The Month of the Military Child - April

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 MONTH OF THE MILITARY CHILD MESSAGES

WAYS TO CELEBRATE

Wear purple on Purple Up Day - Wearing purple is a visible way for everyone to show support and thank military youth for their strength and sacrifices.

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.