Okaloosa schools mark Month of the Military Child and note Purple Star district designation

Okaloosa County School District staff highlighted Month of the Military Child activities at the April 14 workshop and said the district is one of five Florida districts to hold the Purple Star District designation.

The designation and monthlong activities matter to the district because Okaloosa has a large military-connected student population; the district said the Purple Star recognition reflects local school and community support for military families.

Mr. Spolsky, who spoke to the board about the observance, said the district embraces the initiative and described a range of school activities that run throughout April. “If you look here, we don't celebrate purple up on one day. Our schools are just so passionate about what this stands for. And we are doing activities all month long to really make all of the youngsters that are in our schools K through 12 feel special,” he said. He told the board that Okaloosa is “one of only five districts in the whole state out of the 67 that have that designation” and said the award reflects school and community efforts.

Mr. Spolsky described Purple Up breakfasts, luncheons, scavenger hunts, JROTC events, certificates and graduation cords for military seniors. He credited community partners and JROTC instructors and described examples of community service and school involvement such as base personnel assisting at Mary Esther Elementary.

No board action was required; staff presented the observance and community partnerships as part of ongoing student-support work.