Military-Connected Students and Families
We Love our Military Families!
Walt Whitman Middle School is proud to welcome all students from Fort Belvoir Upper Elementary School, as well as, any new military-connected students to Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS). As the designated middle school for students living on the Fort Belvoir military installation, our current student population is approximately 25% military-connected students. With such a large population of active-duty students, our military-connected Wildcats enjoy the benefit of being surrounded by peers who understand the change and transitions associated with military life.
Proud to be a Purple Star School!
Whitman first received the Virginia Purple Star Designation in the 2019-2020 school year and has remained dedicated to the principles of the program by achieving the designation again in the 2022-2023 and 2025-2026 school years. Purple Star Schools are recognized by the Virginia Department of
Education and the Virginia Council on the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children for their dedication to helping military-connected students and their families. The Council recognizes that Whitman earning the award for the third time is no easy accomplishment and that by achieving this award status our school has established an embedded culture of belonging and support. It also recognizes that our Wildcat community holds dear the important role students play as evident in our school’s active peer-to-peer programming through our Student Ambassadors club.
Transition Support
Whitman welcomes all of our new and returning military-connected families during Blue Star Welcome Week and throughout the year! Whether your family is moving permanently to Whitman or living here for a short time, our school and support staff welcome you and offers many supports to assist with your transition into and/or out of our district.
Contact Information for Whitman Transition Support Staff
Enrollment Support
Colleen Hooper : Director of Student Services
Liliana Aberger : Student Services Assistant
Raquel Monterrosa Romero : Family Liason
Katie Fava : School Psychologist
Academic Support
Angela Perez : Special Education Department Chair
Phoebe Suarez Del Real : Advanced Academics Resource Teacher
Community Support
One of our core beliefs is that Whitman is more than just a building. It's a community, a network of support, a place where students are seen, heard, and valued. Our Wildcat community offers many supports to help our military-connected students feel that they welcome and Whitman is a safe and inclusive space for everyone to belong.
Whitman Military and Family Life Counselor
The Whitman Military and Family Life Counselor (MFLC) offers free, confidential support to service members, their families, and survivors. Trained in military life's unique challenges, they provide valuable counseling, engaging activities, and tailored presentations.
These no-cost services are for students, parents, and staff. The MFLC also collaborates with classroom staff, offering behavioral interventions and feedback, and discusses child interactions.
All services are private, except for legally required duty-to-warn situations. The Military and Family Life Counselor at Whitman Middle School is dedicated to supporting the well-being of the school's military families.
For more information, contact Whitman MFLC Amy Damele at [email protected] .
Topics & Issues Addressed
- School Adjustment
- Deployment and separation
- Reunion adjustment
- Sibling and parent-child communication
- Behavioral concerns
- Fear, grief, and loss
How do MFLCs Make a Difference?
- Engaging in activities with children and youth through individual, group and lunch bunches.
- Providing short term, non-medical counseling support
- Available at no cost to assist children and youth, parents, family members, and staff of child and youth programs
- Providing behavioral interventions in classrooms, at camps, and in Child Development Centers to assist staff in setting and managing boundaries
- Modeling behavioral techniques and providing feedback to staff
- Being available to parents and staff to discuss interactions with children and other concerns
- Facilitating psycho-educational groups
Sample Presentation Topics
- Anger Management
- Building Resiliency
- Deployment
- Children and Moving
- Communication
- Conflict Resolution
- Coping Strategies
- Divorce and Separation
- Relationship Skills
- Reintegration
- Stress Management
Consent Form
Please complete the form below and return to your student's sub-school or email the form to your student's counselor.
Walt Whitman Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA)
The Walt Whitman PTSA advocates for the success of each student, family, and teacher. From organizing our annual Fall Festival, to monthly meetings, and our end of the year celebrations, there are many opportunites for parents to volunteer and get involved at Whtiman with their students. For more information, please email [email protected] .
Additional Local Supports
Resources at Fort Belvoir
Army Community Services : Army Community Service (ACS) assists the Fort Belvoir community by developing, coordinating and delivering comprehensive services to help promote self-reliance, resilience and stability. ACS offers no-cost classes and trainings that are designed to equip Servicemembers, Family Members, Retirees, and Department of Defense Civilians with the life skills, knowledge and support needed to face the challenges of military life.
Child & Youth Service Youth Center : The Youth Center sponsors a variety of programs offering youth opportunities in life skills, citizenship and leadership, leisure, recreation and arts, mentoring, intervention and support services. The Middle School and Teen Program offers a homework lab, computer lab, open recreation, arts and crafts, pick up sports and special interest activities that change each week. CYS registration is required for participation.
Exceptional Family Member Program : If your family has special medical or educational needs, help is available before, during, and after your move. Enrollment in the Exceptional Family Member Program provides military families with special needs considerations during the assignment process and access to support services to help navigate the medical and educational system.
School Liaison Program : School Support Services provides Army school-aged youth with educational opportunities, resources and information necessary to achieve academic success. School Liaison Officers are your best support in the area of education, schools and military transitions. SLOs are knowledgeable in current education news and policies. They act as the conduit between the school community – including local public school districts, private schools and home school Families – and the installation.
Additional Resources
Blue Star Families : Blue Star Families was founded by military family members in 2009 to empower these families to thrive as they serve. We're committed to strengthening military families by connecting them with their neighbors – individuals and organizations – to create vibrant communities of mutual support.
Military OneSource : Military OneSource is your connection to information, answers and support when MilLife happens . Members of our military family have access to a wealth of tools, information and resources from the Defense Department anytime, anywhere. Eligible service members and families can also access personalized support for a range of issues.
