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PHS & PJHS earn Military-Friendly School Designation
Perrysburg High School and Perrysburg Junior High School were among 41 schools that were recently announced by the Ohio Department of Education as earning Purple Star designations, which recognizes the schools’ commitment to serving military-connected students and families.

The Purple Star Award for military-friendly schools recognizes schools that show a major commitment to students and families connected to our nation’s military. Schools that earn the award will receive a special Purple Star recognition to display onsite. A school will be honored with the Purple Star Award if it completes all the required activities, plus one optional activity, listed below. The Purple Star Advisory Board, formed by the Ohio Departments of Education, Higher Education, Veterans Services and the Adjutant General, helps decide a school’s eligibility for the award.

Purple Star schools must have a staff point of contact for military students and families who serves as the primary liaison between them and the school. The liaison completes professional development on special considerations for military students and families under federal law. The liaison identifies and informs teachers of the military-connected students in their classrooms and the special considerations military families and students should receive. The school district also maintains a dedicated page on its web site featuring resources for military families.

As Perrysburg High School’s points of contact for military students and families, Lindsey Levans and Rachel Newell, both PHS Mathematics Teachers, assist in facilitating with any transition or support needs during enrollment, parental leave and/or academic questions. They work with counseling staff and can help facilitate necessary conversations with any staff members. The Perrysburg Junior High School point person is Kelly Simenson.

“Perrysburg Schools recognizes that Military-connected families face unique challenges, and we strive to do all we can to help these families,” shared Ms. Newell. “For example, the average Military family moves three times more often than their civilian counterpart. We’re glad to be here to help these families however we can to ensure all students achieve their greatest potential.”