April is the Month of the Military Child
Celebrating military-connected youth
April is the Month of the Military Child, a time to recognize children from military families for their contributions and sacrifices. We recognize that children serve too!
This year’s theme is “Celebrating Military Children and Youth: Building Stronger Character and Relationships.” Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) is proud to have over 13,500 military-connected youth in our student body. We appreciate the varied life experiences they bring to our school community and recognize their strength and resilience. The nationwide commemoration was established in 1986 by former Defense Secretary Caspar Weinberger.
Meet FCPS Students and Their Military Families
Military-connected students face unique challenges and show a lot of resilience and strength. We would like to say thank you for your service to ALL members of these families.
Story Spotlight: Military Kids Club
Creating connections among students from military families is one of the major goals of the Military Kids Club, which boasts 50 student members at one elementry school. Activities include reading books, playing games, writing letters to veterans, and looking at maps to locate spots where their family served. Read story.
Slideshow Round-Up of FCPS Military Families
Click on the first image to enlarge the slideshow, and the photos will change automatically.
Video - Superintendent Reid Celebrates Military-Connected Youth
Purple Up! on April 9, 2025
To show our support for military-connected youth, we are inviting all Fairfax County students, families, school employees, and community members to “Purple Up!” on April 9. Why purple? Purple symbolizes all branches of the military as a combination of Army green, Marine Corps red, and Coast Guard, Navy, Air Force and Space Force blue.
We extend our appreciation for the service of all children from military families and celebrate them by wearing purple in an effort to say “Thank You!” Whether or not you know any military-connected youth, please take a moment to recognize and honor them by wearing purple on April 9.
Post your picture and tag #PurpleUpFCPS!. Let’s Purple Up! for military kids!
Purple Star Schools
Virginia’s Purple Star Designation program recognizes schools for excelling in their support of military-connected students. “When a family member serves in the military, everyone in the family serves,” said FCPS Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid. Dr. Reid has established a goal for FCPS to become a Purple Star Division by the 2026-27 school year. Virginia school districts are awarded Purple Star Division status with 100% of their schools earning and/or maintaining their Purple Star Designation. FCPS currently has 96 Purple Star Schools!
Calendar of Activities
Celebrate the Month of the Military Child with a calendar of weekday activities for April 2025.
April 1 (Tuesday) - Student Holiday
April 2 (Wednesday) - Dandelions are a symbol for military kids because like the flower, they can take root and bloom anywhere! Take a picture with a dandelion and share on social media.
April 3 (Thursday) - There are approximately 13,500 military-connected youth in FCPS! Visit the FCPS YouTube channel to hear from our military-connected youth!
April 4 (Friday) - Wear red to “remember everyone deployed.”
April 7 (Monday) - Sign up for the Military Families FCPS News You Choose to receive information on events, news, and other topics regarding military-connected families.
April 8 (Tuesday) - As a military-connected parent or caregiver, send your child a letter thanking them for their service.
April 9 (Wednesday) - Purple Up! Day: Wear Purple to show your support for military-connected youth! Purple represents military youth because purple combines all the colors of the military branches!
April 10 (Thursday) - Attend the FCPS School Board Meeting at 7pm at Jackson Middle School to support the recognition of military-connected youth.
April 11 (Friday) - Wear red to “remember everyone deployed.”
April 14 -18 (Monday- Friday) - Spring Break
April 21 (Monday) - Create a “10 things you should know about our school” list for new students and families at your school and share with your school’s Family Liaison.
April 22 (Tuesday) - There are 96 Purple Star Schools in FCPS! Ask your school about pursuing the Purple Star Designation.
April 23 (Wednesday) - Military kids move, on average, every two to three years, and making new friends can be hard. Invite a military family to your next gathering at school or in your community.
April 24 (Thursday) - Did you know there are 6 branches of the military? Ask your librarian for a book on the military branches!
April 25 (Friday) - Wear red to “remember everyone deployed.”
April 28 (Monday) - The military uses a special alphabet when spelling to avoid misunderstandings. Ask an adult to search for the military alphabet and then spell your name or other fun words.
April 29 (Tuesday) - Visit the FCPS Family Resource Center webpage for resources for military families.
April 30 (Wednesday) - Ask a military-connected friend about the best place they have lived.
Printable Copy of Calendar (below):
Military Families
FCPS welcomes responsive and collaborative communication and partnerships with our families.
Student Ambassadors
Creating connections and a sense of belonging for military-connected students.
Distinguished Purple Star Schools
Purple Star Schools are military-friendly schools that have demonstrated a major commitment to students and families connected to the military.
