Three Delaware schools have earned the Purple Star School designation, recognizing them for their commitment to supporting the unique educational and social-emotional needs of military-connected children.

The 2024 recipients are Caesar Rodney School District’s Caesar Rodney High School and Dover Air Force Base Middle School and First State Military Academy charter school. The three schools were honored today as Governor John Carney and Lt. Governor Bethany Hall-Long signed a proclamation recognizing April as the Month of the Military Child. The Month of the Military Child is a national recognition of the sacrifices military-connected children make so their families can serve our country.

“We owe military families a debt of gratitude we can never repay,” said Governor Carney. “I was proud to join Delaware’s three Purple Star schools to recognize their outstanding support of their military-connected students.”

Secretary of Education Mark Holodick said, “Military members’ children often face unique challenges because of their family members’ service. Their parents or caregivers may deploy overseas and/or they may transition schools frequently as their families’ military stations change. I commend our schools for recognizing these unique needs and providing the extra supports these students need.”

For example, the designation requires schools to have an active peer transition program. Both Dover Air Force Base Middle School and Caesar Rodney High School meet this requirement by implementing the Anchored4Life program. While this program looks slightly different at the varying grade levels, its primary focus remains the same. The peer-to-peer club helps youth cope with transitions and changes, such as moving to a new school, dealing with family challenges, or overcoming academic barriers. The club aims to teach and reinforce life skills, provide growing opportunities, and build confident leaders who inspire others.

At First State Military Academy, a peer transition team reaches out to new military-connected youth when they arrive at the school. A student connects with the new cadet and matches the cadet with buddies who give the new student a tour of the campus and make sure the cadet has a connection in each class. One student who transferred mid-year said the student buddies helped him feel more comfortable: “It is easier to talk to kids your age or around your age.”

To be designated as a Purple Star School, the school must designate a staff member to serve as a military liaison to: identify military-connected youth, serve as a contact between the school and their families, determine appropriate school services for the children and help coordinate school programs relevant to military-connected youth. In addition to participating in training on how to support the military-connected families with the specific challenges they face, the liaison also must conduct school-wide professional development to inform all staff of the unique needs of military-connected students and available resources.

Delaware Purple Star Schools also must have designated web pages with resources and information relevant to military-connected families and establish a transition program for youth. The school also must show support for military-connected children and their families through a recognition event or other support programs.

Delaware’s Purple Star designation is valid for three years.

 

Media contact: Alison May, alison.may@doe.k12.de.us, 302-735-4006

Major George S. Welch Elementary School in the Caesar Rodney School District is Delaware’s first Purple Star School, recognized for its commitment to supporting the unique educational and social-emotional needs of military-connected children.

 

“Military-connected children often face challenges, from parent and caregiver deployment to frequent school transitions as their families’ military stations change,” Governor John Carney said. “The Welch school community has prioritized providing the extra supports these students need and should be proud to be named Delaware’s first Purple Star School.”

 

April is Month of the Military Child, a national recognition of the sacrifices military-connected children make so their families can serve our country.

“Taking care of military children is integral to caring for the Dover family,” said Col. Matt Husemann, 436^th Airlift Wing commander. “Welch Elementary and the Caesar Rodney School District are awesome, and we are thankful for all they do for the Dover AFB family. Being named a Purple Star School further demonstrates the dedication of the amazing faculty and staff as they provide an outstanding education in harmony with supporting military families’ unique situations.”

 

Last year the Delaware General Assembly passed Senate Bill 117 to create the Purple Star School recognition, joining the National Purple Star Schools Program.  To be designated a Purple Star School, a district or charter school must designate a staff member as a military liaison to: identify military-connected youth, serve as a contact between the school and their families, determine appropriate school services for the children and help coordinate school programs relevant to military-connected youth. In addition to participating in training on how to support the military-connected families with the specific challenges they face, the liaison also must conduct school-wide professional development to inform all staff of the unique needs of military-connected students and available resources.

 

Delaware Purple Star Schools also must have designated web pages with resources and information relevant to military-connected families and establish a transition program for youth. The school also must show support for military-connected children and their families through a recognition event or support programs.

 

“Military-connected children often move every two to three years, which can cause disruptions to their education as well as their social and emotional well-being. Our goal is to make Delaware as supportive a home as possible for these children and their families while they are in the First State,” Secretary of Education Mark Holodick said. “Welch is our first Purple Star School, but I hope every school in our state will follow its example and provide such strong supports to their own military-connected families.”

  

Delaware’s Purple Star designation is valid for three years.

 

“The Caesar Rodney School District is proud to have so many military-connected children in our community,” Superintendent Christine Alois said. “These students and their families sacrifice much for our nation, and we are honored to serve them.”

Media contact: Alison May, alison.may@doe.k12.de.us, 302-735-4006