Schools honor ‘Month of the Military Child’

At Rainbow Elementary School, kindergartners through sixth-graders with a family member currently or previously in military service stamped their handprints to create an American flag for “Month of the Military Child.” CONTRIBUTED

MADISON – Students across Madison observed “Month of the Military Child” during April.

More than 400 students in Madison City Schools have a parent or parents who serve in the military as active duty, National Guard or Reserves, Cindy V. Davis said. Davis is District At-Risk Counselor/Grant Administrator.

Counselors and Student 2 Student (S2S) members coordinated special activities on campus. April 15 was “Purple Up! Day” to acknowledge military students. The color purple combines signature colors for all military branches.

At Rainbow Elementary School, morning announcements included facts about military branches. On Fridays, each branch’s anthem was played as students stood for their affiliated branch.

Also, Rainbow students with any military connection traced their hands on red, white and blue paper. Candice Taylor and Becky Thompson helped students arrange the handprints to form an oversized American flag.

At Mill Creek Elementary School, Jason Denny, a school parent preparing to deploy, led a ceremony at the school’s flagpole. Military-affiliated students received “Strong” bracelets and certificates. Melissa Butler and Raley Fountain supervised the events.

Students at Columbia Elementary School conducted “Meet Us at the Mess Hall.” Youngsters invited their parent or guardian in the military to join them for breakfast in the cafeteria, according to Candice Taylor and Cindy Perry.

At Heritage Elementary School, students wrote letters to soldiers and military personnel to explain why someone they know is their military hero. Melissa Butler and Demetria Freeman managed the observances. Heritage’s televised “Morning Show” included student interviews.

Hallway monitors at Liberty Middle School displayed slides recognizing soldiers. Benita Tunstill and Leigh Adams arranged ice cream social for the Lions. At Discovery Middle School, students honored family and friends’ names on dog tags. Melissa Grayson and Sara Baragona then exhibited dog tags in the building.

At a special assembly, Madison Mayor Troy Trulock, State Sen. Bill Holtzclaw and counselor Patty Piro, representing military spouses, spoke at Bob Jones High School. Bridget Drummond and Amy Thaxton coordinated the effort.

James Clemens High School conducted a fundraiser for “Children of Fallen Patriots.” Meleighsa McLaughlin and Maruso Setta led activities.