'Purple Up Day' Celebrates Children Of Military Families
Friday, April 12, was Purple Up Day, and to celebrate, Bourne Public Schools and the Massachusetts Military Interstate Children’s Compact Commission came together to hold an event in support of children of military families at Bourne Intermediate School.
The Military Interstate Children’s Compact Commission (MIC3) is the governing body of the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children. The collaborative’s mission is to ease the educational transitions of school-age, military-connected students attending public schools and Department of Defense schools worldwide.
Purple Up Day always falls in April—designated as the Month of the Military Child—and is celebrated in communities throughout each state by wearing purple to honor military children.
“It’s not purple because Bourne loves purple,” Superintendent Kerri Anne Quinlan-Zhou joked at a recent school committee meeting, explaining that purple was chosen because it is a combination of US Army green, Marine Corps red, Coast Guard, Air Force, Space Force and Navy blue, and represents military children from all branches.
“This hasn’t happened in Bourne that I know of,” the superintendent added.
Bourne is home to Joint Base Cape Cod, and more than 100 students who are part of military families attend Bourne Public Schools. According to MIC3, most military students will attend six to nine different schools from kindergarten to 12th grade—which is three times higher than the average student.
“Bourne Public Schools aims to create a welcoming environment where military children can feel a sense of belonging,” Dr. Zhou said in a press release from the district, “and we recognize the importance of honoring the sacrifice and unique experiences that military families endure when one or both parents are serving our country. I’m proud of our students who received the recognition they deserve.”
At the event, Bourne children of military parents and their families gathered at Bourne Intermediate School. Following a welcome from the superintendent, students sang an a cappella rendition of the national anthem, and MIC3 Massachusetts Commissioner John Clarke Orzalli presented the governor’s proclamation. He is also a retired US Navy rear admiral.
Attendees got to hear testimonials from students in Bourne with family in the military, including 5th grader William Curtis, 4th grader Madison Hamel and 3rd grader Becca Grimes, each of whom spoke about their experiences with frequent moves around the country.
“I have lived in three different states myself,” Becca said. “I was born in Maryland, and then we moved to Connecticut. While in Connecticut, my dad went overseas to Bahrain, and it was a long 13 months without him. My favorite thing about being a military kid is making new friends and living in new places.”
Later, all military students were presented certificates that recognized the support of their loved ones in the armed forces, and students then conducted a performance of US military service songs. Closing remarks were made by BIS Principal Jane Norton.
Superintendent Appointed To State Council
Dr. Zhou has been appointed to serve as a member of the State Council to the Interstate Commission on Educational Opportunities for Military Children, according to a recent press release from the school district.
The commission works to assist military-connected students to overcome the challenges associated with moving frequently, and to ensure that their credits follow as they transition to a new district. The MIC3—one of the hosts of Purple Up Day—is made up of commission members and ex-officio representatives from all 50 states.
“I am honored to have been appointed to the MIC3,” Dr. Zhou said. “At Bourne Public Schools, we strongly value our longstanding relationship with our partner Joint Base Cape Cod. I am very grateful for the opportunity to advocate for military connected children in Bourne, as well as across the state.”
The Massachusetts Commission on which Dr. Zhou now serves, the announcement said, includes the state education commissioner, representatives of the Department and Defense, military families and veterans, a state legislator and school superintendent. Dr. Zhou was asked to join this year and was officially appointed in February.
“We are pleased that Governor Healey has appointed Bourne School Superintendent Quinlan-Zhou to the State Council of MIC3,” said Rear Admiral Orzalli (ret.), who is chairman of MIC3 State Council, in the press release. “She brings a wealth of experience and passion in dealing with transfers of Military Connected Students. We look forward to working with her to further the mission of MIC3 in Massachusetts to address the challenges of military children and their frequent relocations. It allows for uniform treatment as military children transfer between school districts in member states.”