LEONARDTOWN, Md. (March 13, 2011) — According to a recent report by the Military Child Education Coalition (MCEC), St. Mary's County Public Schools (SMCPS) is one of the nation's 25 largest school districts serving the greatest number of military-connected students, with 5,367 students registered that fall into this category. This equates to 32 percent of the school system's total enrollment.
"For military families, we know that getting adjusted to a new community is exhausting" said Dr. Michael J. Martirano, superintendent of schools. "This is why we work very closely with Ms. Dawn Simpson, the school liaison officer at Patuxent River Naval Air Station, to ensure a smooth transition into our schools by students of military and Department of Defense families."
The 25 districts, located in 12 different states, include nearly a quarter-million military dependents and represent approximately one-fifth of all military dependents. Each of the 25 school districts listed enrolls a substantial number of military dependents (at least 5,000).
"Patuxent River Naval Air Station and St. Mary's County Public Schools have a strong partnership which benefits military families and the community at large," said Ms. Dawn Simpson, school liaison officer. "SMCPS is sensitive to the challenges military children face. Administrators and staff work hard to address the needs of the students, provide support for the families and create a positive experience for all."
MCEC is a world-wide nonprofit advocacy organization focused on ensuring quality educational opportunities for all military-connected children affected by mobility, family separation, and transition. MCEC's role is to help families, schools, and communities be better prepared to support children during frequent moves and difficult, sometimes traumatic, times in the life of military families.
Source: St. Mary's County Public Schools