Mindy Kelley

Tesha Frederick

Assistant Liaison

Email Tesha Frederick

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Purple Star Information for the Guernsey-Sunrise Webpage:

When you make your decision to join us in beautiful Guernsey, Wyoming please contact our school office at 877-202-1020 to get an enrollment packet that contains all of our information about:

  • Relocation to, enrollment at, registration at, and transferring records to and from the school;

  • Academic planning, course sequences and advanced classes available at the school;

  • Counseling and other support services available for military-connected students enrolled at the campus

Here at Guernsey-Sunrise we have a robust offering of elective courses in not only the core academic areas, but also career technical education and the fine arts arena. We are also able to offer many concurrent and dual enrollment courses through our partnership with Eastern Wyoming College. 

We employ a full-time student support specialist as well as an At-Risk coordinator to help any student enrolled on our campus. We also have a Purple Star School Liaison and Assistant Liaison to help with any needs that arise for our military-connected families.

We are fortunate enough to have a Purple Star Liaison, Mindy Kelly and an Assistant Liaison, Tesha Frederick. Their duties include the following:

  1. Serving as the main point of contact between the school and military-connected students and their families.

  2. Identify and track military-connected students in our school district.

  3. Coordinate support programs including but not limited to academic planning, counseling and mentorship

  4. Assisting in the transition process for our military-connected students

  5. Providing training and professional development for school staff to help them understand the unique challenges faced by military-connected families

These duties will help ensure our military-connected students and families receive the support they need to be successful in our school district. 

Both our liaison and assistant liaison can be contacted at 877-202-1020.

  • In addition to the above, our school Platte County School District # 2- Guernsey-Sunrise Schools is committed to Supporting our Military-Connected Students and Families in a variety of ways: 

    • Our elementary and secondary schools are building support, understanding, and fellowship within our community that benefits all students and families with Veteran’s Day Celebrations, student advisory committees, and exceptional programs that connect students to our school communities. 

    • We have established “student ambassadors” who are selected annually and provide new military families with critical information about their new school community, a platform to make new connections, and an opportunity to gain a sense of belonging. They give our students a friendly connection on their very first day and the following weeks of their arrival. 

    • Being connected to our school community leads to Improved Resiliency, Increased Academic Achievement, Reduced Stress, and Reduced At-Risk Behaviors.

    • Our student ambassador program provides a sense of community for all students, which encourages students to connect with other peers to create an inclusive environment. It also provides those directly involved with the program an opportunity to develop leadership and increase their school engagement. 

    • When new military families enroll in our school, our office team and administration then communicates the contact information of our new families to our Ambassador Team to initiate supports and connections.

Our District Wide Support Facilitator and Certified Purple Star School Liaisons provide continuing connections, communication and support to our military students and families to ensure smooth transitions to our school community.

As mentioned, Platte County School District #2 honors our veterans with a Veterans Day assembly in our school. It is one of the largest gatherings in our school and our community really gets behind our service men and women.

We are so excited to have you join our school family and we look forward to getting to know you!
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For more information about the Wyoming Purple Star Schools Program, visit the Wyoming Department of Education | Military Family Support webpage.

Contact:

Ken Reynolds

IT Supervisor

ken.reynolds@wyo.gov

O: 307-275-4664    

Wyoming Department of Education

122 W. 25th St., Ste. E200, Cheyenne, WY 82002

http://edu.wyoming.gov/

RESOURCES FOR MILITARY FAMILIES:

(Disclaimer: Not all websites and/or organizations have been vetted. Use caution)

After Graduation Military Options - If you're looking to make the most of your time in the military and after service, military academies are a great option. Learn about options for military service.

Boys and Girls Clubs of America MISSION: YOUTH OUTREACH - know that times of national crisis can dramatically disrupt a military family’s life. The MISSION: Youth Outreach partnership supports military youth, ages 6 to 18 who are coping with a deployed parent by creating a positive, supportive network. Through this partnership, children of National Guard, Reserve, and Active Duty families, who do not live near or have access to a military Youth Center, can receive a free membership to their local Boys & Girls Club.

March 2 Success - provides an online study program to help students prepare for standardized tests, improve school work and review materials

Military Child Education Coalition - is a worldwide non-profit organization whose goal is to serve as a model of positive leadership and advocacy for all military children. Their mission is to ensure inclusive, quality educational experiences and opportunities for all military children affected by mobility, family separation, and transition. They provide responsive and relevant support systems and resources such as Students at the Center as well as free professional training and programs such as Student 2 Student and Parent 2 Parent for families in transition.

Military Discount Guide - The Dealhack Military Discount Guide is the result of a quarterly survey of brands that offer active-duty military and veteran discounts. Every three months, each and every store on this list is independently verified. The list is then conveniently broken down into categories, and can also be saved in PDF form and used as the ultimate reference guide for active military and veteran discounts.

Military Interstate Children’s Compact Commission (MIC3) - the Department of Defense, in collaboration with the National Center for Interstate Compacts and the Council of State Governments has developed an interstate compact that addresses the educational transition issues of children of military families.

Military One Click - The modern network for military spouses and families.

Military One Source - from the Department of Defense is your 24/7 gateway to trusted information, resources and confidential help. The website designed to help military connected families in every aspect of their life.  An extensive amount of information as resources to military families.  

Military Tutor - Online tutoring and homework help for U.S. military and their families provided 24/7 at no cost by the U.S. Department of Defense and Coast Guard Mutual Assistance.

National Archives Veterans Service Records - Research or request military records

National Military Family Association -  is the voice of military families because, for 48 years, we have proven that we stand behind service members, their spouses, and their children. Our Association is the “go to” source for Administration Officials, Members of Congress, and key decision makers when they want to understand the issues facing our families.

Ohio Purple Star Designation Award - for military-friendly schools recognizes schools that show a major commitment to students and families connected to our nation’s military. Schools that earn the award will receive a special Purple Star recognition to display onsite. 

Our Military Kids - A 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization created to provide support (grants) and recognition to military children. Grants pay for participation in activities that help children cope with stress and anxiety while their parents are recovering or absent. The program supports children, ages 5-12th grade, of deployed National Guard and Reserve service members and children of wounded warriors from all service branches. 

Pets for Vets - Pairs veterans with shelter dogs that are specially selected to match the veterans’ personality.

Real Warriors - A multimedia public awareness campaign designed to encourage help-seeking behavior among service members, veterans, and military families coping with invisible wounds.

Sesame Street for Military Families - Sesame Workshop is the nonprofit educational organization that revolutionized children’s television programming with the landmark Sesame Street.

Sesame Workshop - Provides much-needed support and practical education through Talk, Listen, Connect, a multiphase outreach initiative to help young kids through deployments, combat-related injuries, and the death of a loved one.

Tough Topics for Military Kids - the Washington State Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction offers guidance to support students in the classroom.

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs - VA’s five core values underscore the obligations inherent in VA’s mission: Integrity, Commitment, Advocacy, Respect, and Excellence. The core values define “who we are,” our culture, and how we care for Veterans and eligible beneficiaries. 

Veterans Crisis Line - Connects veterans in crisis and their families and friends with qualified, caring Department of Veterans Affairs responders through a confidential toll-free hotline, online chat, or text. Veterans and their loved ones can call 1-800-273-8255 and Press 1, chat online, or send a text message to 838255 to receive confidential support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Support for deaf and hard of hearing individuals is available. 

VFW Auxillary National Organization Scholarships - is proud to offer scholarships and participate in scholarship contests that promote patriotism, assist students in furthering their education and help students reach their full potential.