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House of Representatives
Session of 2021 - 2022 Regular Session

MEMORANDUM

Posted:	August 17, 2021 04:14 PM
From:	Representative Karen Boback
To:	All House members
Subject:	Purple Star School Program

I will be introducing a bill to establish a Purple Star School Program in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania that will recognize schools that provide strong services for educational transition issues of military families.   The average military-connected child will experience six to nine different schools during their K-12 education. Contending with frequent moves, new schools, deployments, and separations, these children carry a unique weight. The Purple Star designation signals that a school supports the social and emotional well-being of military children who are adjusting to new schools.   Under the program, schools will be designated as Purple Star campuses if they demonstrate military-friendly practices and meet certain requirements such as: having a military liaison staff member; a webpage on the school’s website that includes resources for military students and families; and, professional development training opportunities for staff members on issues relating to military students.   Please join me in supporting this important effort which lets our state’s service members know that a school is dedicated to responding to the challenges their children face during transitions to a new community.   Our goal should be to welcome these students and ensure that they gain the educational skills necessary to be life-, workforce-, and college-ready and to celebrate the diversity of experiences that they and their families bring to schools.

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