Tuesday, April 12, 2022
Throughout the month of April, we celebrate the Month of the Military Child. Wisconsin joins individuals, schools, and organizations across the country in recognizing the contributions and challenges of the children of military families. State Superintendent Dr. Jill Underly recently proclaimed April the Month of the Military Child. See her official proclamation here.
Children of military members often experience frequent moves and numerous deployments by their parents during their K-12 educational years. As of February 2022, Wisconsin is home to 15,386 children of military families. Of that number, 2,546 are children of active duty military members, and 13,290 are children of members of the Guard and Reserve. Almost every Wisconsin school district has children attending whose parents/caregivers serve in the military. Among the challenges children of military members face, repeated and extended separations and increased hazards of deployment compound stressors in their lives.
The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction is working to increase awareness of the number of military children who are districts and the types of social, emotional, and academic support students need. Even in “peacetime,” military members are called upon to serve in high risk situations, both close to home and in distant lands. The uncertainty of the frequent deployments, combined with not knowing if or when a parent or caregiver will safely return home creates a highly stressful situation for military children.
Because of the unique situations military families face, Wisconsin has legislation in place to ensure districts create a welcoming, supportive environment for students and remove any potential barriers. Shelley Joan Weiss, Wisconsin Commissioner for the Education of Military Children, and the members of the Wisconsin State Council work closely with the DPI to ensure the Wisconsin Interstate Compact for the Education of Military Children is implemented with fidelity. Detailed information and numerous resources can be found here on the DPI’s website.
Festivities throughout the month are often called “Purple Up” celebrations. The color purple was chosen because it symbolizes all branches of the military – a combination of Army green, Air Force blue, Coast Guard blue, Marine red and Navy blue. You can show your support for military youth by wearing the color purple on April 15, 2022, and all month long.
Subscriber submission: Wisconsin State Commissioner for the Interstate Compact for the Education of Military Children Shelley Joan Weiss