A dozen schools in Mahoning and Trumbull counties have been named Purple Star schools by the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce, with two Canfield schools renewing their status and 10 gaining new status.

Renewing their status are Canfield High School and Canfield Village Middle School. Newly named Purple Star schools are Lakeview High School, Mineral Ridge High School, Niles Primary, Niles Intermediate, Niles Middle and Niles McKinley High schools, B.L. Miller Elementary in Sebring, Southington Elementary School, South Range Elementary School and West Branch Middle School.

The Purple Star Award recognizes schools that show a major commitment to students and families connected to our nation’s military. Schools that earned the award will receive a Purple Star digital certificate and award letter.

A school will be honored with the Purple Star Award if it completes all the required activities listed below plus one optional activity. The Purple Star Advisory Board helps decide a school’s eligibility for the award.

Required activities include:

• Having a Military Family Liaison — The school lists a point of contact for military students and families. This should be a building-level staff member. District staff and/or community members can be listed as additional liaisons.

• ​Professional Development — The liaison completes professional development on special considerations for military students and families.

• Military Student Identification — All public schools are required to identify students with a parent or guardian serving in the military. Purple Star schools are required to share how they identify military-connected students and report the number of students with a parent or guardian serving on active duty, in the National Guard, or the reserves. The military family liaison is responsible for sharing this information with teachers and staff in their building.

• Website — The school maintains a dedicated page on its website that features resources for military families and lists the military family liaison’s contact information.

Optional activities include:

• The military family liaison provides schoolwide professional development on special considerations for military students and families.

• The school hosts a military recognition event that demonstrates a supportive culture. The hosting of a military recognition event is in addition to Veterans Day celebrations for this activity. Hosting a Veterans Day celebration on its own does not meet this requirement.

• The school has processes in place to identify students with parents or guardians who are veterans, siblings in the military, and/or Gold Star families. Schools also need to host an event for veterans or include veterans, sibling-connected students, or Gold Star students in programs similar to those offered to students from families serving in the military. Veterans Day celebrations can be included as part of this activity.

• Connections and Gold Star students should be maintained locally and not reported in EMIS.

• The school celebrates the Month of the Military Child (April) with events or programming honoring military-connected students. Month of the Military Child events need to be completed prior to applying for the award.

• The school directly engages and supports military-connected students. Examples of these programs include a monthly club for military-connected students, lunch groups, and regular check-ins between the liaison and identified students.

• The school implements a peer-to-peer transition program that trains student ambassadors to provide tours and engage in activities with all students that are transitioning in or out of the school or when a service member deploys.

The award designation is valid for three years, after which schools can opt to submit a renewal application.

“What an honor it is for all four of our school buildings to receive this special recognition,” said Niles City Schools Superintendent Ann Marie Thigpen. “We recognize the unique challenges faced by children of active-duty service members, veterans and reservists. We deeply value their service and sacrifice and are committed to providing a welcoming, supportive environment throughout their educational journey in Niles City Schools.”

Throughout the year, Niles City Schools honor military service and support military-connected families through a variety of programs and events, including:

• Veterans Day breakfast events.

• Military recognition nights at athletic events.

• Guest speakers with military experience.

• Classroom lessons and student-led assemblies highlighting military history, traditions and service.

• “Thank you” letters sent to service members and veterans.

• Student volunteers placing flags and wreaths on veterans’ graves at Niles Union Cemetery.

• Performances by the McKinley High School marching band at military events.

“We are honored to receive this recognition from the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce,” said Weathersfield Local School District Superintendent Damon Dohar. “Military families give so much in service to our country, and we are proud to support them and their children during their time in our district. Creating a welcoming environment for every family is something we value deeply.”

Weathersfield District Military Liaison Stephen Boyle said, “We understand the unique challenges military families face and are committed to providing the services and resources needed to help every child succeed. Our goal is to ensure each family feels welcomed, supported, and at home in our schools.”

Throughout the year, the district honors military service and supports military-connected families through several programs and events, including:

• Veterans Day Breakfast hosted by the Mineral Ridge High School History Club.

• Military recognition nights at athletic events.

• Classroom lessons highlighting military history, traditions and service.

Mineral Ridge High School has five military connected students, Dohar said.