By Hamilton Richardson
Elmore/Autauga News
The recognition of military families and their children in the Autauga County school system was a major focus of the recent Autauga County Board of Education meeting, which was held at Marbury High School.
Dr. Rachel Surles, who heads up Federal Programs, Assessment and Accountability for Autauga County Schools, told board members and those who had gathered for the meeting about the importance of celebrating and supporting military families and their children and the meaning of The Month of the Military Child, which is celebrated in April.
“Military children are strong, resilient and inspirational, and Autauga County Schools is honored to celebrate them every day and specifically in the month of April,” Surles said. “We recognize the unique challenges military-connected children face during their K-12 careers, such as long and repeated separations from parents and the difficulties associated with frequent moves.”
Surles went on to explain how the color purple is a way to recognize the important event.
“Purple Up! Day, in April, is a day to wear purple to show support and thank military children for their strength and sacrifices,” she said. “Purple indicates that all branches of the military are supported; Air Force blue, Army green, Navy blue, Marine red, and Coast Guard blue, all thought to combine as a single color, purple.”
During the meeting, a video and photo presentation was made from over 100 photos of military families and children throughout the school district.
Surles also shared the story of the dandelion, which represents military families.
“The official flower of the military child is the dandelion,” Surles read. “Why? Because the plant puts down roots almost anywhere, and its almost impossible to destroy. It’s an unpretentious plant, yet good looking. It’s a survivor in a broad range of climates. Military children bloom everywhere the wind carries them. They are hardy and upright. Their roots are strong, cultivated deeply in the culture of the military, planted swiftly and surely. They’re ready to fly in the breezes that take them to new adventures, new lands and new friends.”
Surles then passed out to all board members a list of all the activities in the individual schools that highlighted The Month of the Military Child.
Some of those activities included:
Marbury High School
- A map that students can mark all the places they have lived as a military family
- A Wall of Honor for photos of military parents
Prattville High School
- A banner being placed at the front of the school honoring military families
- Provide bracelets to students of a military family that say, Kids Serve Too
Pine Level Elementary School
- A military appreciation banner
- Taking a photo of military students and placing on Instagram
Prattville Intermediate School
- A military parents’ lunch
- A military child shoutout
Prattville Primary School
- Students and their active military parents as Grand Marshalls of the school’s Bunny Hop
- School is encouraged to wear purple
Marbury Middle School
- Military Child Spirit Week
- Crazy Camo Day
Prattville Elementary School
- Dandelion Project
Prattville Kindergarten
- Post a thank you with a photo of the military student on the school’s website
Prattville Jr High School
- A goody bag for each military student
- Wearing purple to show support
Billingsley School
- Wearing purple to show support
- Post a thank you with a photo of the military student on the school’s website
Daniel Pratt Elementary School
- School-wide dress-up days
- Yard signs recognizing military children
“Through the various activities and events planned during this month across our school district, we are able to celebrate these young heroes and applaud them for their sacrifices and their bravery,” Surles said. “To all of our military families and especially our military children, Autauga County Schools say ‘Thank you for your service.’”
