During the week of April 15, Anthony Wayne Local Schools will celebrate the Month of the Military Child with special events and activities to recognize the more than 100 students whose lives are touched by the commitment to serve.
The week begins with the District’s military-connected students and their families being honored at the AWLS Board of Education meeting at 6:00 p.m. on Monday, April 15. The meeting will be held in the Anthony Wayne High School gymnasium to accommodate the more than 40 families who have registered to attend.
Also at the meeting, the high school administration will recognize the accomplishments of AWHS seniors, Austin Wilson and Joseph Masiker who have accepted appointments to the U.S. Naval Academy and Air Force Academy, respectively.
Throughout the week, students are encouraged to participate in various spirit week events and learning activities to raise awareness and show support for their peers who are affected by the unique challenges associated with having an enlisted family member. The week is bookended by encouraging everyone to wear purple on Monday, April 15 for the statewide Purple Up! Day and R.E.D. on Friday, April 19 to remember everyone deployed.
The Anthony Wayne Community is also invited to participate by Painting the Town Purple. Residents and businesses are encouraged to hang purple ribbons, wreaths and other decorations to show their appreciation to service members and their families during the month of April.
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Each of Anthony Wayne’s six school buildings is designated as a Purple Star school for its commitment to supporting military-connected students and their families. Anthony Wayne High School, Fallen Timbers Middle School and Waterville Primary School last week were renewed as Purple Star Schools by the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce.
The District also maintains a close working relationship with the Ohio MIC3 (Military Interstate Children’s Compact Commission), ensuring the seamless education of students affected by interstate relocations due to military reassignment. In fact, Mrs. Christine Young, 7th Grade Social Studies Teacher and Military Families School Liaison at Anthony Wayne Junior High also serves as an Ohio Purple Star Advisory Board Member and Ohio MIC3 Council Member. She, along with Dr. Jamie Hollinger, Waterville Primary School Principal and Mr. Matt Beakas, Waterville Primary Dean of Students, both also Military Families School Liaisons, hosted Ohio MIC3 Commissioner Pete LuPiba and other representatives from across the state to meet with military-connected students and learn about their schools’ Purple Star Generals programs.
About the Month of the Military Child
Each April, the Defense Department celebrates the more than 1.6 million children nationwide who face many challenges and unique experiences as a result of their parents’ or siblings’ military service. More: https://www.defense.gov/Spotlights/Month-of-the-Military-Child/
About the Military Interstate Children’s Compact Commission (MIC3)
Military families move on average every two to three years, impacting children through changing schools and support networks. The MIC3 aims to ease these transitions by helping to ensure that students’ academic progress is not slowed by these frequent relocations and that they have an active support system that understands their unique needs. https://mic3.net/motmc/
About the Ohio Purple Star Designation
Ohio’s Purple Star Advisory Board established a set of important criteria that schools must meet to be considered for a Purple Star designation. Schools who show a major commitment to students and families connected to the nation’s military are eligible to be considered for Purple Star Designation.
About Anthony Wayne Local Schools
Located in close proximity to the 180th Fighter Wing of the Ohio Air National Guard and 93rd Army Reserve, Anthony Wayne Local Schools has more than 100 military-connected students. The District is committed to providing outstanding academic and extracurricular activities that support its mission to empower students to be future ready, and actively supports students whose lives are impacted by a family member’s decision to serve. As such, each of its six schools is designated as a Purple Star School by the state of Ohio for its efforts.