North Thurston Public Schools (NTPS) are proud to participate in activities that underscore the important role military children play in the area's Armed Forces.

Sponsored by the Department of Defense Military Community and Family Policy, April has been designated as the Month of the Military Child. This observance began in 1986 and is part of the legacy left by former Defense Secretary Caspar Weinberger.

"(NTPS) have been celebrating military-connected students and the Month of the Military Child for many years," wrote Collen Moldenhauer, the district's military liaison, in an email. "In the past, this observance was coordinated in each school, but this year the entire district -- 22 schools -- is participating to support these students and their families!  NTPS is turning purple!"

The Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) has taken the lead in generating the drive behind the recognition of military children. It is the civilian agency of the DoD that manages schools for military children and teenagers in the United States and overseas on American military bases.

On Friday, April 21, the DoDEA will celebrate "Purple Up! For Military Kids."

Purple is the color that symbolizes all branches of the military, as it is the combination of Army green, Marine red, and Coast Guard, Navy and Air Force blue.

Approximately 18 percent of the NTPS student population has a parent on active-duty, in the Reserves or in the National Guard. In addition, many members of the school district's staff are retired military or have a spouse currently serving.

"We definitely have a close connection to the military community," continued Moldenhauer.

"We have been working (to honor) military students and families with multiple activities," said Kelli Nye, a counselor at Komachin Middle School. "This is about honor."

In DoDEA communities, the emphasis is on establishing an educational system that progressively builds the college and career readiness of all DoDEA students.

"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," a DoDEA press release related.

In this context, the teachers and staff in the NTPS have taken the celebration to a new level.

"We are encouraging all students and staff to wear purple on Fridays to show support and to thank military-connected students," explained Moldenhauer. "Throughout the district, we are having essay contests, recess activities, Purple Up! banners, games, pizza parties and family activities.  Each school is putting their own spin on it, but truly the entire district is taking part."

Some of the children have taken note of what the significance of the activities means to them and their schoolmates.

"It brings encouragement to kids who may not have emotional support because their parent is away," wrote Amalie, a 7th grade student at Komachin Middle School.

Cariea, another 7th grader at Komachin, added, "I think it is good that we celebrate military children because it gives them support and lets them know they are not alone."