Wayne County Public Schools Show Their Purple Pride!

Wayne County Public Schools (WCPS) celebrated Purple Up! Day on Friday, with students, teachers, staff, parents, and community members donning purple in support of military-connected students. This initiative was part of the school district’s recognition of April as the “Month of the Military Child.”

Military-connected students face unique challenges, such as frequent moves and parent deployments, making events like Purple Up! crucial in showing solidarity and support. WCPS, a North Carolina Purple Star District, actively works to support its approximately 2,000 military-connected students throughout the year.

Various activities took place across the district and Wayne County to mark Purple Up! Day. The downtown Goldsboro fountain turned purple, proclamations were approved by local governing bodies, yard signs were displayed, and door prizes were distributed to schools. Additionally, Seymour Johnson Air Force Base (SJAFB) organized events like a “Chalk Your Military Walk” to show support for military children.

WCPS’s participation in Purple Up! aligns with other school districts in North Carolina, home to a significant military population. The initiative is supported by the Military Child Education Coalition (MCEC), a global non-profit organization dedicated to ensuring quality education for military children.

With military-connected students moving an average of 6-9 times during their K-12 years, initiatives like Purple Up! play a vital role in recognizing and appreciating their service and sacrifice. WCPS’s longstanding membership in MCEC underscores its commitment to supporting military families and children.