The Socorro Independent School District showcased its appreciation for students with military-connected parents at the second annual Military Family Conference at the District Service Center on April 1.
The conference kicked off the Month of the Military Child in April. Socorro ISD currently serves 6,555 students with a parent or guardian serving in the U.S. military.
Family members learned about the valuable resources available at SISD to help ease their child’s transition into a new school and community and the district shared information about SISD’s college and career readiness opportunities and the district’s Purple Star designated campuses.
“We want our parents to be well informed and these parents aren’t normally from the community,” said Carmen Olivas-Graham, Director of Administrative Services. “They’re coming in from other parts of the state, the country, or other countries. It is important for them to know what services we provide and what we offer.”
Fort Bliss Garrison Commander Col. Jim Brady welcomed participants to the conference. During his keynote address, he talked about his children’s experiences transitioning to new schools and the resources Fort Bliss offers to families new to the area.
"This conference, in particular, we're engaging the families," Brady said. "Families have a voice, and a military family conference gives them a voice. So, we're going to talk both ways. We're going to talk to them and say, 'Hey, here's a resource we have,' but it's also going to allow (us) to say, 'Hey, where are you struggling? Where are we not meeting your needs?' That will help us understand that."
District administrators hosted breakout sessions on different topics such as the Military Compact, services for students with special needs and resources available for social/emotional/mental health.
The conference also highlighted the district’s 45 Purple Star designated campuses.
The designation is awarded to campuses that provide various resources and assistance, including a campus-based military liaison at every SISD school and campus resources and activities to engage military-connected families such as the Military Parent Advisory Council (MPAC) and the Military Association of Spouses (MAS).
Monique Otten, a native El Pasoan, moved back to El Paso from Pennsylvania when her husband was stationed at Fort Bliss in 2021. Her three children attend Chester E. Jordan Elementary. She participated in the social/emotional/mental health session.
Otten said the school previously provided her children with counseling services to help them cope with their father’s deployment to Korea.
“I think it’s wonderful to have that connection,” Otten said about the relationship between the district and military families. “Being a military community and welcoming military families with open arms, it’s comforting to know.”
Published May 1, 2023
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