April 25 was a sea of purple at North Royalton Middle School (NRMS), as students and staff came together to celebrate Purple Up Day and honor military-connected children in our school community.
Purple Up Day, held each April during the Month of the Military Child, is a national initiative that recognizes the strength, resilience, and sacrifices of children in military families. At NRMS, this meaningful day was part of a weeklong celebration of learning, gratitude, and community spirit.
Throughout the week, students learned about the experiences of military children during morning announcements and through informational slides displayed around the building. They discovered the significance of the dandelion as a symbol of military kids' resilience, and the reasons behind the Purple Star School designation that NRMS proudly holds once again this year.
"With this designation comes responsibility," said Principal Erin Calabrese, reflecting on NRMS’s renewed Purple Star Award status. "It means showing up for our students in a way that acknowledges the unique lives they lead, and I know our school community is always ready to rise to that challenge."
On Friday, students and staff were invited to wear purple — a color that symbolizes all branches of the military united — to visibly show support and appreciation for their classmates connected to the armed services. The halls were filled with purple shirts, decorations, and spirit.
"This kind of day is about more than a dress-up color," said Calabrese. "It's about community and understanding. It’s about telling our military families, ‘We see you. We support you.’"