Military Family Support

Washington State District Purple Star Award

NTPS Military Support facilitates outreach and advocacy between Joint Base Lewis-McChord and our district's schools and military families. If you are interested in receiving information about events, activities, and resources available for military-connected families throughout the school year, email us!

View our Welcome to NTPS! flyer for new military families

Military & Family Life Counseling

NTPS has military and family life counselors (MFLCs) who can provide services to our active-duty or newly retired military families at 10 of our schools. Learn more about MFLC services in our district.

NTPS Commitment

The NTPS Board of Directors and district leadership are committed to strong support for our military-connected children and families.

News & Announcements

MIC3: Military Interstate Children's Compact Comimission

Military Interstate Children's Compact Commission (MIC3)

Washington participates in the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunities for Military Children.

JBLM Resources

New here? We have some of the top information that may help you transition to Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

Federal Impact Aid Surveys Due October 18

Active Duty military and federally-employed families must return the surveys to ensure funding for our Military Support services.

Military Connect Coffee Chats

Join us for a military family coffee chat in the District Office Boardroom throughout the school year!

Contact Us

Military Support Liaison

Katie Linfoot
militarysupport@nthurston.k12.wa.us
360-412-4407

Director of Student Achievement

Stephanie Weinheimer
360-412-4891

JBLM School Liaison Officer

Antoinette Walker
253-967-7195
(Help on non-school days)

Upcoming Events

Oct 22

Military Family Night

5:30 PM - 7:30 PM

Timberline High School Commons, 6120 Mullen Rd SE

Oct 24

Coping with Deployment

5:30 PM - 7:00 PM

Virtually, via Zoom

Annual Focuses

October: Federal Impact Aid Surveys

Each October, Federal Impact Aid Surveys are sent home with all students. If your household includes active-duty military or federal employees, please return your survey as soon as possible. All information is kept confidential.

Download a PDF Survey

Impact Aid is a Federal education program that reimburses school districts for the lost revenue and additional costs associated with the presence of non-taxable Federal property in our area. Learn more about Impact Aid.

Survey responses provide our district with Federal funding that supports our:

MFLC counselors
Military support team
Military-focused school events and activities (Veterans Day Assemblies, Valentines for Veterans, Month of the Military Child)

November: Veterans Day

NTPS Veterans Day Appreciation Event

Join us Thursday, November 7, 2024, from 4:30–6:00 pm in the Envision Career Academy commons area (411 College Street NE). NTPS will recognize and honor our NTPS military veterans. Please join us for refreshments, community resources, and an opportunity to meet other veterans and their families in our district.

RSVP

Veterans Day Assemblies

Each November, all NTPS schools hold Veterans Day assemblies for students to honor those who have served our country.

Lacey choir sings at a Veterans Day assembly — Lacey Elementary choir sings the Star Spangled Banner

Salish students introduce a veteran family member — Salish Middle School students introduce a family veteran

February: Valentines for Veterans

Each February, students across the district share the love by participating in the Valentines for Veterans & First Responders project. Students demonstrate their gratitude to those who serve our country and community by making hand-crafted Valentine cards that are delivered to Lacey Fire, Lacey Police, and the military at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

The Valentines for Veterans program was started locally in 2013 by Lt Governor (then-Representative) Denny Heck to encourage connection and appreciation among our military and community members in our region. The program expanded to include recognition for first responders in 2018. Representative Marilyn Strickland now sponsors the Valentines for Veterans program, and the compassionate cards continue to be distributed throughout our community each year.

Olympic View Elementary students holding valentines — Olympic View Elementary students & valentines

April: Month of the Military Child

A girl wearing a purple-up for military kids shirt

Each April, we celebrate the Month of the Military Child, where we recognize the strength & sacrifices our NTPS military-connected students make by being a part of a military family.

Why Purple? Purple demonstrates that all branches of the military are supported as it is the combined color of Army Green, Marine Red, and Air Force, Coast Guard, Navy, & Space Force Blue.

We celebrate Month of the Military Child in our district through school events, a military coin seek & search, a virtual student art wall, and a Purple-Up spirit wear sale.

Spirit Wear

Art Wall

Student artwork with a solider, plane, and text %22family of heroes%22 — *2023 Art Wall Submission*

Our 2024 theme is Military Children: Brave, Fearless, and Resilient.

Students can submit artwork to be included in our virtual art wall and receive a MOMC swag bag!

Submissions should address one of the following themes:

Share an experience of being brave as a military or veteran-connected kid.
Celebrate what makes you fearless being a military kid or a friend to a military kid.
Highlight a time when you were resilient as a military or veteran-connected kid.
What is the best thing about being a military child?

How to participate

Entries are accepted from any NTPS K–12 student.
Read the rules below, and submit an entry form and photo of your artwork. to militarysupport@nthurston.k12.wa.us by the end of March. Entries can also be mailed to Katie Linfoot, Military Support, 305 College Street NE, Lacey, WA 98516.

Rules for participants

Entries must follow one of the themes.
Artwork can be created using paint, chalk, pencil, acrylics, watercolors, recyclable materials, clay, etc.
Artwork can be a drawing, painting, collage, photography, graphic design, or creating writing not exceeding 500 words. Video submissions will not be accepted.
Artwork must be the original work of the student.
Each participant must submit a completed entry form and a photo of their artwork to receive an MOMC Swag Bag that will be distributed by the Military Support Team in April at the student's school.
NTPS reserves the right to deny a submission if artwork violates policy/procedure 3207.

Questions?

Email militarysupport@nthurston.k12.wa.us or call 360-412-4407.

Military Coin Search

Search for a coveted NTPS Military Appreciation Coin this April!

Where do I find them?

Coins are located around all NTPS schools, in clearly visible and easily accessible areas.

Please remember: visitors may only search for coins when school is not in session. Please do not climb on or disturb school property.

What do they look like?

Coins are ceramic and include the district logo on one side.

May: Military Spouse Appreciation

Each May, NTPS celebrates Military Spouse Appreciation Day! We recognize the military spouses of active-duty and retired service members among our staff, families, and community by hosting an event at our District Office with refreshments, door prizes, appreciation gifts, and an opportunity to meet other military spouses in our district.

Board member Jennifer Thomas speaks to a group of military spouses and kids — *Board member Jennifer Thomas speaks at the 2023 Military Spouse Appreciation Event*

Resources

General

PCSing Resources

A PCS or any military move can have its challenges, especially if you have a lot of possessions or this is your first move. Below are some helpful websites and tips for a smoother transition as you and your family take the next step in your military journey.

PCS Reassignment Process (JBLM)

PCS Resources from Military OneSource

10 Tips to PCSing with Kids

4 Books for your Military Child During a PCS

Community Resources

New to Olympia and Lacey? Many local organizations are dedicated to supporting our military-connected families. If you're looking for financial assistance or ways to build a community, consider exploring some of them. For more general support resources that aren't specifically for the military-connected, see the NTPS Community Resources Directory.

A Hero's Promise
Nonprofit organization that serves the military and veteran communities to create a positive impact by facilitating events and initiatives to foster community engagements and provide valuable opportunities for veterans to thrive.

American Legion Posts
Supports current military personnel and veterans, sponsors Boys and Girls State, oratorical contests, activities and more. Find a local American Legion Post.

Blue Star Families Puget Sound Chapter
Committed to strengthening military families by connecting them with their neighbors to create vibrant communities of mutual support. Join the local chapter to stay up-to-date with events and community.

Capitol Battalion of US Navy Sea Cadets
Sea Cadets has two programs: Navy League Cadet Corps (ages 10–13) and Naval Sea Cadet Corps (ages 13–18).

Childcare Aware of Washington
Department of Defense organization that connects military and DoD-affiliated families to quality, affordable child care programs.

Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association (WA 11-4) "Capital City Vets"
Their motto is "veterans helping veterans" and they support fellow brothers and sisters-in-arms who have defended our country and our freedoms.

Lacey Veterans Service HUB
Provides assistance to all veterans, active military, national guard, reserves, and their families in Thurston County. They are a one-stop-shop for services.

New Market Skills - Navy National Defense Cadet Corps
NTPS juniors and seniors are able to talk with their advisor to determine if this program fits within their graduation plan or not. For more information, have your student talk with their counselor about this course opportunity.

Nine9Line Veteran Services
Programs and services to support veterans, their families, and community.

Operation Homefront
Helping build strong, strong, stable, and secure military families.

Puget Sound Veterans Services
Provides assistance and resources to service members and their families in Thurston County.

Support the Enlisted Project (STEP)
Helps build financial self-sufficiency among junior active-duty enlisted members and recently discharged enlisted veterans and their families facing financial crisis through counseling, education, and grants.

Travis Manion Foundation
Programs, training opportunities, and events that empower veterans and families of the fallen.

VET Center
Confidential help for veterans, service members, and their families at no cost in a nonmedical setting. The main location is Tacoma, but there are satellite location in Lacey and other areas.

Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW)
Organization of eligible veterans and military service members from active, guard, and reserve forces to serve our veterans, the military, and our communities. Find a local VFW.

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