By Mark McQueen, Superintendent, Bay District Schools
As April unfolds, a month marked by various celebrations, my attention is on our upcoming observance of the Month of the Military Child. This tribute holds a special place in my life as the Superintendent of Bay District Schools, a military child myself, and a proud father to two remarkable military children.
This year, our pride in the Month of the Military Child will be amplified by the incredible honor bestowed upon our district earlier this year. As you may or may not know, we were thrilled to find out that Bay District Schools received 17 Purple Star Schools of Distinction Awards from Governor DeSantis. This recognition speaks volumes about our schools’ unwavering commitment to military families. It was a remarkable achievement, especially considering that only 79 Purple Star Schools of Distinction Awards were awarded this year, with just 200 existing statewide. Moreover, the fact that our other 18 schools are applying for this prestigious recognition highlights the widespread dedication within our district to go above and beyond for our military families.
The Purple Star Schools of Distinction Award signifies that our schools meet and exceed the standards for supporting military-connected students and their families. It is a testament to our exceptional efforts to create an environment that eases military children’s unique challenges.
As we anticipate the celebration of the Month of the Military Child, the significance of this award is expected to become even more profound. On April 15th, designated as #PurpleUpDay, our entire community can support our military children visibly. We encourage people across our community to join us in donning purple on that day, symbolizing our collective gratitude and acknowledgment of the unique challenges faced by these young heroes. We hope to share a plethora of photos on social media using the hashtags #PurpleUp and #BDSPurple, allowing our community to witness the depth of our appreciation.
Our schools plan special events throughout April to honor and celebrate our military students. These occasions are expected to be powerful platforms for our school communities to unite, express appreciation, and foster a supportive environment for our military children. I look forward to attending as many celebrations as possible throughout the month to recognize these exceptional students and their parents or guardians personally.
In addition to these celebrations, we are privileged to host a very special board meeting in early April, featuring command staff from Tyndall Air Force Base, Naval Support Activity Panama City, and the U.S. Coast Guard. Together, we plan to present a resolution supporting our military children, further solidifying the bond between our school district and the military installations in our community.
I extend my heartfelt thanks in advance to our sponsors, Tyndall Federal Credit Union and Gulf Coast State College, for their anticipated unwavering support of our Month of the Military Child activities. Their commitment to recognizing and honoring the contributions of military children will enhance our ability to make that month truly special.
Bay District Schools takes great pride in being military-friendly, and these 17 Purple Star Schools of Distinction Awards are just one part of that ongoing commitment. Our military children exemplify strength, adaptability, and courage as they navigate a lifestyle marked by frequent relocations, adjustments to new schools, and periods of separation from their parents. It is essential for our community to collectively recognize and appreciate their unwavering support for their military families.
Thank you in advance for joining me in celebrating the Month of the Military Child and recognizing these young individuals’ indispensable role in our community.
