“If anyone deserves recognition and appreciation for their selfless service, it’s military children. Born into military hospitals around the globe, they will learn far too young goodbyes will be frequent and difficult. At some point in their toddler years, they inevitably will hug a camouflaged leg of someone other than their uniformed parent by mistake.”

- April Military Officer Magazine

APRIL 2024

April is the Month of the Military Child, and we devote this Purple Star Bulletin to our amazingly brave military-connected children, who like dandelions, move to wherever the wind blows them, take root, and flourish where they are planted.

The Month of the Military Child is a legacy that was left behind by the former Secretary of Defense, under President Ronald Reagan, Caspar Weinberger. The month was instituted as a time to honor and recognize the sacrifices made by military families and the emphasis was given to dependent children of military members working at home or overseas. The Month of the Military Child is supported by the Department of Defense, Military Community, and many other organizations.

There are more than 1.7 million military children who face the daily challenges of military life. It is estimated that more than 2 million children have had a parent deploy since 9/11 and at least half of them have experienced 2 or more deployments. These resilient children move every two to three years causing them to change schools, support networks, and more. At St. Louis we recognize our active-duty military-connected students and will be celebrating Military Child Appreciation Week from April 15th-19th with special morning messages, themed days, and during Friday assembly.

Military Child Appreciation Week

April 15 - 19

At St. Louis we will recognize our active-duty military-connected students and celebrate Military Child Appreciation Week from April 15th-19th with special morning messages, themed days, and during Friday assembly.

Monday, April 15: Purple Up! Day - All students may wear purple shirts or socks with their regular uniform.

Friday, April 19: Red, White & Blue Tag Day ($2) - All students may wear patriotic colors. Please refer to the out-of-uniform guidelines in the handbook. Proceeds will go to United Through Reading "Military Families Reading Together Eeveryday, No Matter the Distance."

During Militray Child Appreciation Week we will be running a special “St. Louis Kids Serve Too” social media campaign that recognizes the military families in our St. Louis School community as well as sharing these pictures on our bulletin board display. If your family would like to participate, please send a family photo and the following information:

Military branch
Number of places lived (locations optional)
Number of schools children have attended
“What makes St. Louis School special for your family?”
Please let us know if we may use your photo in the social media campaign or on the school bulletin board only.

Questions? Please contact Mrs. Matheis, development@stlouisschool.org

Dandelion Wishes: A Commissary Activity Contest

Throughout the month of April, your local Commissary is inviting all children of authorized commissary patrons to join in “Spreading Joy Around the World” through an activity contest. Children in grades Pre-K-12 are asked to submit a drawing or writing description of a unique experience they have had as a military child. The participants will get a Kinder chocolate from their respective participating commissary. Once complete, drop off your piece at your Commissary Customer Service desk.

Arlington National Cemetery's Flowers of Remembrance Day

On May 26th, visit Arlington National Cemetery for an opportunity to place a flower (provided) at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier to pay homage to the first official Decoration Day.

At 10 a.m. you will have the opportunity to join the Historians of ANC for a talk in the Memorial Amphitheater. More information will be provided closer to the event.

The Military Interstate Children's Compact Commission, MIC3:

Compact 101 Training

The Military Interstate Children’s Compact Commission (MIC3) was founded in 2008 and is the governing body of the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children or ICEOMC. Commission members include the 50 states, District of Columbia, and five ex-officio representatives – which also includes the US Department of Defense. The collaborative’s mission is to provide consistency across the states and thus, ensure a smooth academic transition for the military-connected students.

The MIC3 eases the transition into a new school in various ways. While the Compact is not exhaustive in its coverage, it addresses key issues encountered by military families: eligibility, enrollment, placement, and graduation. In addition, the Compact provides for a detailed governance structure at both the state and national levels with built-in enforcement and compliance mechanisms. The goal of the Compact is to replace the widely varying policies affecting transitioning military students. To read about all the MIC3 can do for your family as you transition follow this link: Interstate Compact for Military Children | Military OneSource

Attend the Compact 101 Training on April 22nd at 6:00 AM ET to learn more about @MIC3Compact helps #militarykids stay on grade level and on track to graduate. Register here.

National Park Service FREE Military Passes: Explore America the Beautiful

The National Park Service provides free access passes to current US military members and their dependents, US military veterans, and Gold Star Families for their support of our country and to encourage them to explore recreational opportunities on their public lands and waters.

A free lifetime Military Pass is available for Gold Star Families and US military veterans. A free annual Military Pass is available for current US military members and their dependents. These passes provide access to more than 2,000 federal recreation areas, to include national parks, wildlife refuges, and forests.

Click here to learn more about getting a Military Pass.

April 1-30

Dandelion Wishes Activity Contest

April 15-19

Military Child Appreciation Week @ St. Louis

April 15

Purple Up! Day

April 19

Red, White & Blue Tag Day

April 19

Women Giving Back Military Shopping Day

April 22

MIC3 Webinar

April 27

Military Children World Expo

May 10

Designer Bag Bingo @ St. Louis (ladies only event)

May 26

Arlington National Cemetery "Flowers of Remembrance Day"

Women Giving Back: Military Shopping Day

Women Giving Back is having a FREE Military Shopping Day on Friday April 19th from 10am to

12:00pm. This allows our veterans as well active service members the opportunity to shop for free women's and children's clothing, shoes and accessories. No referrals are needed, just show US military ID at the door. If you have any questions please email info@womengivingback.org

Resilience 2024 Military Children World Expo

Join the 2024 Military Children World Expo on April 27th from 11am-6pm at the Fashion Center at Pentagon City. The expo is hosted by the Military Children’s Six Foundation. The theme this year is “Resilience”- The Unstoppable Power. It is a global awareness salute to military children. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, click here.

R. Riveter

Don’t forget to join us for Designer Bag Bingo on May 10th for your chance to win a R. Riveter handbag hand made by military spouses! Check out their beautiful inventory and mission here.