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Utah Department highlights Purple Star Schools program recognizing military-connected students
Summary
Board communications coordinator Kelsey James and Ben Rasmussen, director of law and professional practices, briefed the Utah State Board of Education on the Purple Star Schools awards, which recognize schools that prioritize transitions and support for military families.
Kelsey James, communications coordinator for the Utah State Board of Education, and Ben Rasmussen, director of law and professional practices, updated the board on the Purple Star Schools awards program and the June ceremony that recognized districts and charter schools for support of military families.
James described the June award ceremony at Farmington High School, noting attendance by school leaders, superintendents and military families and presenting photographs of the cohort. “There are a lot of schools who are really putting military families first,” James said.
Why it matters: Rasmussen and other board members said the Purple Star designation acknowledges district and school practices that ease transitions for children of military personnel, a population that frequently changes schools and may need targeted supports. Rasmussen said the program has grown to recognize schools across multiple districts and charter schools, citing Ogden, Davis, Canyons, Jordan and Tooele among those recognized.
Details: Rasmussen described his role with the State Council on Military Children and said the program’s expansion was gratifying. Another board member, speaking from personal experience living near Fort Benning, Georgia, emphasized that military children are resilient but need assistance and continuity from schools. “Changing schools that many times in their young life is really, really, really tough,” the board member said.
No formal board action was taken during the presentation; the agenda item was informational. James agreed to provide a list of recognized schools to all board members after the meeting.
Background: Purple Star Schools is a national/state-level designation used by some states to identify schools that support military families; James and Rasmussen framed the Utah program as a state-level effort coordinated with local districts and charter schools.
Next steps: James will distribute lists of the 2024 recognized schools to board members, and staff will continue outreach to districts and military families to support recognized practices.
