April is designated as the Month of the Military Child, underscoring the important role military children play in the armed forces community. Sponsored by the Department of Defense Military Community and Family Policy, the Month of the Military Child is a time to applaud military families and their children for the daily sacrifices they make and the challenges they overcome.
The Month of the Military Child is part of the legacy left by former Defense Secretary Caspar Weinberger. He established the Defense Department commemoration in 1986.
DoDEA joins the Department of Defense and the military community in celebrating April as the Month of the Military Child. In DoDEA communities around the world, our most essential strategic imperatives are: establishing an educational system that progressively builds the college and career readiness of all DoDEA students; and establishing the organizational capacity to operate more effectively and efficiently as a model, unified school system. We aim to challenge each student to maximize his or her potential and to excel academically, socially, emotionally and physically for life, college and career readiness.
Throughout the month, DoDEA will encourage schools to plan special events to honor military children and have administrators and principals incorporate the themes of this month into their every day duties and responsibilities. These efforts and special events will stress the importance of providing children with quality services and support to help them succeed in the mobile military lifestyle.
DoDEA PSA
PURPLE UP! FOR MILITARY KIDS
"Purple Up! For Military Kids" will be celebrated across DoDEA on Wednesay, April 18th. This is a day for DoDEA Communities to wear purple to show support and thank military children for their strength and sacrifices. Purple symbolizes the combined colors of all branches of the military-Army green, Coast Guard blue, Air Force blue, Marine red, and Navy blue.
Share a photo and caption of your local celebrations on the DoDEA Facebook page.
THE PURPLE UP DAY PSA
WAYS TO CELEBRATE
Web Site Feature - Schools can promote the Month of the Military Child on their web sites. Provide links to sites that offer resources for military families.
Publicize Installation/Community Events - Use the school newsletter to publicize Month of the Military Child events and activities hosted by the installation/community. Look for ways schools can contribute to these celebrations (setting up an information or activity booth, having teachers volunteer at events and activities, etc.).
Host an Assembly for Month of the Military Child - Hold a school assembly honoring military children. Include a performance by the band. Have students write a poem about what it means to be a military child and select several student volunteers to read their poems.
Salute to Military Children at Sporting Events - Have the announcer make a special announcement before, during or after sporting events recognizing all military children. Have them raise the flag, sing the National Anthem or recite the Pledge of Allegiance.
Teachers Salute Military Children - Ask teachers at your school make a special project with their classes such as a picture frame, bookmark, journal, etc., that ties into the Month of the Military Child.
RESOURCES FOR MILITARY FAMILIES
DoD-Month of the Military Child
Military children make up a very special part of our nation's population. Although young, these brave sons and daughters stand in steadfast support of their military parents through moves and deployments. To honor their unique contributions and sacrifices on behalf of our country, each April is designated the Month of the Military Child.
Military Families Learning Network
The Military Families Learning Network engages military family service providers and Cooperative Extension educators in the exchange of experiences and research to enhance professional impact and encourage professional growth.
Military One Source
Military OneSource is a Department of Defense-funded program providing comprehensive information on every aspect of military life at no cost to active duty, Guard and reserve service members, and their families.DoDEA Messages
Purple Up! For Military Kids
Wednesday, April 18th
is a time to recognize military families and their children for the sacrifices they make, the resilience they display and the challenges they overcome. Join us in celebrating these youngest members of our military family as we celebrate the month of the military child.
Meet new people and have all kinds of interesting experiences. You are ambassadors for the U.S. and we are proud of you.
We constantly strive to ensure highest student achievement for all of our students. Our schools welcome students, teach them and work hard to prepare them for the future. The children of our service members have much to contribute to their schools, their communities and the nation.
To provide support to students and their families in all areas of development – academic, athletic and social and emotional. We are proud and fortunate to serve you and especially honored to be able to educate your children. We are grateful for your selfless dedication to our nation. We truly believe military children are the greatest and we are committed to helping all our students achieve their highest academic potential.
Thanks for everything you do for your military family. Our nation needs you.
