Strategies for Schools to Enhance Support for Military Children and Families – EdSurge News

**Strategies for Schools to Enhance Support for Military Children and Families**

Military families face unique challenges that can significantly impact the educational experiences of their children. Frequent relocations, parental deployments, and the stress associated with military life can create obstacles to academic success and emotional well-being. Schools play a crucial role in providing stability and support for these students. Here are several strategies that schools can implement to enhance support for military children and families.

### 1. **Establish a Welcoming Environment**

Creating a welcoming environment is essential for helping military children feel accepted and valued. Schools can:

– **Host Welcome Events:** Organize orientation sessions or welcome events specifically for new military families to introduce them to the school community.
– **Buddy Programs:** Pair new military students with peer buddies who can help them navigate the school and make new friends.
– **Military Family Liaisons:** Designate staff members as military family liaisons to provide personalized support and address specific needs.

### 2. **Provide Professional Development for Staff**

Educators and school staff should be equipped with the knowledge and skills to support military-connected students effectively. Professional development can include:

– **Training on Military Culture:** Offer training sessions that cover the unique aspects of military life, including the impact of deployments and relocations on children.
– **Trauma-Informed Practices:** Educate staff on trauma-informed practices to better support students who may be experiencing stress or anxiety related to their family’s military service.
– **Social-Emotional Learning (SEL):** Integrate SEL programs that help all students develop resilience, empathy, and coping skills.

### 3. **Implement Flexible Policies**

Military families often face unpredictable schedules and frequent moves. Schools can adopt flexible policies to accommodate these challenges:

– **Enrollment Flexibility:** Simplify the enrollment process for military families and allow for mid-year transfers without penalty.
– **Credit Transfer Policies:** Ensure that credits earned at previous schools are recognized and transferred smoothly to prevent academic setbacks.
– **Attendance Policies:** Be understanding of absences related to military obligations, such as family reunions or deployment ceremonies.

### 4. **Offer Academic Support**

Academic continuity can be disrupted by frequent relocations. Schools can provide targeted academic support through:

– **Tutoring Programs:** Offer tutoring services to help military children catch up on missed coursework or adjust to new curricula.
– **Individualized Education Plans (IEPs):** Develop IEPs for students with special needs to ensure they receive consistent support across different schools.
– **Advanced Placement (AP) and Dual Enrollment:** Encourage participation in AP courses and dual enrollment programs that can provide college credits, reducing the impact of school transitions.

### 5. **Foster Peer Support Networks**

Peer support is invaluable for military children who may feel isolated or disconnected. Schools can:

– **Military Kids Clubs:** Establish clubs or groups where military-connected students can meet, share experiences, and support each other.
– **Extracurricular Activities:** Encourage participation in sports, arts, and other extracurricular activities to help students build friendships and a sense of belonging.
– **Mentorship Programs:** Create mentorship programs where older students mentor younger military-connected students, providing guidance and support.

### 6. **Engage Families**

Strong family-school partnerships are crucial for supporting military children. Schools can:

– **Regular Communication:** Maintain open lines of communication with military families through newsletters, emails, and parent-teacher conferences.
– **Family Resource Centers:** Set up resource centers that provide information on local services, support groups, and community activities for military families.
– **Parent Workshops:** Offer workshops on topics such as helping children cope with deployment, navigating school transitions, and accessing educational resources.

### 7. **Collaborate with Military Organizations**

Schools can benefit from partnerships with military organizations that offer resources and support for military families:

– **Military Child Education Coalition (MCEC):** Collaborate with MCEC to access training programs, resources, and advocacy efforts focused on military-connected students.
– **School Liaison Officers (SLOs):** Work with SLOs who serve as a bridge between military installations and local schools, helping to address educational challenges faced by military families.
– **Community Partnerships:** Partner with local businesses, non-profits, and community organizations to provide additional support services and opportunities for military families.

### Conclusion

Supporting military children and families requires a comprehensive approach that addresses their unique needs and challenges. By creating a welcoming environment, providing professional development for staff, implementing flexible policies, offering academic support, fostering peer networks, engaging families, and collaborating with military organizations, schools can make a significant positive impact on the lives of military-connected students. These strategies not only enhance educational outcomes but also contribute to the overall well-being of military families, ensuring they feel valued and supported within the school community.

• Source Link: https://zephyrnet.com/how-schools-can-better-support-military-children-and-families-edsurge-news/