Arizona Purple Star School Program

The Arizona Department of Education proudly presents the Arizona Purple Star School Program (AZPSS) designation for military-friendly schools in the state. AZPSS honors a school’s dedication to supporting students and families connected to our nation’s armed forces. Designated schools recognize military families’ unique challenges during duty assignment changes or separations and are committed to providing vital transition support to military-connected students. A Purple Star School designation signifies that the school has met all national and state requirements and is crucial in helping military-connected students stay on track to be college, workforce, and life-ready.

April is designated as the Month of the Military Child. Begun in 1986 as part of the Department of Defense commemoration, the month celebrates the important role military children play in the military community, recognizes the sacrifices they make, and applauds the challenges they overcome. In the military, purple symbolizes “jointness,” combining Army green, Coast Guard blue, Air Force blue, Navy blue, Marine Corps red, and Space Force white.

Each year, the Department of Defense and the rest of the nation celebrate April as the Month of the Military Child. MIC3 and each state designate a day during the month-long recognition as “Purple Up! Day.”

The Dandelion

In 1998, adopting an official flower for military brats began as a thread in the alt.culture.military-brats Usenet newsgroup. After a two-month discussion, the dandelion was chosen above other possible flowers during a vote at the Military Brats Registry. Central to the campaign to adopt the dandelion was the idea that its seeds scatter to all corners of the Earth, where they grow and bloom wherever they land.