Module 3 Topic 2

An Arizona Purple Star School does more than recognize military-connected students. It builds a coordinated system that helps students and families feel welcomed, informed, connected, and supported throughout the school year.

In this topic, you will examine the required components of the Arizona Purple Star School designation and consider how each requirement can become part of everyday school practice.

Key Idea

The requirements are not separate boxes to check. Together, they create a schoolwide system of support.

What Schools Must Put in Place

Public, charter, and private schools may apply for Arizona Purple Star School designation. The application documents how the school has implemented the required people, practices, training, resources, activities, and partnerships.

Complete the AZPSS Application

The school submits the Arizona Department of Education's AZPSS application and provides the requested information or evidence showing that designation requirements have been met.

Implementation evidence: Documented in person staff training, a completed application, required assurances, supporting documentation, and administrative approval.

Designate a School Point of Contact

The school designates an employee to serve as the primary AZPSS Point of Contact. This person may be a counselor, administrator, teacher, or other support professional. A veteran, military spouse, or employee with relevant military-family experience may be especially well prepared for the role.

The Point of Contact coordinates the program but does not carry out every activity alone. Sustainable implementation depends on shared leadership and a supporting school team.

Implementation evidence: The Point of Contact's name, role, contact information, training completion, and a description of program responsibilities.

Provide Professional Development

At least 70% of school staff, including administration, must receive professional development addressing the needs of highly mobile military-connected students.

The school's initial professional development must be conducted in person.
Training for newly hired employees and annual continuing education may be delivered virtually or electronically.
The Point of Contact completes the AZPSS professional development provided by the Arizona Department of Education.
All training connected to the program must remain politically neutral.

Implementation evidence: Training agenda, date, facilitator, sign-in records, staff roster, percentage calculation, presentation materials, and certificates when applicable.

Establish a Student-Led Peer Mentorship Program

The school establishes a peer mentorship program that helps transitioning military-connected students connect with their new campus and school community.

School administrators select students to serve as mentors.
The Point of Contact provides appropriate training, expectations, and ongoing support.
Mentors help new students understand routines, locations, activities, and opportunities to connect.
The program protects student privacy and uses developmentally appropriate practices.

Implementation evidence: Mentor selection process, training materials, roster or participation totals, program description, and examples of welcome or transition activities.

Conduct an Annual Military-Focused Event

The school conducts at least one patriotic or military-focused event each school year. The event must be politically neutral and accomplish both of the following:

Recognize service. Honor the service and commitment of military members and their families.
Educate attendees. Build understanding of military service in the United States and in Arizona.

Possible events include Veterans Day programs, Month of the Military Family activities in November, military branch birthday observances, Purple Up activities during April's Month of the Military Child, military appreciation events, guest speakers, service projects, or military recognition during school events.

Important: Recognition and Education

A celebration alone may not demonstrate the full requirement. Plan an event that intentionally includes both recognition and an educational component. Record the event date and retain a brief description for annual reporting.

Implementation evidence: Event date, agenda, announcement, lesson or educational component, photographs when permitted, attendance information, and a short event summary. The event date and brief description are included in the AZPSS Annual Report, due by June 30 each school year.

Maintain an AZPSS Webpage or Website Section

The school creates an AZPSS webpage or adds a dedicated AZPSS section to its existing website. Information should be reviewed and updated as needed and at least once during each school year.

The page should make support easy for a newly arriving family to find. Include:

The AZPSS Point of Contact's name and contact information.
Military-family and transition resources, including MIC3, Military OneSource, the Arizona Coalition for Military Families, and AZPSS.
Information about the school's peer mentorship program and how students participate.
Information about military-focused activities, assemblies, and events.
Other school or community resources that support military-connected students and families.

Implementation evidence: A working webpage URL, screenshots, the date of the annual review, and a simple process for keeping information current.

Build Military and Community Partnerships

The school builds relationships with Arizona military installations, Department of Defense personnel, School Liaisons, military families, and community organizations. These partnerships can support student transitions, family engagement, staff learning, volunteer opportunities, and school events.

Implementation evidence: Partner contact list, meeting notes, correspondence, event participation, volunteer activities, referral procedures, or a description of the partnership's contribution.

Turning Requirements into School Practice

The strongest Purple Star programs connect each requirement to an existing school system instead of treating it as an isolated project.

Build a School Team

Include an administrator, counselor or social worker, registrar, teacher, student mentor representative, family-engagement staff member, and other personnel whose roles support transitions.

Use the School Calendar

Schedule staff learning, mentor training, webpage reviews, military-focused activities, data checks, and reporting deadlines before the school year becomes crowded.

Create Shared Procedures

Document how military-connected students are identified, referred to the Point of Contact, welcomed, connected with mentors, and offered appropriate resources.

Save Evidence as You Go

Maintain one organized digital folder for training records, mentor materials, event documentation, webpage updates, partnerships, participation totals, and annual reporting information.

POC Readiness Check

What Is Already in Place?

Our school has formally identified its AZPSS Point of Contact.
Our Point of Contact has completed the required ADE training.
We have a plan to train at least 70% of staff, including administration.
Our student-led peer mentorship program has a selection, training, and support process.
Our annual event includes both military-family recognition and education about military service.
Our school website provides current AZPSS contacts, resources, and program information.
We maintain active relationships with School Liaisons, military personnel, families, or community partners.
We have assigned responsibility for collecting evidence and completing annual reporting.

Identify one item your school can strengthen immediately and one item that requires a longer-term plan.

Think and Apply

Consider Your School

Which requirement is already embedded in your school's normal operations?
Which requirement currently depends too heavily on one person?
Who should be invited to join your school's Purple Star team?
What annual military-focused event would be meaningful, educational, age-appropriate, and politically neutral for your school community?
What evidence will you begin collecting now rather than waiting until the application or annual report is due?

Key Takeaway

Requirements Become Culture Through Consistency

A sustainable Purple Star program assigns responsibility, builds shared procedures, documents the work, and keeps support visible throughout the year.

Next, you will examine how accurate identification and data collection help schools understand the military-connected students they serve, improve support, and complete program reporting.