Tuslaw puts focus on military children with month-long celebration

TUSCARAWAS TWP. – More than 100 American flags line the front of Tuslaw Local's three schools. A flag representing each branch of the service flies among them.

Inside the middle school, stars feature the names of students and their parents who are active military members.

At least 15 Tuslaw students have a parent serving in the armed forces.

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The school district is honoring those who serve as April is the Month of the Military Child.

"The Department of Defense encourages us to recognize that and draw some light to fellow classmates that are in military families," said middle school Principal Rich Dinko.

Tuslaw schools are Purple Star schools

The district has a large Veterans Day program, featuring the schools' choirs, speakers and a breakfast. Eighth-grade students write letters of appreciation, Dinko said.

"We've always done a pretty good job with our veterans but now we are adding elements to recognize all military members," Dinko said.

Tuslaw schools have been designated Purple Star schools by the Ohio Department of Education. The award recognizes districts that show a major commitment to students and families connected to the military.

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During the Month of the Military Child, students are participating in spirit days. Last week, they wore red, white and blue. Another day they wore purple, the color designated to honor military children. Later this month, they will wear camouflage.

"We respect the fact that kids are in military families and the stresses that it can bring to a family," Dinko said.

Stepping into a new environment after relocating, kids are without a friend base. They face different levels of stress their peers may not, he said, such as having a parent being away from the home for long periods.

Fifth grader Kayley Weller and her brother, Michael, a third grader, are two of Tuslaw's military children.

Their father, Technical Sgt. Michael Weller, a Tuslaw graduate, is stationed at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base near Dayton.

Their mother, Lisa Weller, is a permanent substitute in the district.

She said the district's support makes a difference, especially knowing they are not alone. The Wellers enrolled last year after returning from Germany.

The family is no stranger to the school system. Michael Weller is a graduate, along with their oldest daughter, Amanda (Dignin) Lang. Two of Lang's three children attend Tuslaw. Another daughter, Emily Dignin, also attended Tuslaw.

"We chose this area because of family," Lisa Weller said. "We wanted our two younger children to have the same experience. It's a very close-knit, wonderful community."

On average a military family relocates every two years, Weller said.

"All of your stuff gets packed up. Our whole life," she said. "There are some challenges - a new home, a new school and curriculum gaps. What one district is teaching is not what is being taught in another."

Kids also miss out on sports and other activities because they arrive late or are not eligible to play, she said.

The absence of a parent is difficult, said Weller, a licensed teacher, said.

But the good far outweighs the bad, she added.

The Weller children are resilient and flexible. They have been exposed to different cultures, places and food.

Her children have played at Stonehenge, danced the flamenco in Spain and haven't had a typical American Thanksgiving in years, instead enjoying spaghetti in Italy and moussaka in Greece after visiting the Parthenon.

Tuslaw eyes memorial so future generations can remember

When the Wellers moved back last year on a Saturday, the school year was set to start on Monday. There wasn't much time to get prepared, Weller said. They were able to utilize the district's support team to provide the kids with school supplies and clothing.

Weller appreciates Dinko's efforts and is working with him to improve services for military families as well as increase awareness.

"I'm so proud to have all those flags. I'm so proud they put a sign on the marquee and I'm proud to be part of the committee to do things for military children," she said. "That patriotism, the love for their country, I want my kids to be proud of their dad."

Besides adding services and activities to recognize military children, Dinko said efforts are underway to establish a memorial wall for Tuslaw graduates who have served and given the ultimate sacrifice.

On a recent school trip to Washington, D.C., eighth graders visited the war memorials including the Vietnam Wall.

They wondered if there were any Tuslaw grads on the wall, Dinko said. Upon returning home, they learned there were two soldiers, both had earned Purple Hearts for their service.

"We're missing that part of our history," he said. "We don't want to forget about those graduates that have served and given their lives in the service of the country."

Donations are being collected to help construct the memorial at the school or for the Tuslaw Community Group, Dinko said.

"The bigger part of the picture is the school recognizes military service and family members throughout the school year instead of just a one-shot event on Veterans Days," he said. "We're looking at how can we carry that support through in many ways. We got some stuff brewing."

Reach Amy at 330-775-1135 or amy.knapp@Indeonline.com

On Twitter: @aknappINDE

This article originally appeared on The Independent: Tuslaw celebrates Month of the Military Child with flags, spirit days