McConnell School Liaison Office

10/30/2026

Wrapping Up Red Ribbon Week 2026!

High fives, fist bumps, smiles, and plenty of Red Ribbon Week swag!

McConnell AFB Airmen helped spread the drug-free message to students at Stone Creek Elementary (USD 260), Mulvane Middle School (USD 263), and White Elementary (USD 259).

A special thank you to our Airmen who volunteered their time and our community partners, KS STARBASE and ICON Construction, for joining us in encouraging students to make healthy choices and live drug-free lives!

Student Focused Partnership Driven


Wichita Public Schools Derby Public Schools
Mulvane Middle School STARBASE Wichita Icon Construction

10/30/2026

All Pro Dad – Wineteer Elementary!

Our next All Pro Dad meeting is coming up! This month’s topic is CONSISTENCY — helping our kids understand the importance of showing up, keeping promises, and following through.

Thursday, November 5, 2026
7:00–7:50 AM
Wineteer Elementary Library
Light breakfast provided!

Dads and father figures, join us for some quality time with your kids!

Student Focused Partnership Driven


Wineteer Elementary School

10/30/2026

All Pro Dad – Wineteer Elementary!

Dads and father figures, join us for our next All Pro Dad meeting! Our November topic is INITIATIVE — helping our kids learn the importance of stepping up and taking action.

Thursday, November 5, 2026
7:00–7:50 AM
Wineteer Elementary Library
Light breakfast provided!

All Pro Dad is about strengthening father-child relationships through meaningful conversations and quality time together.

Come make some memories before the school day begins!

Student Focused Partnership Driven

Elementary School

10/29/2026

STEM Takes Flight at McConnell AFB!

What an incredible day of learning, discovery, and excitement!

More than 700 students from Maize, Derby, and Wichita Public School Districts, AFJROTC programs, and military-connected homeschool families joined us on October 23 for a special STEM event ahead of the Frontiers in Flight Air Show!

Students explored aircraft up close, engaged with military professionals and community partners, and discovered exciting STEM opportunities and career pathways.

Students also had the opportunity to watch the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds practice overhead!

A huge thank you to our military and community partners for helping make this experience possible!

Student Focused Partnership Driven

Here are a few highlights from the day!

10/28/2026

Join us for the 32nd Annual WPS JROTC Leadership Salute to Veterans at 10 a.m., Friday, Nov. 6, inside the Aetna Gymnasium at WSU Koch Arena, where more than 450 JROTC students will stand in formation for a review of the troops — a moving display of discipline, pride, and purpose. Through JROTC, our middle and high school students are building far more than military precision; they’re developing confidence, character, and leadership skills to help make them Future Ready.

10/23/2026

Student Focused Partnership Driven

Thank you to Derby Public Schools for inviting me to join today’s visit with the new Kansas Commissioner of Education Dr. Jake Steel and Kansas State Board of Education member Mrs. Betty Arnold at Cooper Elementary!

It was a great opportunity to see students and staff in action and briefly share how our Military-Connected Educational Partnership Council (MCEPC) strengthens collaboration between McConnell AFB and Derby Public Schools in support of military-connected students and families.

I’m especially grateful that McConnell AFB not only has a seat at the table but also a voice in shaping opportunities and initiatives that support our military-connected students. This is what meaningful partnerships are all about!

From student leadership and classroom engagement to innovative learning opportunities, Derby Public Schools continues to demonstrate the value of strong educational partnerships.

Proud to represent McConnell AFB’s School Liaison Program and be part of this continued collaboration!

Photos courtesy of Derby Public Schools.

Derby Public Schools McConnell Air Force Base

10/21/2026

Reality U – Coleman Middle School!

What a great day of financial literacy and real-world learning at Coleman Middle School!

The McConnell AFB School Liaison Office and Youth Center joined Reality U to engage with 8th-grade students as they navigated real-life financial decisions.

Reality U is an interactive simulation where students manage a monthly budget while making decisions about housing, transportation, food, insurance, and unexpected expenses.

Lots of engagement, math, decision-making, and memorable “Aha!” moments as students discovered how quickly debt can add up and why making smart financial decisions matters!

Proud to partner with Reality U and our community schools to help students develop financial literacy and essential life skills!

Student Focused. Partnership Driven.

10/18/2026

M3 – Mentor • Motivate • Make an Impact | Derby High School!

Another great day connecting with students at Derby High School on October 15!

Through a collaboration between the McConnell AFB School Liaison Program and McConnell Youth Center, we continued creating opportunities to connect, engage, and support our military-connected students.

During lunch, we engaged with the student body through some fun and competitive Minute to Win It games!

During Prime Time, our military-connected students kicked things off with a competitive game of Spot It! before learning about upcoming Youth Center events, military friendly scholarships and volunteer opportunities.

We then jumped into “What If? – High School Edition,” an interactive activity exploring real-life scenarios involving school and integrity, friendship and loyalty, and work and real-world decisions.

Students shared their perspectives, discussed whether they agreed, disagreed, or were neutral, and rotated between tables every three minutes. Twenty minutes of communication, teamwork, critical thinking, and learning from one another!

Building connections, giving military-connected students a voice, and creating opportunities for them to grow!

Student Focused Partnership Driven

10/15/2026

New orders. New school questions.

Public, private, or homeschool? Enrollment deadlines? Graduation requirements?

Your School Liaison helps you understand education options before your move. Answers matter when families consider their next assignment or their future in uniform.

School Support. Mission Impact.

Photo Credit: McConnell School Liaison

10/13/2026

Great learning opportunity.

How can Purple Star schools turn their commitment to military-connected students into consistent, accessible support?

Join our project manager, Timothy Mazer, at the fifth annual Purple Star USA National Convening of Schools & Communities for “Making Support Work for Military-Connected Students Through Lessons from Public Administration.”

Tim will share practical strategies to simplify school transitions, clarify staff responsibilities, and use student and family feedback to improve support. Through school-based examples and guided reflection, participants will consider how everyday decisions and school procedures affect military-connected families.

📅 October 22, 2026
🕥 Timothy’s session: 10:45–11:30 a.m. ET
💻 Convening: 10 a.m.–4 p.m. ET

Register for the convening and plan to attend Tim’s session: b04fb99d-1f84-458e-9d9e-954b53bd6565@c8590879-16e2-4eef-803b-2c1745e7cf9e?source=copyLinkLegacyShareLinkDialog" rel="ugc" target="_blank">https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/b04fb99d-1f84-458e-9d9e-954b53bd6565@c8590879-16e2-4eef-803b-2c1745e7cf9e?source=copyLinkLegacyShareLinkDialog