-sponsored recognition designed to acknowledge a public or charter school that has committed to supporting the unique educational and social-emotional needs of military-connected students. Specifically, a Purple Star School designation means better ease and consistency in transferring schools so children experience fewer educational gaps and obtain meaningful support when frequently moving to new towns and schools as a military child. In 2018, the General Assembly passed and the Governor signed into law Act 119, which requires schools to provide support services and information to a student when a parent or guardian is deployed for active duty. Our legislation would build upon Act 119 by providing “Purple Star” recognition to schools that show compliance with Act 119 of 2018; maintaining a website that includes resources for military-connected students and their families; designating a staff point of contact for these students; adopting a resolution showing support for them; recognizing the Month of the Military Child or Military Family Month with relevant events hosted by the campus; providing training to school staff to best equip them to support these families; and establishing a partnership with a military installation. Currently, 26 states have a Purple Star School Program. Please join us in sponsoring this important legislation, and contact Nate Silcox of Sen. Stefano’s office, or Allison Dutrey of Sen. Robinson’s office with any questions. |
Introduced as SB1028