For Immediate Release: April 14, 2023
Media Contact: Charles B. Pyle
RICHMOND — The Virginia Department of Education is encouraging all educators, administrators, school support staff and students to wear purple on national “Purple Up! For Military Kids Day,”
Wednesday, April 19, to show their support for military students.
April is designated by Governor Glenn Youngkin as the Month of the Military Child to pay tribute to the thousands of military children in the commonwealth. Virginia is home to several of the nation’s largest military installations and more than 76,000 military-connected children are served by Virginia public schools. These include students with parents on active duty and students whose parents serve in the reserves and National Guard.
First Lady Suzanne S. Youngkin and purple-clad VDOE and Virginia Department of Veterans Services will gather in the lobby of the James Monroe Building in Richmond on April 19 at 12:30 p.m. to show their support for military children. Superintendent of Public Instruction Lisa Coons, Board of Education President Dan Gecker, other state board members and Veterans Services Commissioner Daniel Gade will also participate.
Purple represents the blending of the colors of the five branches of the U.S. Armed Forces. VDOE is helping schools promote Purple Up! For Military Kids Day with a flyer available on the department website.
In addition, VDOE is encouraging public and private schools to apply for the Virginia Purple Star Award. The recognition — awarded by the department and the Virginia Council on the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children — honors military-friendly schools that demonstrate their commitment to meeting the needs of military students and their families. The application window for the award opened on April 1, and will remain open until September 22.
To qualify for a Purple Star, schools must have a staff member designated as the point of contact for military students and families. The point of contact serves as the primary link between the military family and the school. Schools must also provide resources and programming on issues important to military families, such as academic planning and transitions between schools, divisions and states.
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