Superintendent Arntzen and MIC3 Celebrate Purple Up! Day

• Brian O'Leary
• April 10 2024

HELENA – Superintendent Arntzen, the  Montana Military Interstate Children’s Compact Commission (MIC3), headed by Commissioner Ray Shaw, and Montana recognize military families and military-connected children on April 15, 2024, National Purple Up! Day. The designation of April as the Month of the Military Child acknowledges the significant role military-connected students play in our communities. In 2011, the University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension Military Youth and Family Program started the “Purple Up! for Military Kids” as a visible way to thank military youth for their strength and sacrifice. Purple is the appropriate color for military children from all branches because it represents joint service operations as a combination of Army green, Marine Corps red, and Coast Guard, Air Force, and Navy blue.

“Montana has a rich history of military service and honoring our military families and military-connected children,” said Superintendent Elsie Arntzen. “During Purple Up! Month we focus on the sacrifice that military families continue to make for our great state and our nation. I applaud our Montana Purple Star Schools and Champions for putting our military-connected students first!”

“The Montana Military Interstate Children’s Compact Commission is proud to showcase the committed community members and schools who go above and beyond for our military children and their families,” said  Colonel Ciro E. de la Vega, Commander, 341st Mission Support Group. “Understanding their unique challenges and circumstances, this award is vital in uplifting both our military families and those who continually work to serve them.”

“It takes a village to raise a child is also true for military parents who know raising their children in a safe and nurturing environment is a community effort,” said Retired Brigadier General Brad Livingston. “A robust support system within the military and community culture can ensure the rewards outweigh the challenges. Thankfully, Great Falls Public Schools leadership is committed to serving military students and families with the best possible experience.”

Montana is home to over 6,400 military-connected children with a parent currently serving in the United States Military. There are nearly 3,800 active duty military members in Montana and over 5,700 National Guard and Reserve members. Purple Up! Day will be celebrated on April 18, 2024, in Great Falls to honor Montana’s 2024 Purple Star Schools and Purple Star Champions.

Montana’s 2023-2024 Purple Star School Awardees are:

• Valley Christian School, Missoula, MT (renewal)
• Loy Elementary School, Great Falls, MT (renewal)
• North Middle School, Great Falls, MT (renewal)
• CMR High School, Great Falls, MT (renewal)
• Washington Middle School, Glendive, MT

The 2023- 2024 Purple Star Champion Awardees are:

• Nick Budeski, CMR High School Counselor in Great Falls
• Jamie Williams, CMR High School Librarian and Instructional Coach in Great Falls
• Lisa Sapp, Malmstrom Air Force Base School Liaison in Great Falls

In 2013, MIC3 was adopted by the Montana legislature to remove barriers to educational success imposed on children of military families. The MIC3 is a quasi-governmental entity operating under the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children. With 50 member states and the District of Columbia, the Compact ensures the uniform treatment of military-connected children transferring between states and enrolled in public and U.S. Department of Defense schools.