Oak Harbor Public Schools was recently acknowledged for its support of students and families connected with the military.

The Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction and the Washington Association of School Administrators presented the school its very first Purple Star Award on April 15, which is recognized as the National Day of the Military Child, according to Naval Air Station Whidbey Island School Liaison Jaime Thompson.

This is in fact the first year schools are receiving this recognition, as the award was established in 2023.

Currently, Thompson wrote in an email to the Whidbey News-Times, military children make up about 39% of the student population.

Children from Navy families change schools about six to nine times throughout elementary and middle school.

As they move to new locations, Navy children may learn new languages and cultures and bring a different perspective to their new schools. They also bring a strong sense of community that can have a positive influence on the school’s culture, according to Thompson.

This lifestyle also comes with some challenges.

This can make it difficult for children to integrate and connect with their peers each time they start over, which can lead to social and emotional challenges.

Furthermore, every school can have a different culture, as well as different standards and requirements. Because of this, families might need support with enrolling their children when they transition, Thompson wrote.

Some of the schools in the district, Thompson wrote, provide Military and Family Life counselors. Students with ties to the military can also rely on the Anchored4Life Clubs at Oak Harbor Elementary and Crescent Harbor Elementary.

These clubs are peer-to-peer groups that support both military and civilian students, Thompson wrote. Students in third and fourth grade lead the team, making decisions such as choosing their yearly community service project, and giving kits to new children who have just transitioned or those whose parents are deployed.

Due to the presence of the base, the school receives financial support from Federal Impact Aid, which supports all students enrolled in the district.

The construction of two new school buildings, which will house Crescent Harbor Elementary, Hand-in-Hand and Home Connection, is supported by the Public Schools on Military Installations grant, which covers 80% of construction costs.

Many members of the Navy also volunteer in the schools by hosting PTA events and fundraisers.