OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES

In addition to implementing the annual required activities, Purple Star Schools must also conduct at least 1 optional activity each year. Optional activities may change each year and schools are encouraged to include as many optional activities as they like. Schools may also develop their own celebrations. 

Documentation of optional activities is required with the Purple Star School award application. Documentation may be photos, videos, social media posts, etc.

Recognizing the timing of school calendars and the award timeline, we currently accept plans for planned future events for a limited number of activities. Submitted plans should include topic, dates, delivery method, responsible parties, community partners, etc. 

Please note, the "in Progress" option and the submission of future plans is limited to specific activities.

You will select “Completed” if your school has implemented the activity, “In Progress” if your school plans to implement this school year, "On Hold" if your school is not selecting this activity this year, or "Not Planned" if your school has no plan to implement this in the future. "Completed" and "In Progress" selections must have the required documentation attached. 

Your course facilitators are available to support schools in their ongoing Purple Star School-related activities.

Here is a list of optional activities schools may choose from.

1. Additional staff members completed the Nevada Military Children in Our Schools professional development course in Canvas. 

• Staff certificates do not need to be included in the supporting document. The course facilitators can confirm the teachers from your site through Canvas. Attaching a staff roster and/or asking staff to provide the school’s name on the course evaluation will assist the facilitators with verification. 

2. Parents and/or community members completed the Nevada Military Children in Our Schools professional development course.

• These certificates do not need to be included in the supporting document. The course facilitators can confirm the community members from your site through Canvas. Providing a list of names and/or asking community members to provide the school’s name on the course evaluation will assist the facilitators with verification.

3. The school board passed a resolution publicizing the school’s support for military students and families.

• Please attach the school board agenda and/or meeting minutes that show the resolution.

4. The school holds fundraisers to support military veterans and active-duty members.

• For fundraisers that have already taken place, please provide photos, agendas, programs, etc. that clearly show the fundraiser and the organization donated to.

• For celebrations that have not yet happened, please provide an outline of the planned activity that clearly outlines the fundraising processes and the organization receiving the donation.

5. The school has a U.S. Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) program in place.

• No documentation is necessary. The program facilitators can verify. It may be helpful to provide the link to the JROTC webpage on your school’s website. A photo would be accepted if submitted.

6. The school hosts a military appreciation night at a sporting event.

• For military appreciation nights that have already taken place, please provide photos, programs, flyers, invitations, etc. that clearly show the military appreciation at the sporting event.

• For military appreciation nights that have not yet happened, please provide an outline of the planned activity that clearly outlines how the military members will be shown appreciation at the sporting event. You may also include flyers and/or invitations advertising the future event.

7. The school has a public military display. The display is any public demonstration of military support, such as a tribute wall for military-connected students and families, a memorial, a bulletin board, a special Purple Star room, etc.

• It is recommended that this activity be completed and not planned. Please provide photos of the military display.

• Should a large display be planned (Purple Star room, military connected book display, etc.), please provide the plans for the display. Include sketches, book orders, and an explanation of why the display is planned at this time. 

8. The school hosts an annual military friendly program. The program may have occurred on Memorial Day, Veteran’s Day, or Patriot Day (9/11).

• For military friendly programs that have already taken place, please provide photos, programs, flyers, invitations, etc. 

• For military friendly programs that have not yet happened, please provide an outline of the planned activity that clearly outlines the program. You may also include flyers and/or invitations advertising the future military friendly program.

9. The school participates in an annual Memorial Day or Veteran’s Day parade.

• For parade participation that has already taken place, please provide photos, programs, flyers, registration confirmation, etc. that clearly show the school’s involvement in the parade.

• For parade participation that has not yet happened, please provide an outline of the planned participation. You may also include registration confirmation and/or flyers advertising the school’s involvement in the parade.

10. Staff attended/viewed webinars focused on Purple Star Schools or Military-Connected families.

• For webinar attendance that has already happened, please provide the webinar name, the staff members, and the dates of attendance. You may also provide certificates of completion.

• For webinar attendance that has not yet happened, please provide the staff members, the webinar name, and the planned dates of attendance.

11. The ASVAB is offered to all juniors and seniors

Information can be found here: https://www.asvabprogram.com/  

• Please provide the information/flyers provided to students encouraging them to take the ASVAB, documents provided on why the ASVAB is a valuable test to take, documentation of collaborating with military recruiters to facilitate the ASVAB, and the number of juniors and seniors who took the ASVAB within the last year.

12. The school completed the necessary application and coursework to become Chapter 35 accredited with the VA.

• Please provide documentation that shows the accreditation is complete (website link, email communication, etc.) 

13. Graduating seniors wear purple cords to designate they are a military child.

• Please provide photos, programs, or other documentation that show the graduation military children were given and wore purple cords. 

14. Other: 

The Nevada Purple Star Program also allows schools to develop their own activities to celebrate their military-connected families.

• Please provide a document explaining the activity and include any photos, agendas, flyers, timelines, names of those involved, etc.

Additional Resources

• Purple Star Webinars.pdf