Information about the Military Star School Program

The Military Star School program is designed to help schools respond to the educational and social-emotional challenges military-connected children face during their transition to a new school and keep them on track to be college, workforce, and life-ready. Military-connected refers to children of service members on active duty, and in the National Guard and Reserves. The program awards public schools a Military Star designation if they have certain resources in place to accommodate children of a current or former member of the military. There are 31 states that have passed/issued legislation, executive order, or similar. Gov. Tate Reeves, signed Executive Order NO. 1561- Military Star School Program on February 21, 2022.

MS Department of Education School Liaisons

MDE SCHOOL LIAISON CONTACT INFORMATION

School Liaisons Office 228-376-8505

School liaisons are located at each installation and are the main contact for military families, local school systems and installation leadership for school-related matters pre-K through grade 12. School liaisons are experienced professionals who support, advise and build partnerships with the civilian and military community to help address common education challenges of military families. School liaison support is available at no cost and open to all Defense Department identification card holders, educators who serve military students and community partners involved with pre-K-12 education.

School Liaison Contacts

Larry Mullins, NAS Meridian

MeridianSL@us.navy.mil

Office: 601-679-2473

Cell: 601-479-2025

Mona Odom, NCBC Gulfport

Mona.odom.naf@us.navy.mil

Office: 228-871-2117

Cell: 228-323-6105

Joni L. Nalley, Columbus AFB

slo2@us.af.mil

Office: 662-434-2792

Cell: 662-352-6456

Gerald Cross, Keesler AFB

gerald.cross.1@us.af.mil

Military Star School Peer-to-Peer Program

Our Military Star School Peer-to-Peer Program's goal is to provide a welcoming environment for all military students transitioning into Long Beach Middle School. Long Beach Middle School’s Peer-to-Peer Program promotes 100% acceptance and strives to make not only new military students comfortable but also those military students departing our school family. If a military student is interested in participating, please see the LBMS Military Star School Ambassador for information and application. Students participating in the Peer-to-Peer Program will be responsible for greeting, and showing new military students around the school, introducing them to the teachers and staff, and helping them get involved in activities, sports, and clubs at Long Beach Middle School.

If you are a current LBMS Military Student and are interested in being a Peer Ambassador, use the link below to print and complete the application form. Return these to our Military Ambassador, D. Pepper.

Peer Ambassador Form: