House Bill 1056 looks to benefit military children through “Purple Star Schools” program

RAPID CITY, S.D. — A new bill will look to help military kids get acclimated to their new schools in South Dakota.

House Bill 1056 focuses on helping active-duty military personnel children to transition by way of a liaison that will help the children as they attend their new school.

The program will help students with class placement, counseling, and getting into extra-curriculum activities, which will help them adapt to their atmosphere.

The program will come with no additional cost and legislators hope that the bill will solve a problem for children who could have to move multiple times as their parents serve.

“Our military families are frequently having to move every two to four years, so we want to make sure that we’re following those high standards and making sure that kids transitioning easily into our community,” said Jessica Castleberry, State Senator representing District 35.

10 other states have a similar program in place including:

• Arkansas
• Georgia
• Indiana
• Montana
• North Carolina
• Virginia
• Ohio
• South Carolina
• Texas
• Tennessee

Castleberry said that a main concern regarding the bill is the concern of cost and if the program will benefit the state and not just the children.