South Carolina’s first Purple Star School District is celebrating the 654 military-connected students currently enrolled in Aiken County Public Schools throughout April, the Month of the Military Child (MOMC), with a variety of activities including a “Purple Up” day on Thursday, April 14, when students and staff are encouraged to don their favorite shade of purple.
“Wearing purple, which is a combination of Air Force blue, Army green, Navy blue, Marine red, and Coast Guard blue, is one way we can show our gratitude and support for our Military families,” stated Aiken County Public School District’s Military Community Liaison Sondra Thomas. “These students face more than you realize, so it’s important that we recognize them, and show them we appreciate not only the service their parents provide for our country, but the sacrifices made by each student as well.”
Thomas said most military-connected children move between six and nine times throughout their elementary school years which can cause stress in both students and families. She strives to ensure our military-connected students have the support they need.
“All of our schools have been trained in the Student 2 Student program which allows civilian and military students to work together so we are better able to welcome military students and make the transition between schools as easy as possible.” Thomas added.
For the second consecutive year the District will host a collaborative, month-long MOMC Walk-a-Thon challenge which asks each school and District Office employees to walk a total of 654 miles in April to represent the 654 military-connected students.
Individual schools will celebrate with a variety of activities that highlight the importance of military-connected students, including hosting a breakfast for military-connected students and their families, sharing daily facts on morning announcements, creating military-themed display cases and bulletin boards, tying purple ribbons around trees, hosting color runs, and creating art projects that celebrate our military families.
The community is also supporting MOMC with both City of Aiken Mayor Rick Osbon and the City of North Augusta Mayor Briton Williams issuing “Month of the Military Child” proclamations during the month.
LINK TO DISTRICT PRESS RELEASE: 2022 PR APRIL MOMC