Children in military families were special honorees during an assembly at West Madison Elementary School. Each military child received a certificate and super-hero dog tag. CONTRIBUTED

MADISON – Madison campuses are observing “Month of the Military Child” with special events during the week of April 11 that culminated with “Purple Up! Day” on April 15.

Month of the Military Child was established to underscore the important role children play in the Armed Forces community.

Approximately 2 million military children range in age from newborn to 18 years old; 1.3 million military children are school-aged, Cindy Davis said. Davis is District At-Risk Counselor/Grant Administrator for Madison City Schools.

“Care of military children sustains our fighting force and strengthens the health, security and safety of our nation’s families and communities,” Davis said. In Madison schools, more than 400 students have a parent or parents who serve in the military, either active duty, National Guard or Reserves.

At West Madison Elementary School, counselor Stephanie Allen organized an assembly to honor children in military families on April 11. Each military child received a certificate and super-hero dog tag and received applause while on-stage from their classmates.

“We played the Armed Forces military medley while calling each child’s name on stage. We are so thankful for each of them and their families,” Allen said.

On Purple Up! Day, Madison teachers and administrators coordinated programs and events to honor military children. “Wearing the color purple is a visible way to show support and thank military youth for their strength and sacrifices,” Davis said.

Purple symbolizes all branches of the military, because it combines Army green, Marine red and blue for Coast Guard, Air Force and Navy. The day’s goal was for “military youth to actually see the support in their school, youth groups and community,” Davis said.

In 2004, the Military Child Education Coalition also established the Student 2 Student initiative and now provides trainers and materials to area schools. Helping each school’s counselors, members of elementary Student 2 Student groups (ES2S), junior high S2S (JS2S) and high school (S2S).

The S2S groups respond to critical needs for transitioning students, especially military. S2S members welcome incoming students and help departing students prepare for their next campus, Davis said.