Month of the Military Child

by Shelley Joan Weiss, Wisconsin Association for Middle Level Education President, Association for Middle Level Education Affiliate Advisory Committee - Chair, Wisconsin Commissioner for the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunities for Military Children

April is designated as the Month of the Military Child, underscoring the important role military children play in their families, their school districts, and their communities., The Month of the Military Child was initiated under the leadership of former Secretary of Defense Caspar Weinberger in 1986. April, the Month of the Military Child is a time to applaud military children for the daily sacrifices they make and the challenges they overcome.

Wisconsin joins the Department of Defense, the Wisconsin Department of Military Affairs, the Department of Public Instruction, and schools throughout the country in celebrating April as the Month of the Military Child.

Governor Tony Evers will be proclaiming April as the Month of the Military Child and will be joining schools and military organizations in recognizing the contributions of military children. State Superintendent Carolyn Stanford Taylor has proclaimed April as the Month of the Military Child. Superintendent Stanford Taylor will be joining Cindy Zahrte, Tomah Area School District Superintendent and President Elect of the Wisconsin Association of School District Administrators, Rebecca Walley, Wisconsin Military School Liaison Officer, Senator Patrick Testin, and other members of the Wisconsin State Council for the Interstate Compact for the Education of Military Children on April 15 at Tomah, Wisconsin for the annual “Purple Up” Celebration.

Throughout the month, schools across the state will be holding special events to honor military children. We invite administrators to incorporate the theme of this month into school wide activities.. These efforts and special events will highlight the importance of supporting children to help them succeed in their mobile military lifestyle.

Included in this article are ideas for celebrating April the Month of the Military Child

If you have questions, or would like to share information and photos from your district and school celebrations, please contact Shelley Joan Weiss, Wisconsin Commissioner for the Education of Military Children. We are eager to share your recognition activities with others.