Closing Out the School Year Strong with Military Kids
For military families, the end of a school year can be marked with graduations and award ceremonies, report cards, parent-teacher meetings, and filing hard copies of school-related documents. Meanwhile, kids eagerly look forward to a summer filled with fun, sleep-ins, and possibly a PCS move. Navigating these transitions simultaneously can feel overwhelming.
With support from a dedicated school liaison officer and an experienced military spouse teacher, we have the tools to help families finish the school year strong!
Prep, Organize, Purge
Taking time to organize, plan, and purge is a great way to close out any school year for military kids.
First, set aside time to celebrate your child’s achievements this past school year and start preparations for the upcoming one. Military spouse and teacher Alex Garrido emphasizes that asking questions and setting plans can make all the difference:
“Don’t be afraid to ask your kids’ current teachers what are some ways they can prepare for the next grade, or when would be a good time to reach out to the school to get a meet and greet on the calendar.”
For families leaving a school district, these meetings can also serve as the time to collect hard copies of important documents. Kristen Ferullo, a US Navy School Liaison Officer, highlights the importance of this step for high school students, adding, “students in high school can also gather contact information for teachers and coaches they worked closely with for letters of recommendation for college or scholarships.”
While gathering and filing documents, purging unnecessary documents will come naturally.
Alex provides a great tip: ” Take all the artwork and worksheets your child completed in the school year and involve them in keeping what is meaningful to them and purging what is not needed. It could spur conversations and ensure that nothing is thrown away that they want to keep.”
Keep the Momentum
Though summer might mean sleeping in, engaging in sports activities, or adapting to a new location due to a PCS move, it’s important not to lose the learning momentum your child built throughout the school year.
“I have so many ideas I used for my kids and others to work on fun and easy learning,” Kristen shared. “The most important of all is to keep your child reading or read to them. Maybe even take on a chapter book you work on each night or an age-appropriate series you keep reading throughout the summer as a family.”
For more interactive options over the summer, Sesame Street for Military Families includes games, apps, and worksheets that can keep summer learning fun! NMFA also offers Operation Purple® Summer Challenge, a free eight-week virtual program designed specifically for military kids and families.
No matter the activity—be it interactive learning, family reading sessions, or team sports—each presents teachable moments that build confidence, resilience, and readiness for whatever the next school year holds.
Finish Strong
Remember, military kids’ transitions each year are unique, and your proactive support can turn challenges into opportunities. Celebrate their resilience, keep the joy of learning alive during the summer, and confidently step into the next school year ready for whatever comes your way—because military families don’t just adapt, they thrive.
By: Angela Sablan Tenorio, Content Manager
