Easing the Transition
Change is hard, especially for military families who face the challenge of relocating to new duty stations frequently. For these families, changing schools and the disruption to their children’s educational journey can be the most daunting aspect of military life. At Fort Smith Public Schools, we recognize these challenges and are committed to easing the transition for military families through our Purple Star Schools programming. By fostering collaboration and building strong relationships, we aim to support and reassure military families as they navigate their educational journey.
The Purple Star School program is designed to support military-connected children as they navigate educational and social-emotional challenges during each transition. This includes children from families with active duty, National Guard, and Reserve members. The program ensures that these students remain on track to be college-, workforce-, and life-ready.
The Arkansas Purple Star School Award honors schools and districts that demonstrate a strong commitment to supporting students and families connected to our nation's armed forces. Reflecting our dedication to serving over 200 military-connected families, Fort Smith Public Schools (FSPS) aimed for Purple Star School designation in 2020. That same school year, all 26 FSPS schools earned this designation, leading to the District's recognition as a Purple Star District.
We couldn’t be prouder of the Fort Smith School District! For all 26 schools to achieve Purple Star status, and to do so quickly, demonstrates the district's deep commitment to serving and supporting military children.
John Kaminar, Arkansas Council for Military Children Chair
Providing Support and Resources
School Military Liaisons are dedicated school employees trained to address the unique needs of military-connected students. They play a vital role in supporting military families by offering access to a network of tailored resources that help families manage challenges such as frequent relocations, navigating enrollment and eligibility, understanding graduation requirements, and coping with the emotional impact of a parent's deployment. By providing specialized support and expertise, School Military Liaisons help ensure that military families experience a smoother and more manageable educational journey.
Arkansas Army National Guard - Soldier and Family Readiness