A few weeks after moving to El Paso from Germany, Nathan LeBaron and his family attended the Socorro Independent School District’s Military Recruitment and Information Expo. There, they met with teachers, counselors and program coordinators to discuss what the next chapter of their children's education might look like in the district.

His children were enrolled at Sgt. Roberto Ituarte Elementary School and Spc. Rafael Hernando III Middle School, and the family was eager to learn about the opportunities available to them now and in the future.

"We've only been here for about a month," LeBaron said. "It's a big change."

The annual Military Recruitment and Information Expo on Aug. 8 at the District Service Center was designed specifically for military-connected families like the LeBarons. The event helped incoming and current military families navigate the district's programs and resources by providing information on academic programs, extracurricular activities and student support services.

“Being able to see the different schools here today and the future for our kids—what they may do next year or in a couple of years—it's been really good,” LeBaron said.

SISD has nearly 6,000 military-connected students enrolled. Forty-nine of the district’s 50 campuses have been designated as Purple Star schools by the Texas Education Agency for their exceptional support of military-connected students.

The expo is one of the many ways that SISD provides comprehensive support for students from military families.

Parents met with principals, administrators and district leaders. They learned about extracurricular activities, career pathways, dual-credit programs, after-school care and specialized academic opportunities available throughout the district.

"Most of them are already enrolled in our district, but we want to make sure that they know what other options they have available for their children," said Dr. Carmen Olivas-Graham, SISD director for administrative services.

For LeBaron, whose oldest daughter is in seventh grade, the event provided a look at future opportunities available to her, such as dual credit, which allows students to earn college credit while still in high school.

“It's really nice seeing the different focuses of the schools and where she might fit in best,” LeBaron said.

Aaliyah Walker, a sixth grader at SSG Manuel R. Puentes Middle School, and her mom visited various information booths and met with school representatives.

As a military-connected student, Walker understands the challenges many families face when a parent or family member is deployed. She said that the event helped students like her feel supported.

“I think it's nice for the military kids," Walker said. “Because sometimes whichever family member they have, they have to get deployed and leave.”

LeBaron said his family’s experience in SISD has been great, especially since his oldest daughter now looks forward to going to school.

“She's enjoying school again,” LeBaron said of his daughter. “She actually wakes up in the morning wanting to go to school.”

Click here to watch a video of this story on SISD-TV News.

SISD Military Connected Families Recruitment and Information Expo event photos