A academic. anchor JANUARY FEBRUARY MARCH 2018 IN THIS ISSUE CONNECTING NAVY FAMILIES, COMMANDS AND K-12 SCHOOLS NAVYLIFESW.

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1 A academic anchor JANUARY FEBRUARY MARCH 2018 School Liaison Newsletter addressing educational issues that affect military children in Navy Region Southwest. IN THIS ISSUE Current Events... 1 Deployment Support... 1 Academic Updates/ Legislation Updates... 3 Transition Support... 4 Command, School & Community Connections. 5 Homeschool Linkage Partnerships in Education Post-Secondary Preparation Fleet & Family Support Centers Navy Child & Youth Programs Updates EFMP Connections Special Education Ask a SLO.... Back Cover School Liaison Officer Contacts.... Back Cover CONNECTING NAVY FAMILIES, COMMANDS AND K-12 SCHOOLS NAVYLIFESW.COM/SLO

2 CURRENT EVENTS DEPLOYMENT SUPPORT Our Mission Is YOU Navy Exchange (NEX) Command A-OK Student Reward Program The NEX A-OK Student Reward Program offers all qualified students the opportunity to participate in a quarterly drawing for monetary awards of $2,500, $1,500, $1,000 or $500 for a total of $5,500 per quarter. Eligible students include dependent children of active duty members, reservists and military retirees. Students must be enrolled in first through 12th grades. Dependent children without an individual Dependent Identification Card must be accompanied by their sponsor to submit their entry. Each student may enter only once each grading period and must re-enter with each qualifying report card. Any eligible full-time student having a B grade point average equivalent or better, as determined by their school system, may enter the drawing. Homeschooled students may also qualify with acknowledgement of a B average or equivalent record of accomplishment. To enter the drawing, stop by any NEX with a current report card or progress report and have a NEX associate verify eligibility. Then fill out an entry card and obtain an A-OK ID which entitles the student to discount coupons for NEX products and services. Fleet & Family Support Centers (FFSC) are here to support commands, Sailors, and families with every element of deployment support. The following programs are available by request, and can be brought to commands or Family Readiness Groups/family events. Additionally, individual sessions are available to talk about the secrets to prepare or thrive during deployment and homecoming periods, practical and emotional secrets. Pre-Deployment Readiness Briefs Thriving during Deployment Workshops for Family Groups Command Return & Reunion Program for Returning Deployers Homecoming Workshop for Family Groups Departure and/or Homecoming Day FFSC Resource Tables Command Individual Augmentee Coordinator (CIAC) Support Consultations for Individual Augmentees (IAs) & Families Mobilization & De-Mobilization Briefs for Reserve Personnel Operational Stress Control Training Call to speak to an FFSC Deployment Consultant today! ONE CALL SERVES ALL! For 24/7 appointment scheduling for, clinical counseling, relocation assistance, resume assistance, and financial consultations at any Navy Region Southwest FFSC call Mr. Poe and Friends Discuss Family Reunion After Deployment This video helps families deal with deployment separation stress in healthy, positive ways by developing resiliency and coping mechanisms in children and their families and decreasing community stress and family dysfunction. This kit covers all phases of deployment, focusing on family integration. Written and performed by children and their parents who have experienced deployment, it presents common scenarios that most families face and can be used in proactive community family support training related to deployment separation issues. Share it with military (active duty, National Guard or reserve) and civilian families, schools, churches and other civilian support organizations. AVAILABLE AT MILITARY ONESOURCE! 7Cproduct_id=47 1 Academic Anchor JANUARY-FEBRUARY-MARCH Navy Region Southwest School Liaison Newsletter

3 DEPLOYMENT SUPPORT Supporting Your Military Children Through the Deployment Cycle As parents, we want to be good role models for our children. When word of a deployment comes, you ll get a chance to show your kids what it takes to be a good guardian of your family. Your children will be looking at your lead and leaning on your strength. Here are steps you can take to create your own deployment plan to help your kids through the deployment cycle. DEPLOYMENT PLAN FOR KIDS BEFORE DEPLOYMENT While you and your partner are planning your deployment, dealing with deployment logistics, finances and mission prep, as a parent, you ll also want to prepare your children. PREPARE FOR QUESTIONS and emotions your children may have. Here are some tips: Talk to other parents who have deployed to get a sense of questions kids ask, how to respond and how much to share. Think about the best ways to explain military deployment to your own children. Factor in their ages, their personalities and how they respond to surprises. Consider reaching out to your Military and Family Support Center, a military and family life counselor or chaplain or contact Military OneSource at Alert your children s schools, teachers and coaches about your upcoming deployment, so they have insight of the changes facing your family. PREPARE YOUR CHILDREN. Remember, children may not understand why a parent is leaving and they may be afraid about the change. When you talk with your kids: Talk to them in a way they ll understand. What is deployment and why your job is taking a parent away. Much of this is based on their age and what they can absorb. Let your kids ask questions. Answer questions as simply and honestly as you can. Reassure your children that things will stay as routine as possible at home. Stay positive and upbeat, and assure them that you love them very much. Spend one-on-one time with each child before you deploy. Plan how you ll keep in touch with them while you are deployed, and how they can stay in touch with you. Alert them that sometimes they may not hear from you for a few days. Discuss potential changes to household routines, the importance of listening to the parent at home and that household rules remain the same. Introduce them to Military Kids Connect, an online community for military children (ages 6 to 17) that provides access to age appropriate resources to support them in dealing with deployment and other aspects of military life, or order the video Military Youth Coping with Separation: When Family Members Deploy. For younger children, order Sesame Workshop s Talk, Listen, Connect: Deployments, Homecomings, Changes to get support for your preschooler from Elmo and friends. Ask school-age kids to help you pack, and make sure they get a chance to say goodbye, but keep the goodbyes brief. Expect your kids to have differing reactions to the news. They may be moody, irritable, act out and test the limits. Remember, this is normal. Cut them some slack. It s your job to remain positive and be a role model. DURING DEPLOYMENT Kids are kids. With one parent gone, you can expect your children to test the limits. As the deployed parent, you need to provide as much backup to your partner as possible, even if you re half way around the world. If you re deployed, stay in regular contact as much as possible. Let your family know that even though there will be times you can t be in contact; you think of them daily. Send letters or s, and if you have more than one child, send each personalized notes when you can. Stay connected, as it will make your transition back easier. If you are at home, stick to your usual schedule as much as possible, and create new routines for sending care packages or writing letters. Set aside a time to help children discuss what they hear on the news or from other kids. Maintain household rules. Don t let your kids get away with behaviors you normally would not tolerate. Heads up to deployed spouses: back up your partner who is maintaining order on the home front. AFTER DEPLOYMENT The more effort you put in before and during deployment in helping your kids adjust to the changes, the easier the transition back will likely be. Even with preparation, your children may have a mix of emotions upon a deployed parent s return. Tread lightly upon your return. The returning parent can help make re-entry smoother for the family by staying close to home in the days and weeks upon arrival home. Watch out for implementing big changes shortly after you re return. Ease back into routines. If you re the parent who remained home, don t dump chores and responsibilities on your returning partner. Allow some space and over time step up the involvement of the returning parent with meals, bedtime routines, play and discipline. Don t freak out if your kids may need some alone time. Remember, adults need this too. Keep in mind, at any time you can turn to Military OneSource for help. They offer special programs to help you and your family, including the Child and Youth Behavioral Military and Family Life Counseling Program services. With Military OneSource, you have access to free, confidential non-medical counseling if you or your children need to talk during any part of the deployment cycle. Navy Region Southwest School Liaison Newsletter JANUARY-FEBRUARY-MARCH 2018 Academic Anchor 2

4 ACADEMIC UPDATES / LEGISLATION UPDATES NEVADA Nevada s Read by Grade 3 is Making Strides SB 391, Nevada s Read by Grade 3 Act, became effective July 1, This statute was designed to dramatically improve student achievement by ensuring that all students will be able to read proficiently by the end of the 3rd grade. SB 391 requires all public school districts and charter schools to develop local K-3 literacy plans aimed at improving the literacy of all K-3 grade level students. This statute also requires every elementary schools in Nevada to designate a reading learning strategist to provide literacybased professional learning, coaching, and guidance for all K-4 teachers at the site. SB 391 emphasizes the implementation of early intervention measures in reading achievement for all K-3 students who are determined to be struggling in reading. Nevada s Read by Grade 3 program recently underwent an analysis by the RMC Research Corporation that found that the program is making an impact on the reading proficiency of Nevada s kindergarten through third grade students. This study demonstrates broad support for the program by our teachers and indicates that the foundation is being laid to make Nevada the fastest improving state in the nation in early literacy, said Steve Canavero, Ph.D., Superintendent of Public Instruction. RMC describes several systemic impacts of Read by Grade 3.The first includes how Nevada s statewide requirement of local literacy plans has impacted the state. One Nevada Department of Education (NDE) literacy expert describes it by noting how a uniform network that includes a commonality of language, approach, and programs and services has emerged across the entire state. Both NDE and local leaders cite the development of strong effective relationships as a key contributor to the initial success of this program. One NDE staff member captured this well by stating how a program is only as good as the relationships you form. Local leaders listed several layers of support where NDE made this possible. They described NDE s support through guidance documents, webinars, site visits, and opportunities to network across the state. RMC researchers also captured the impact that Nevada s Read by Grade 3 program has had on teachers (including local learning strategists). Highlights of the teachers surveyed included: 77 percent of teachers agreed that an effort to engage parents of struggling readers has increased. 75 percent of teachers agreed that the assessments they use help improve their instruction to meet the needs of all students. 74 percent of teachers support the Nevada Read by Grade Three requirement to eliminate social promotion to help ensure that struggling readers get the time they need with intensive interventions to be successful in fourth grade and beyond. 72 percent of teachers agreed that the Learning Strategist provides support that helps them improve their reading instruction. A sampling of Nevada teacher comments included: I think it has shined a light on students that may have in the past slid by into the next grade level. It has also encouraged more parent communication. I think this initiative has helped schools be more aware of the struggles teachers have from day to day with the diversity of our learners and has at least started a new conversation of teaching reading to these learners. The RMC study cites how both school districts and charter schools across the state have begun to reduce the percentage of K-3 students who have been identified as demonstrating a deficiency in reading. With extensive K-3 educator training combined with targeted interventions for all of these students, RMC states that Nevada s initial data is encouraging. With this continued trend in students reading performance, Nevada is certainly on track to ensuring that all of its K-3 students are proficient in reading by the end of third grade. This is critical since national research confirms that children who leave third grade without the ability to read at grade level are at a terrible disadvantage for the rest of their lives. Nearly 90 percent of students who fail to earn a high school diploma were struggling readers in third grade. This issue not only presents an educational problem, it also presents a multitude of economic problems. High school dropouts are not eligible for 90 percent of the jobs in the current economy. Statistics further demonstrate how these dropouts make up nearly half of all heads of households who are recipients of welfare in the U.S. RMC researchers have conducted this research in Nevada, North Carolina, South Carolina, Colorado, and Ohio. Their aim has been to capture the impact that Read by Grade 3 programs are having across the nation. Their findings include perceptions of key stakeholders including literacy leaders at the state level (state departments) and at the local level (local school districts and charter schools). Their work has also captured specific impacts that this program is having on entire educational systems, K-3 educators, and, especially, on beginning readers. CALIFORNIA NEW CALIFORNIA Legislation, effective January 1, 2018 SB 455 SB 455 will allow all military families to benefit from pre-transfer enrollment by clarifying that children of military parents can transfer to any school district where they will be residing, so long as they provide proof of residence within 10 days of the prescribed date of the Permanent Change of Station order. When school-age children of service members know which school they will be attending and have the assurance that they are registered for the appropriate classes, unneeded stress is removed from the transition process while ensuring them opportunities for a better transition and smoother progression on their educational path. More Information can be found online: Client.xhtml?bill_id= SB455 AB 365: AB 365 extends to students from military families certain rights regarding exemptions from local graduation requirements and acceptance of partial credit which are currently afforded to other groups of highly mobile students. More information can be found online: billnavclient.xhtml?bill_id= ab365 3 Academic Anchor JANUARY-FEBRUARY-MARCH Navy Region Southwest School Liaison Newsletter

5 TRANSITION SUPPORT Anchored4Life Anchored4Life is a resiliency program created by the Trevor Romain Company to help new students have an easier transition from one school to another (or one CYP facility to another). The program is funded by the Navy and is currently in 30 schools in NRSW, with plans to expand into high schools and middle schools worldwide by the year The programming encourages school/cyp-wide participation with an emphasis on character building, coping skills, and team building while focusing on helping military children transition to new schools and communities. Since transitions (to include deployment support) are a normal part of every child s life, teaching how to transition and how to support transitions are vital components for healthy social and emotional growth and development of every child. This program is designed to integrate with the CYES School Based Programming (SBP)/CYP Youth Programs while meeting the needs of the individual school/cyp associated with military children. For more information, contact your School Liaison Officer. MFLCs-Military Family Life Counselors in NRSW schools! The Department of Defense (DoD) is committed to supporting military families. In keeping with this commitment, the office of the Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Military Community & Family Policy (ODUSD MC & FP) established the Military and Family Life Counseling (MFLC) program to provide private and confidential non-medical, short-term, situational, problem-solving counseling services. This non-medical counseling is designed to address issues that occur across the military lifestyle and help Service Members and their families cope with the normal reactions to the stressful/adverse situations created by deployments and reintegration. The MFLC Program utilizes professional, licensed and credentialed counselors to support and augment installation Child and Youth Programs (CYP), Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) schools, local education agencies (LEA), DoDEA/CYP summer programs, National Military Family Association Operation Purple Camps, Guard/Reserve Camps, and Operation Military Kids Camps. For more information, contact your School Liaison Officer. Will you be moving soon? Before you leave Notify your child s teacher when you get orders Notify the school office 3-4 weeks prior to move Request copies of: Last report card Unofficial Transcript IEP On last day of school, collect requested copies and give the contact information of the new school to the outgoing school Contact your Installation School Liaison Officer (SLO) with any questions and to get the contact information for the SLO at your new location. All CNRSW SLO s are listed on the back cover of the Academic Anchor. PREPARING TO START A NEW SCHOOL Contact the SLO at new installation Ask for information on local schools, academic performance, special programs, housing/school assignments Research schools that will best fit family s needs Contact housing to assist finding residence in schools attendance area Contact Navy SLO again to learn about transition programs at schools and the CYP Youth Sponsorship Program Contact new school to notify them of student s upcoming arrival. Ask about required registration materials. Most require: Proof of residence Immunization records Birth certificate Proof of prior school enrollment If student has an IEP, notify new school to ensure accommodations can be made on first day for student MILITARY INTERSTATE CHILDREN S COMPACT COMMISSION WHAT IS THE COMPACT? Developed in 2006, the Military Interstate Children s Compact was adopted by all 50 states, the District of Columbia and the Department of Defense Education Activity. The Compact eases the educational challenges that military children encounter, and supports uniform treatment as they transfer between school districts in member states. Note: The Compact only applies to public schools. STUDENTS COVERED Children of the following: Active duty members of the uniformed services, including members of the National Guard and Reserve on active duty orders (Title 10) Members or veterans who are medically discharged or retired for one year Members who die on active duty, for a period of one year after death Uniformed members of the Commissioned Corps of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and United States Public Health Services (USPHS) ENROLLMENT Educational Records Immunizations Kindergarten & First Grade Entrance Age PLACEMENT & ATTENDANCE Course & Educational Program Placement Special Education Services MISSION Through the Interstate Compact, MIC3 addresses key educational transition issues encountered by children of military families. SOME OF THE ISSUES COVERED Placement Flexibility Absence Related to Deployment Activities GRADUATION Waiving courses required for graduation if similar course work has been completed Flexibility in accepting state exit or end-of- STUDENTS NOT COVERED Children of the following: Inactive members of the National Guard and Reserves (Not Title 10) Members now retired not covered above Veterans not covered above Other Department of Defense personnel, federal agency civilians and contract employees not defined as active duty Members other than the uniformed personnel of NOAA and USPHS course exams, national achievement tests, or alternative testing in lieu of testing requirements for graduation in the receiving state Allowing a student to receive a diploma from the sending school instead of the receiving school CONTACT US AT 1776 Avenue of the States, Lexington, KY mic3info@csg.org Navy Region Southwest School Liaison Newsletter JANUARY-FEBRUARY-MARCH 2018 Academic Anchor 4

6 COMMAND, SCHOOL & COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS Akers STEAM Night During summer break, two teachers from Admiral Akers Elementary School, Ms. Orosco and Ms. Huff, participated in professional development at the US Naval Academy SET Sail STEM Teacher Program, and the Missile Defense Agency STEM Academy. With support from Akers administration, teaching staff and Sailors from the Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training Unit Lemoore, Ms Orosco and Ms Huff opened the schools campus to the entire NAS Lemoore community for a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics) night in November. Students explored STEAM activities including rocket launching, aeronautics, coding, DNA extraction and more. Somerset Sailors Become Gym Teachers for a Day Story by Petty Officer 2nd Class Jacob Allison USS SOMERSET (LPD 25) Story by USS Somerset Public Affairs Sailors from amphibious transport dock ship USS Somerset (LPD 25) spent their morning as volunteer gym teachers at the Nestor Language Academy Charter School in San Diego as part of a community outreach event, Dec Sailors were supporting the school during a professional development training day, allowing more teachers to attend the event while the Sailors led students in physical education, games, and activities with the support of part-time teachers. It helps us tremendously because it frees up our teachers, said Nestor Academy s assistant principal, Beatriz Carlos. To have the Sailors as extra bodies out there to motivate the kids, to supervise, and to get them playing and doing aerobics activities really helps us. For the Sailors, this was an opportunity to be involved in the local community and show face at a local school. Since the city of San Diego does so much for us, we re happy to come back and engage with the youth here and help to show them that we re just like them, said Religious Programs Specialist 2nd Class Sylvester Bryant, from Dallas, one of Somerset s community events coordinators. They get to see that we re just regular people. The Sailors led students in games of dodgeball and kickball, and also gave them a taste of military training with marching and calisthenics. The kids are really excited, said Bryant. They re over here doing pushups with the Sailors, and they re playing kickball and dodgeball and just really having a blast. Sailors from Somerset have participated at several events with Nestor Academy in the past, and plan to participate in more events in the future. Any time we re able to bring members of the community into the school, it s just a link for our students, said Carlos. It helps to validate what they re doing, that this is something real that will go into the community. Somerset is currently undergoing a planned maintenance availability at General Dynamics NASSCO Shipyard in San Diego. For more on USS Somerset, follow us on Facebook at 5 Academic Anchor JANUARY-FEBRUARY-MARCH Navy Region Southwest School Liaison Newsletter

7 HOMESCHOOL LINKAGE Resources to Enrich Your Homeschool Curriculum With so many educational tools offered on the Internet, it can be difficult to find ones that will actually broaden your student s horizons and deepen understanding of subject matter. ART Google Art and Culture ( Metropolitan Museum of Art s MetKids program ( Smithsonian American Art Museum ( Sumo Paint ( FOREIGN LANGUAGE University of Texas Cultural Interviews ( International Children s Library ( Lang Media ( Word Reference ( LANGUAGE ARTS ABCya ( Making Books ( My Vocabulary ( Seussville ( SAS Curriculum Pathways ( Vocabulary.com ( American Public Media s Writer s Almanac ( LITERACY/POETRY Luminarium: Anthology of English Literature ( Poetry app ( Stickfigurehamlet.com ( MATH Greg Tang Math ( Math Play ( SAS Curriculum Pathways ( Starfall.com ( Machinarium ( Math Open Reference ( Virtual Nerd ( SCIENCE Centre of Cell ( Dynamo s Den: BBC ( Hubble Site ( Learn. Genetics ( MIT Open Courseware ( Molecularium ( Science Buddies ( Science Daily ( The Visual Anatomy Free app ( SOCIAL STUDIES Ben s Guide to U.S. Government ( Digital History ( National Geographic Education ( TIME for Kids ( Birmingham Civil Rights Institute ( C-SPAN Classroom ( Nobel Prize ( Smithsonian ( *List of resources provided by Sports Activities Warrior Physical Training Facility February 8, 2018* February 22, 2018* April 5, 2018 May 17, 2018 September 13, 2018 Homeschool FITNESS Open to all students in grades K-12 All activities start at 1:00 pm Fitness Activities Warrior Physical Training Facility January 25, 2018 March 8, 2018 April 19, 2018 May 31, 2018 September 27, 2018 NAVY CYP Pool Activities Desert Springs Pool February 8, 2018* February 22, 2018* March 22, 2018 May 3, 2018 August 30, 2018 Sports activities will include volleyball, basketball, etc. Fitness activities will emphasize cardio, weights and endurance. Pool activities will be in the pool and on the pool deck. For more information, please call or , FALNSLO@navy.mil *Activities subject to change to a different location. Please check the MWR Calendar in December, June and July for fun, family friendly events. Navy Region Southwest School Liaison Newsletter JANUARY-FEBRUARY-MARCH 2018 Academic Anchor 6

8 PARTNERSHIPS IN EDUCATION (PIE) The Partnership in Education (PIE) Program is designed to encourage and increase support of the local schools through a Navy volunteer effort. This Program offers opportunities for military members attached to commands within Navy Region Southwest to give their time as volunteers at local schools. The Navy Partnership in Education program contributes military resources and services to help nurture the intellectual, emotional, social, and physical growth of children and youth. In addition, this program forges a partnership between commands and the local schools and increases the awareness of the US military s mission. BE A STAR RALLY World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) supports the troops in various capacities, one of which was hosting its Be a STAR Rally at Hancock Elementary School in San Diego. This anti-bullying assembly had WWE Superstars talk to the entire school about types of bullying and treating others with respect. PIE with HANCOCK ELEMENTARY Hancock Elementary in San Diego Unified School District partnered with YMCA to honor the school s military families by hosting a Thanksgiving dinner for the families and students. A group of Naval Base San Diego Sailors joined in to help prepare and serve the food. 7 Academic Anchor JANUARY-FEBRUARY-MARCH Navy Region Southwest School Liaison Newsletter

9 Partnerships in Education Your Command Can Be a Partner in Education! Navy Region Southwest School partnerships can be beneficial for Navy commands and area schools. Sailors get an opportunity to connect with their community while earning community service hours which can be included in evaluations, and toward earning the Volunteer Service Medal. The benefits for the schools are insurmountable. Students build positive relationships with our service members and feel additionally connected to their military community. Ultimately it raises awareness of the benefits of working with the military community and helps to support our military children in education. Command Support Opportunities Provide Navy personnel to be guest speakers at schools. Plan field trips to the ship to reward students for academics and citizenship. Establish a pen pal project or video project with students while ship is deployed. Enhance the students knowledge of world geography by providing mapping activities that track the ship s travels. Provide a military presence at assemblies, running clubs, or special events when ship is in port. Provide tutoring and extra help during homework clubs. Assist with school self-help projects. Share an expertise or hobby with students. These are only a few ways to get involved! Contact the School Liaison Program at Navy Region Southwest School Liaison Newsletter JANUARY-FEBRUARY-MARCH 2018 Academic Anchor 8

10 POST-SECONDARY PREPARATION Scholarships for Military Spouses & Children For many military spouses, pursuing an education is an uphill battle. In a recent study by the Department of Defense, 43% of military spouses expressed an interest in attending school; however, many stated that the steep cost education and financial difficulties were some of the main issues holding them back. As reported by the Journal of Financial Counseling and Planning, more than one-third of military families say they struggle to pay the bills every month due to many aspects of military life that affect financial management, including frequent relocation, a high unemployment rate among military spouses, and a difficult transition into civilian life. Unique Challenges Spouses of service members face additional challenges in the workforce, mainly because military families relocate around 10 times more than the average civilian family. Not only does the deployment itself create a significant strain on finances, but frequent relocation makes it difficult for these individuals to continuously attend school and hold down a high-salary job. While some military spouses manage to find work in fields such as teaching, nursing, and other healthcare occupations that require state certification, they may find that this certification is not valid in certain states when it is time to relocate. Military children likewise, experience adversity due to the nature of their family situation. The deployment of a parent can result in extreme emotional distress, and children of active duty service members are more prone to develop behavioral health conditions when compared to children in the general population. Due to the high relocation rate among military families, many children end up suffering academically. The Department of Defense reports that on average, military children attend between seven to nine different schools before graduating. A 2011 study from the RAND Center for Military Health and Policy Research found that children with parents who had been deployed 19 months or more since 2001 had lower achievement scores across all school subjects. Given all of these challenges, access to financial resources is necessary for many spouses and other dependents who have sacrificed their education or cannot afford to pursue higher education a crucial path for those who plan on securing wellpaying jobs and upward mobility. Federal Financial Aid Assistance Programs Several federally funded programs are available to help military spouses and children pay for a college education. The programs are designed to assist dependents in meeting the cost of tuition, books, fees and/or living expenses. Military Spouse Careers Advancement Accounts The MyCAA Scholarship program is a workforce development program providing up to $4,000 of tuition assistance to eligible military spouses pursuing degree programs, licenses, certification, or credentials leading to employment in high-demand, highgrowth occupations. The program is open to spouses of service members on active duty in pay grades E-1 to E-5, W-1 to W-2 and O-1 to O-2. Recipients must be able to complete their coursework while their military sponsor is on Title 10 military orders. Post-9/11 GI Bill This is a VA-administered program established to provide service members and their dependents with up to 36 months of education training. Eligible servicemen must currently be on active duty, have at least 90 days of aggregate active duty service after Sept. 10, 2001, or have been honorably discharged or discharged because of a service-related disability. All unused benefits can be transferred to family members for programs including undergraduate and graduate programs, vocational training, licensing and certification reimbursement, and on-thejob training. Survivors and Dependents Educational Assistance Program Survivors and dependents of veterans who are permanently and totally disabled due to a service-related condition, or those who died while on active duty, are eligible for up to 45 months of education and training benefits. The assistance can be used for undergraduate and graduate degree programs, certificate programs, apprenticeship, and on-the-job training. Children of veterans wishing to use this benefit must be between the ages of 18 and 26. In-State Tuition Active service members and their dependents making use of the GI Bill can attend any out-of-state public college or university while paying the in-state tuition rate. The current maximum tuition benefit is just over $20,000. Military families will have to come up with any additional funding for private or public universities costing more than that. 9 Academic Anchor JANUARY-FEBRUARY-MARCH Navy Region Southwest School Liaison Newsletter

11 POST-SECONDARY PREPARATION Federal Student Aid TIPS AND TRICKS Gathering the correct information, applying the right strategy, and making your application stand out are all to improving your chances of getting a scholarship. Here are five tips to consider as you begin the application process. Find the Right Scholarship for You Make sure to read the fine print to ascertain that you are eligible for the scholarship to which you are applying. Compile Your Accomplishments Identify and note your strengths and accomplishments in a list. Be sure to give the list and your resume to any referees, who may work your tidbits into their submissions. A Great Essay Defines You Many scholarship applications require applicants to submit an essay, which gives the reviewers insight into who you are and why you are deserving of their beneficence. Get in the habit of writing as many as you can to fine-tune your skills and make a lasting impression. Complete the Application in Full Make sure to submit all of the documents required, neatly provide all the information, follow the deadlines and mail application to the right address. Apply to as Many Scholarships as You Can Play the numbers game. The more applications that you send out, the higher your chances of getting a scholarship are. For more information, and a list of available scholarships, visit: scholarships-for-military-dependents/ On Nov. 29, 2017, Dr. A. Wayne Johnson, chief operating officer of the U.S. Department of Education s office of Federal Student Aid (FSA), announced the Next Generation (Next Gen) Financial Services Environment, which will modernize the technology and operational components that support the federal student aid programs. Students, parents, and borrowers will begin seeing meaningful improvements in the customer experience in early 2018, with significant technology and operational infrastructure changes throughout Here are the highlights of the planned improvements: SPRING 2018: FSA will launch its mobile platform to allow students and parents to complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA ) form on a mobile device. FALL 2018: fafsa.gov will be integrated into StudentAid.gov, making it easier than ever to apply for financial aid directly from FSA s leading website; this integration also will let FAFSA applicants switch seamlessly between mobile and web while filling out the application, enabling students and parents to apply for financial aid wherever they are and on a device of their choosing. TIME-FRAME STILL TO BE DETERMINED: FSA eventually will consolidate all of its customer-facing websites into a single, user-friendly hub to complement the new mobile platform and give students, parents, and borrowers a seamless experience from application through repayment ONGOING: FSA is researching dozens of world-class financial services customer experiences from web and mobile to middleware, data processing, analytics, storage, and hosting capabilities; through this market research, FSA is refining its strategy to develop and implement a new loan servicing platform to benefit federal student loan borrowers. FOR MORE INFORMATION: visit: Navy Region Southwest School Liaison Newsletter JANUARY-FEBRUARY-MARCH 2018 Academic Anchor 10

12 FLEET & FAMILY SUPPORT CENTERS EFMP FAMILY CONNECTION Navy Region Southwest s Exceptional Family Member Program, focuses on improving the quality of life for our families with an exceptional family member through support, resources and providing a social forum to network and share information. Please check out our EFMP Facebook for this month s topic! Visit FREE Childcare with RSVP (sensory room available). For additional information and to RSVP, ffscsdefmp@navy.mil or call pm Murphy Canyon Chapel, 3200 Santo Road, San Diego, CA January 30 February 27 March 27 April 24 May 29 June 26 July 31 August 28 September 25 October 30 November 13 December 4 TEEN JOB FAIR APRIL 7, AM-12 PM MURPHY CANYON YOUTH CENTER 4867 SANTO ROAD, SAN DIEGO, CA For more information, call Explore Teen Employment Opportunities. Local and national vendors! Volunteer Opportunities College and Scholarship Information Including: Parent Orientation State Labor Law and Job Permits Resumé Writing and Critique 11/18 TEEN DATING Is Your Teen Dating? Have you talked with your teen about healthy relationships and teen dating violence? Awareness and education that relationships should be safe, respectful, and positive is an important lesson to teach teens early. Teen dating violence is an issue not often recognized or discussed and can come in a variety of forms. It can have long lasting impacts including depression, decreased academic success, alcohol and drug abuse, eating disorders, and continuation of violence in adult relationships. According to loveisrespect.org, teen dating abuse is defined as a pattern of abusive behavior that occurs when one partner uses power and control over another. Common warning signs of dating abuse include: Monitoring and restricting whereabouts, activities, and relationships by following partner to class, constantly checking up on, criticizing, limiting friendships, and checking cell phone, , or social media. One in four dating teens report being abused or harassed online or through texts by their partners. Source: URBAN Institute Sept Threatening to emotionally harm, embarrass, or injure the partner or oneself. Forcing or pressuring sexual contact, intercourse, or publicly discrediting by sharing intimate knowledge. Physical violence such as slapping, hitting, pushing, pulling, kicking, or restraining. One of ten teens report being physically assaulted by a boyfriend or girlfriend in the past year. Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. If you think your teen is in an abusive relationship, you can help your teen by: Believing your teen and not blaming them. Taking actions to protect the teen both at home and at school. lerting the school principal, teachers, coaches, and counselors. Connecting the teen with resources (such as counseling at FFSC). For additional resources on teen dating violence, please contact your local FFSC at (619) Or you may visit loveisrespect.org, call (866) , or text love is to Academic Anchor JANUARY-FEBRUARY-MARCH Navy Region Southwest School Liaison Newsletter

13 CHILD & YOUTH PROGRAMS UPDATES Play The Game & Enjoy The Sport! NAVY CYP CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTERS Child Development programs are offered to ages 6 weeks to 5 years at Child Development Centers (CDC) throughout San Diego. Caregivers receive extensive training in the development of infants, toddlers, and preschoolers to ensure an enriching day care experience for young Navy family members. Program elements include age appropriate activities, participation in the USDA food program, and monthly training requirements of staff. CYP ONLINE SERVICES: To log onto CYP Online Services, use your Household ID number as your initial username, that can be found at the top of your CYP receipts or can be obtained at your local CYP front desk and your on file as your password. Once logged in you will be prompted to change your password or you can go straight to the HOME page to begin navigating through CYP Online Services. MILITARYCHILDCARE.COM: Visit militarychildcare.com where you can find comprehensive information on childcare programs worldwide, conduct a customized search for the care you need and submit a request for care at any time and from any location. Follow these four simple steps! CREATE AN ACCOUNT: Go to militarychildcare.com to create an account containing information about your family, or to login using an existing username and password. SEARCH FOR CARE: Search the system for the child care options that best meet your needs. REQUEST CARE: You can select one or more options and submit your requests for care. The program will contact you when space becomes available. MANAGE REQUESTS: You can manage your requests for care from anywhere in the world. CHILD AND YOUTH 24/7 CENTER The Child and Youth 24/7 Center, at Naval Air Station North Island, is one of only a handful of 24 hour/7 days a week Navy Child Development programs in the country. Care is offered to ages 6 weeks to 12 years. Caregivers receive extensive training in the development of infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and school age children to ensure an enriching care experience for Navy family members. Program elements include age appropriate activities, participation in the USDA food program, and monthly training requirements of staff. YOUTH SPONSORSHIP: Youth Sponsorship (grades 5-12) provides access to positive peer groups and social activities, helping military children feel connected at their new duty station. If interested in connecting your child with a local youth sponsor, go to www. navylifesw.com/slo. Once received, you will be contacted by a School Liaison Officer or Youth Center Manager. For Youth Sponsorship through the School Age Care or Youth Programs, participants must be enrolled or a registered user. sports Youth Sports is a great introduction to sports, where everyone plays and you compete for FUN! Our goal at the Navy Youth Sports experience is to teach the enjoyment of playing on a team as a character building activity without the pressure of a highly competitive program. We strive for participation, physical fitness, fair play, positive sportsmanship, and game skills. As members of the National Alliance for Youth Sports, we believe that every child, regardless of their abilities, should have an opportunity to positively benefit from meaningful participation. Smart Start Sports Skills Development Introduce your youngster to team work, new friends and having fun while being active. Saturdays starting February 10, 9 am, FREE (6-week program) Open to youth 3-5 yrs. Register by January 26 Held at Murphy Canyon Youth Center Start Smart: Soccer Development Develop soccer skills in a non-competitive environment. Thursdays starting February 1-March 8, 5-6 pm, FREE (6-week program) Open to youth 3-5 yrs. Registration: January Silver Strand Youth Center Call to register your child today! *Registration is limited. Take it to the Hoop Basketball $50 includes jersey, trophy and team photo. Coed 5-7, 8-10, and yrs. Registration open until January 26 (5-7 yrs.), February 2 (8-13 yrs.), February 9 (14-18 yrs.) Games played at Murphy Canyon Youth Center and Marine Corps Recruit Depot SIGN UP LOCATIONS: Murphy Canyon Youth Center, 4867 Santo Rd, MCRD Base Ticket Office, 1600 Henderson Ave, Bayview Youth Center, 1876 Sky Harbor Rd., Canyon Stars Family Tennis Program $30 for a 6-week program Sessions available year-round and open to ages 5 and up Lessons held at Murphy Canyon Youth Center Register at your local Youth Center or call VOLUNTEER COACHES NEEDED! Call the Youth Sports Office at for more information and to sign up. Navy Region Southwest School Liaison Newsletter JANUARY-FEBRUARY-MARCH 2018 Academic Anchor 12

14 EFMP CONNECTIONS SPECIAL EDUCATION For more information, contact the EFMP Office at What is EFMP? The Navy s Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) serves military families with special needs. The EFMP is a mandatory enrollment program for sponsors with qualifying family members. Enrollment in the EFMP ensures maximum provision of services to the family throughout the sponsor s career. The EFMP includes identification of the family member s special needs and enrollment in the program, assignment coordination and family support. The Program assists Sailors during the assignment process by addressing the special needs of their exceptional family members (EFM), and ensuring they are assigned to areas where they can access necessary resources. Special needs include special medical, dental, mental health, developmental or educational requirements, the requirement for adaptive equipment assistive technology devices and services and/or wheelchair accessibility. An Overview of Special Education: Special education is designed to meet unique needs of children with special needs, ages 3 through 21. Military OneSource offers tools and resources to help you navigate the system. Start here to learn about the special education process, including eligibility, relevant regulations, moving (including overseas) and graduating or leaving school. Eligibility: The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act assists with early intervention services for eligible children, birth to age 3, and special education services for eligible children, ages 3 to 21, in three specific areas: Identification Evaluation Delivery Children qualify for special education based on guidelines set by the state and Department of Defense. Relevant Regulations: The U.S. Department of Education uses specific regulations that implement the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act in public schools in the United States and its territories. States then create guidance to supplement these regulations. You can find state regulations on state education agency websites. The Department of Defense school system operates under Department of Defense policy as outlined in Department of Defense Instruction , Implementation of Early Intervention and Special Education Services to Eligible DoD Dependents, June 17, Moving: The act also protects your child s educational progress when you move to a new school district. School districts must provide comparable services that honor the previous school s individualized education plan. Keep in mind, the new school district may not necessarily recreate the same program. Bring current copies of your child s IEP and eligibility records before transferring to start similar services immediately in your new location. How Can the School Liaison Officer Support EFMP Families? Offers assistance in navigating the administrative systems within local public schools. Provides information about programs and services available on the installation and in the local community. Makes referrals to the appropriate special education or medical professionals. Provides information concerning local policies and regulations pertaining to special education. Can assist families with the required signatures for EFMP enrollment form DD NOTE: School Liaison Officers are not authorized to serve in an advocacy role, or recommend educational intervention services. Moving Overseas: The Department of Defense Education Activity special education website lists special education relocation suggestions and contacts for families moving overseas. Parents should contact the responsible special education coordinator if a child receiving special education also requires: Special equipment Assistive technology Individualized paraprofessional support Graduating or Leaving School: Young adults with disabilities can find a number of continuing education and work opportunities within their communities. You can help find these opportunities by calling your local state vocational rehabilitation program. Learn how to advocate for your child within the school system by contacting your Parent Training and Information Center. Contact a Military OneSource special needs consultant if you have any questions or concerns regarding the care and education of your family member with special needs Academic Anchor JANUARY-FEBRUARY-MARCH Navy Region Southwest School Liaison Newsletter

15 SPECIAL EDUCATION An Overview of the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act: Every child deserves a quality education. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act ensures that all children with special needs have access to a free appropriate public education and they have the necessary tools to meet their educational goals. The act governs how states and public agencies, including the Department of Defense, provide early intervention, special education and related services to eligible children with disabilities, ages birth through 21. Department of Defense Instruction/Manual Provisions of Early Intervention and Special Education Services to Eligible DoD Dependents published on June 17, 2015 interprets IDEA for the Department of Defense. Here s an overview of the provisions: What s the history of the act? Children with special needs weren t always granted access to public education in every state. That changed in 1975, when Congress established the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Today, no child can be denied a public education because of a disability. Legislators passed the most recent amendments in December Final regulations were published in August 2006 (Part B, for school-age children) and September 2011 (Part C, for babies and toddlers). What do the four parts of the act do for parents and children? The act is comprised of four parts and has been revised through the years. Part A outlines the law s general provisions. Part B ensures children and youth, ages 3 to 21, receive special education and related services. Part C covers early intervention services for infants and toddlers under age 3 and their families. Part D addresses federal support, from grants to resources, for the education of children with disabilities. What are the act s guiding principles? Free appropriate public education. This principle makes sure every child, regardless of disability, has the right to attend a public school and receive an education tailored to achieve his or her highest potential. Appropriate evaluation. The testing process is regulated so children receive the best individualized education placement and services. The individualized education program. This written document is created for every child in the public school system who s eligible for special education. It s drafted by an interdisciplinary team and reviewed every year. Least restrictive environment. This principle requires that students with disabilities share the same setting, as much as possible while still meeting their needs, with students who do not have disabilities. Parent and teacher participation. This principle establishes the importance of parents and teachers working together to achieve their children s educational goals. Included are working as a team on a child s individualized education program and least restrictive environment details. Procedural safeguards. These are in place to protect the rights of families with special needs. Procedural safeguards make sure public school doors are always open to children with disabilities and that schools are prepared to accommodate them academically. Parents have the right to review their children s records, attend team meetings, have a say in where their children are placed and more. Persons with special needs deserve a quality education just like everyone else. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act is in place to open classroom doors to every child and help all students to be their best academically. The Exceptional Family Member Program provides family support, education and much more. Locate the program near you by visiting MilitaryINSTALLATIONS or contact a Military OneSource special needs consultant with questions or concerns regarding the care and education of your family member with special needs. Parent Information Training Centers and Family Empowerment Centers Parent Information Training Centers and Family Empowerment Centers are non-profit agencies providing parents of children with disabilities the training and information they need to effectively help their children. The California Department of Education directory of all Parent Information and Training Centers and Family Empowerment Centers in California can be accessed at Between these two agencies, parents can access: PARENT-TO-PARENT SUPPORT ASSISTANCE AND ADVOCACY FOR EDUCATIONAL ISSUES AND OTHER SERVICES SUPPORT GROUPS INFORMATION AND REFERRAL TRAINING Special Education Resources SPECIAL ED CONNECT: Obtain practical guidance, build professional capacity, and conduct legal/regulatory research about: Autism Behavior and Discipline Early Childhood IEPs Inclusion LRE Specific Disabilities Transition And more! For more information, visit: and contact your School Liaison Officer! Navy Region Southwest School Liaison Newsletter JANUARY-FEBRUARY-MARCH 2018 Academic Anchor 14

16 academic anchor NAVY REGION SOUTHWEST SCHOOL LIAISON NEWSLETTER JANUARY-FEBRUARY-MARCH 2018 NAVY REGION SOUTHWEST REGIONAL SCHOOL LIAISON OFFICER NAVAL BASE CORONADO CORONADO/SOUTH BAY/ IMPERIAL BEACH NAVAL BASE POINT LOMA Point Loma/Mission Bay/West of NBPLSLO@navy.mil NAVAL BASE SAN DIEGO Murphy Canyon/Downtown NBSDSLO@navy.mil NAVAL BASE SAN DIEGO East County/Santee/ Lemon Grove/El Centro NBSDSLO@navy.mil NAVAL BASE VENTURA COUNTY NBVCSLO@navy.mil NAVAL AIR STATION LEMOORE LEMR_SLO@navy.mil NAVAL SUPPORT ACTIVITY MONTEREY NSAMSLO@nps.edu NAVAL AIR STATION FALLON FALNSLO@navy.mil NAVAL AIR WEAPONS STATION CHINA LAKE CHLKSLO@navy.mil 12/17ks ASK A SLO ASK A SCHOOL LIAISON OFFICER (SLO) The CNRSW Navy School Liaison Officers have created a page to answer parent questions surrounding their children s academics, district policies, transition situations and any other educational concerns. If you have a question that you would like to submit to the Academic Anchor, please feel to send your questions to NBSDSLO@navy.mil. This past quarter, Navy SLOs have been receiving calls regarding the use of electronic devices, kindergarten, SSTs and when is Spring Break scheduled? Below are the questions and answers. Q. If I want my child to repeat Kindergarten for a second year and not go onto 1st grade, can I tell the school to retain my child? A. Per the California Department of Education, continuance is defined as more than one school year in kindergarten. Ed Code Section requires a child who has completed a year of kindergarten to be promoted to first grade, unless the parent or guardian and the district agree that the child may continue in kindergarten not more than one additional school year. If the parent and the district agree to have the child attend kindergarten for one additional year, a Kindergarten Continuance Form must be completed. For parents that have further questions regarding Kindergarten enrollment, age-eligible children to enter kindergarten, early admission for under-age children to kindergarten, or as in the question above, Kindergarten Continuance, a good source of information is the California Department of Education s website: ca.gov/ci/gs/em/kinderinfo.asp Q. What is the policy regarding cell phone usage on school grounds? A. Although your question is specifically regarding the use of a cell phone, we are going to address the answer to cover any electronic signaling device. School District Boards will establish policies on the use and possession of any electronic signaling device by students. Some school boards will allow students to bring electronic devices once they receive approval from the school site administrator. Other school sites will designate phone areas, in which students can use their phones while on campus and during certain times of the day. Usually, this is before or after school is in session. Every school district does maintain a policy regarding the use of electronic devices that can be found on their district webpages. If you are going to allow your child to use or bring their phone to school, please review your school s policy and remember that school districts will not be responsible for electronic devices that are brought onto a campus. If the student has a health situation and the use of an electronic device is essential for their health, no student shall be prohibited from possessing and using such a device. The electronic device, if used for health purposes, does need to be determined by a licensed physician and surgeon. For more information about electronic devices you can review: displaysection.xhtml?lawcode=edc&sectionn um= Q. What is an SST? A. SST stands for Student Study Team. Usually when parents or school staff have concerns regarding a student s academic or behavior exhibited in a school setting, they would suggest scheduling an SST meeting. The SST might include the child s teacher, a school counselor or school psychologist, principal or assistant principal and the child s parents, if desired. Through discussion of the student s strengths and concerns, the team develops the next steps to support the student. Next steps might be implementing interventions or programs to support the student or even an evaluation for special education assessment. We strongly encourage families to reach out to their school site administrators or special education directors to learn more about their district s Student Study Teams. If you have any questions about who to contact, give your School Liaison Officer a call. Q. What are the Spring Breaks for the school districts in San Diego? A. Below are the Spring Break Schedules for the school districts close to the military installations. If your child is attending a charter school or private school, please be aware that the return date might be different than listed below. School District...Spring Break Chula Vista Elementary District...March National City School District...March South Bay Union School District...March San Ysidro School District...March 26-April 6 Sweetwater Union High School District...March Santee School District...March 26-April 6 Lemon Grove School District...March 26-April 6 Lakeside Union School District...March 26-April 6 La Mesa/Spring Valley School District...March 26-April 6 Cajon Valley School District...March 26-April 6 Grossmont Union High School District...March 26-April 6 Coronado Unified School District...March 26-April 2 San Diego Unified School District...March (Traditional School Calendar) San Diego Unified School District...March 26-April 25 (Year Round School Calendar)