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Standards and Instruction

New York State Education Department Seal

THE STATE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT / THE UNIVERSITY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK / ALBANY, NY 12234

Commissioner of Education

President of the University of the State of New York

89 Washington Avenue, Room 111, Albany, New York 12234

(518) 474-5844

To: 
District Superintendents
Superintendents of Schools
Principals of Public, Religious, and Independent Schools
Leaders of Charter Schools
From: 
Betty A. Rosa, Commissioner
Subject: 
April-Month of the Military Child or Purple Up! For Military Kids
Date: 
March 1, 2023

Military members and military-connected families make many sacrifices for the security and safety of our nation, specifically military-connected children during their K-12 careers. April is designated as the Month of the Military Child or “Purple Up! For Military Kids”. States and school districts across the country will hold special activities and wear purple to honor the critical role military children play while their service member parents serve our country.

New York State is a member of the Military Interstate Children’s Compact Commission (MIC3) – that includes the 50 states, District of Columbia, and the Department of Defense Education Activity schools – which addresses the key educational transition issues encountered by military-connected students.  

As educators, we are committed to children and to providing a high-quality education for all students. I ask for your support in April for “Purple Up! For Military Kids” by:

  1. Coordinating a district-wide month or day and promotion through your communication channels (website, newsletters, media), stakeholders, and partners, by tagging #MIC3Compact and #purpleup4militarykids.
  1. Drafting a letter or memorandum to your schools encouraging them to consider sponsoring an activity.
  1. Attending a district or school event celebrating “Purple Up! For Military Kids”.

Once again, the New York State Education Department wishes to highlight the local Month of the Military Child and Purple Up! Day celebrations. Information and resources can be found on the Department’s Month of the Military Child webpage. Additional information on the compact can be found on the Department’s Interstate Compact webpage. Questions pertaining to the Month of the Military Child or the Interstate Compact can be directed to MilitaryCompact@nysed.gov.

Please join me in thanking our military children for their strength and sacrifice by supporting “Purple Up! For Military Kids” next month – they deserve our support!

PDF Version of Memo

Month of the Military Child or Purple Up! For Military Kids Memo