Monterey, CA - As the nation prepares to celebrate the Day of the Military Child on April 15, 2024, schools within the Monterey Peninsula Unified School District are gearing up to honor and support the children of military families in their communities.
Among the schools leading the charge are La Mesa School, Marshall Elementary School, and Monte Vista TK-8, which have been designated as 2024 California Purple Star Program schools by the California Department of Education. These schools have demonstrated exceptional commitment to supporting military-connected students and families, earning them recognition as Purple Star Schools.
With approximately 14% of MPUSD students attending from military families, our district understands the unique challenges these children face, including frequent moves and transitions. To address these challenges, MPUSD and its military-connected schools have prioritized the identification and support of military-connected students and their families.
"We are extremely honored to receive the Purple Star designation for three of our schools," said Superintendent PK Diffenbaugh. "This recognition underscores our ongoing commitment to supporting the needs of our military-connected students and families."
As part of their efforts to support military children, our schools engage in various initiatives, including coordinating with military family life counselors, offering welcome programs and support groups, and providing extensive support for students with exceptional needs.
"This recognition honors our school community's ongoing efforts to support our military-connected students and their families," said La Mesa School Principal Julie Alderete.
On April 15th, our schools will join communities across the nation in honoring military children for their resilience, sacrifice, and courage. They will celebrate the contributions and sacrifices of military families and reaffirm their commitment to supporting them.
As Day of the Military Child approaches, the designation of La Mesa School, Marshall Elementary School, and Monte Vista TK-8 as Purple Star Schools serves as a reminder of the ongoing efforts to support military-connected families within the Monterey Peninsula Unified School District.