Military Families,

Welcome to Gilchrist Elementary School!  We are committed to families connected to our nation’s military. On this page you will find many resources to support your family and your children as we work to strengthen their education.    

Gilchrist Elementary School honors and celebrates our military families and military history in several ways such as:

     Support of our Military-connected Students:

     Gilchrist Elementary School staff are committed and honored to support and respond to the educational and personal challenges that military children and their families face during their transition to a new school and community.

     Our school notifies staff to prepare for and welcome new students, and arriving Purple Star Students are teamed with Purple Star Buddy for a school tour. Students also receive a welcome packet containing relevant information about the school and community. New students meet with the school's trained Purple Star Liaisons to share previous locations, hobbies, and challenges they have faced during school in the past and ask any questions about Gilchrist Elementary.

New students meet with the student body and are invited to sit with peers at lunch.

Our school's staff will continue to ensure that your student is transitioning well.

We commit to our military-connected students by:

• A resolution by our school board to support our military family students
• A dedicated Purple Star webpage as a resource for the student and family
• A dedicated school Purple Star School liaison

Gilchrist Elementary Purple Star School Liaisons Advisors are Brian Bulgrin and Dr. Barbara Leiseth- (307) 771-2285- duties include;

• Identify military-connected students enrolled at the school
• Serve as the point of contact between the school and the military-connected students and their families or guardians
• Assist in developing and coordinating appropriate services and programs relevant to military-connected students

Contact our Purple Star School Advisors for information on counseling and other support services available for military-connected students enrolled at the campus.

Military School Liaison Program Manager: Mary Jacobsen - phone (307)773-5943 or email mary.jacobsen@us.af.mil

How we Honor our Military:

• Veterans Day Events
• Military Family Appreciation Month
• Month of the Military Child Events

Information about the Wyoming Purple Star Schools Program:

The Wyoming Purple Star School Program recognizes the efforts of Wyoming K-12 schools that are committed and supportive of military students and families - known as military-connected - as they transition to their new homes and schools. The program was designed to help with the challenges of high mobility by setting standards of commitment for the school's award of the military-friendly Purple Star designation. All Wyoming public and private schools are eligible to apply for the Purple Star School Award.

More information can be found on the Wyoming Department of Education's Purple Star Schools webpage

Visit the LCSD1 District Purple Star webpage where you will find many helpful links to extensive resources available to military service members and families.

We thank you and your family for your service to our great country!