Hui KULA NOV 2016 - FEB 2017 Joint Schools SCHOOL LIAISON NEWSLETTER SHARING EDUCATIONAL INFORMATION THAT AFFECTS MILITARY CHILDREN IN THE NAVY REGION HAWAII
CURRENT EVENTS Please join us in extending a warm welcome to Cherry Okahara as our new Hawaii State Department of Education s Military Liaison. Ms. Okahara was previously an Executive Assistant with the Hawaii Department of Transportation for all three divisions: Highways, Airports and Harbors. Prior to that, she was a STEP UP Scholars Program Manager with Hawaii P-20 Partnerships for Education for four years. As the Program Manager, she was tasked to design, develop and administer a range of college prep activities for the scholars; particularly those in low-income communities. She also managed a pilot phase of a college and career web portal and coordinated training and site visits to 2 public schools statewide. Ms. Okahara has held positions as legislative intern, assistant committee clerk, legislative aide and office manager during her seven year tenure with former Senator Norman Sakamoto s office (Hawaii Senatorial District 15). She was involved with all aspects of office and legislative committee (Education, Military and Housing) operations including maintenance of his legislative website and calendar; overseeing development and implementation of projects and special initiatives including the advocacy, researching and drafting of legislation; and maintaining working relationships with state, county and federal agencies, and the military installation/component commands in Hawaii. Ms. Okahara received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from the University of Hawaii at Manoa and is a proud public school graduate of Molokai Intermediate & Molokai High.
Hui KULA 2 Current Events NOV 2016 - FEB 2017 4 Academic Updates 7 Deployment Support 8 Transition Support 10 Partnerships in Education 12 Command, School, Community 14 Child & Youth Updates 15 Special Education Cover photo by Reid Kagemoto
ACADEMIC UPDATES Hawaii Public School Students Outpace Nation in Gains on AP Exams Hawaii s public school students are exceeding the nation in gains on the Advanced Placement Program (AP ) Exams over the year prior. The AP results for HIDOE students who were tested last May show increases in the number of exam takers, exams taken and scores of 3 or higher. Hawaii s public school students are exceeding the nation in gains on the Advanced Placement Program (AP ) Exams over the year prior. In a report released 26 September 2016, the AP results for Hawaii State Department of Education (HIDOE) students who were tested last May show increases in the number exam takers, exams taken and scores of 3 or higher. In just one year, between 2015 and 2016, the number of AP Exams in Hawaii that were scored 3 or higher increased by 7.5 percent, said Scott Hill, a vice president at the College Board, which administers the AP Program. That significant increase is a testament to the hard work and commitment of Hawaii s students, parents, teachers, and education leaders, all of whom deserve commendation for this great achievement. We will continue to partner with Hawaii educators to ensure that all students ready for the challenge of AP are able to access those opportunities. Compared with last year, Hawaii s public schools exceeded the nation s growth in all categories number of exam takers, exams taken and scores of 3 or higher. Since 2012, the number of exams taken by Hawaii public school students has increased by 26 percent (from 6,669), and the number of passing scores increased by 29 percent (up from 2,599). Growth is crucial for our public schools and these results show promising system-wide improvement as we continue to raise the rigor and prepare our students for post-high school endeavors, said Superintendent, Kathryn Matayoshi. These gains also reflect the 4 hard work and professional development being done by our educators to prepare for and teach these college-level courses. Their dedication to their craft and students is evident in these positive results. Since 2012, Hawaii has received grants from the U.S. Department of Education to subsidize test fees for low-income students. Funding has increased year-overyear with HIDOE receiving $114,168 in 2015. These grants have been a tremendous help in making sure that we are able to provide college and career readiness opportunities for all of our students. For many of them, earning college credits at no cost in high school will help with the financial burden associated with completing a post-secondary degree, Superintendent Matayoshi added. The push behind providing opportunities for more students to take AP courses and exams are part of a range of recent transformational efforts to increase students college and career readiness. Learn more about these efforts in an Expectation of College. The results include strong increases in college enrollment, enrollment in early college programs at the high school level, as well as significant declines in college-level remediation in English and Mathematics. For more information about AP courses and participation at HIDOE schools, visit www.hawaiipublicschools.org. SCHOOL REGISTRATION INFORMATION To register your child, you may do so by going to the front office of the school. Offices are open Monday - Friday, 7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. and are closed on holidays. After all paperwork is submitted, your child should be able to start school in approximately two days. You do not need to wait for permanent housing for your child to start school; they can attend a temporary school in the meantime. For more information on registering your child while in Temporary Housing, refer to the Temporary and Permanent Housing Section on our webpage.
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YOUTH SPORTS COACHES NEEDED BECOME A VOLUNTEER COACH AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN OUR YOUTH! YOUTH SPORTS ARE LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEER COACHES FOR OUR SEASONAL SPORTS: Flag Football, Soccer, Volleyball, Cheerleading, Tennis, Basketball & Baseball JOIN US TODAY! If interested, call Youth Sports office at 473-0789 or visit greatlifehawaii.com for more info. Follow us on Facebook @jbphhysf
DEPLOYMENT SUPPORT Military Family Life Counselors (MFLCs) Spend a day at the Military Family Support Center Nearly ten years ago, the Department of Defense (DoD) was seeking support services that could complement existing military behavioral health programs to support Service Members and their families who were struggling under the effects of extended and repeated deployments due to the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts. This led to what is perhaps the most important support program offered to Service Members and their families today: the Military & Family Life Counseling (MFLC) Program. Licensed clinical providers assist Service Members and their families with issues they may face throughout the cycle of deployment - from leaving their loved ones and possibly living and working in harm s way to reintegrating with their family and community. The MFLC Program provides short-term, non-medical counseling support for a range of issues including: relationships, crisis intervention, stress management, grief, occupational and other individual and family issues. On July 28, 2016, the Navy Region, Joint Base, and Army School Liaisons hosted an informative MFLC Orientation Briefing to meet the new MFLCs for the upcoming school year. Both new and veteran MFLCs met to discuss Hawaii Public Schools, Common Core Testing, military family experiences, Hawaii-unique issues, and the Interstate Compact of Educational Opportunity for Military Children (MIC3). MFLCs play an important role in our military impacted schools and we appreciate the support they provide for our students and their families. Schools that have MFLCs on campus include: Hickam ES, Shafter ES, Mokulele ES, Nimitz ES, Radford HS, Aliamanu ES, and Aliamanu MS, Wheeler ES, Wheeler MS, Hale Kula ES, Solomon ES, Red Hill ES, Lehua ES, Mokapu ES, and Kailua IS. For a complete list or more information about the MFLC Program, contact your local School Liaison Office at: greatlifehawaii.com 7
TRANSITION SUPPORT Complex Area Superintendent, John Erickson, Hosts a Transition Center Coordinator and Parent Community Networking Coordinator Orientation at the Military Family Support Center Hawaii is the temporary or long-term home for 300,000- plus military personnel and their families. About 14,000 military dependents attend Hawaii public schools. Families belong to Navy, Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, and Marine Corps base installations located on Oahu, Kauai, and the Big Island, as well as the Pacific Command headquartered on Oahu. Relocation can cause mixed emotions for children, including stress, excitement, and anxiety. There is the dread of leaving old friends behind, military parents being deployed, and the uncertainty of trying to establish new relationships in an unfamiliar place. Changing schools is probably the most stressful part of the relocation process, especially if the transfer is made in the middle of the school year. Hawaii is dedicated to making students feel welcomed 8 and accepted. CAS Erickson, the Aiea-Moanalua- Radford Complex Area Superintendent believes Transition Centers in our public schools are so important that he and the Navy Region Hawaii and Joint Base School Liaison Officers, Kimberly Crutchfield and Kim Munoz coordinated and facilitated a Training/Orientation with the A-M-R Transition Center Coordinators (TC) and Parent Community Networking Coordinators (PCNC). On 1 September 2016, CAS Erickson spoke with the TCs and PCNCs about the importance of Transition Centers in our local schools. He challenged the Coordinators to think outside the box and try new activities in the Transition Centers. He shared some of the best practices incorporated at schools where he formally served as Principal. Other discussion topics included Military Family Experiences, Hawaii-Unique Issues, How Schools Can Help, and a brief overview of the School Liaison Officer Program. The Transition Center Coordinators and Parent Community Networking Coordinators found the meeting so beneficial that we will continue the meetings every quarter.
Hickam Elementary School Welcomes New Students Daily Story and photo by Marcy Rice At Hickam Elementary School, a new student enrolls almost every day! As a military-impacted school, we believe it is important to welcome and transition students quickly, said Mrs. Alisa Bender, principal of Hickam Elementary School. Hickam Elementary School (HES) has about 25 percent of their students leave every year. HES is approximately 97 percent military students, so it is vital for our students to have a contact as they transition into their new school and with the turn-over rate being very high at our school, having a transition center is necessary, said Mrs. Marcy Rice, Hickam Elementary School s Parent Community Network Coordinator (PCNC). The PCNC is charged with developing the transitions program. In January 2015, HES developed a physical Transition Center with the school s Parent-Teacher- Organization (PTO) in room P-2. In the center, there are brochures and information about the community as a resource to new parents. To help get HES students comfortable, the PCNC gives tours to the new students and their parents. The tour consists of an introduction to Campus, beginning with the Library, Health Aide Center, and Cafeteria. The PCNC shares safety protocols, like the drop off/ pickup procedure, the bike racks location, and the music program and PE facilities. The tour ends with an introduction to the student s new teacher. Each teacher provides a written syllabus as part of each new student s welcome packet. In the future, we are hoping to make announcements for arriving new students, which includes posting where they came from, said PCNC Rice. To further welcome students, the PCNC implemented an Ambassador Program or Host Program in August. The PCNC reached out to the teachers and asked them to nominate two students from their classroom who could act as a buddy for new students. Their role consists of eating lunch with new students, introducing them to other students, showing them the classroom procedures and answering any questions that they might have about our Campus. The first training session was held in September, where the PCNC discussed how they will make transitioning easier for the new students. At the session, 40 students agreed and have begun being buddies to new students. I consider this a great success, said PCNC Rice. Students were also given a reference manual and a HOST pin that they wear when they are with the new student. I ve seen our host students wearing their pins with pride around campus, said PCNC Rice. To help them be leaders and successful at being hosts, a training lunch will be held each quarter during their lunch periods to review their role as a host. They will also be featured in the school s yearbook. It s great having students welcome students, said Principal Bender. It fits with our vision, our commitment to being a positive learning community that inspires leaders for tomorrow. Besides the transition program, the PCNC also ensures connections to the school community. This includes providing a monthly newsletter with upcoming events and news, coordinating messages on the school website (http:// www.hickam.k12.hi.us/), developing the Parent and Volunteer Handbook, coordinating community events, like Purple Up Day which honors military-impacted students, and overseeing the school clubs. It s been a lot to learn and do, said PCNC Rice. But to see the smile on our students faces makes it all worth it. 9
PARTNERSHIPS IN EDUCATION Teachers Learn About Military Life The Hawaii Education Liaison Officers (HELOC) from Joint Base, the Army, the Marine Corps, and the Hawaii Department of Education Military Liaison along with Pacific Command (PACOM), and DoDEA Pacific teamed up to host and facilitate a Hawaii Department of Education Professional Development Event entitled 2016 Military Culture Course (MCC). Classes began September 1, 2016 and ended October 27, 2016. Forty-five educators from six different complex areas around the island assembled every Thursday from 1600 to 1900 at Rainbow Marina to attend the MCC. Participants who successfully complete the course will receive 3 continuing education units (CEUs) from the Department of Education in the spring of 2017. The course provided background and information about military culture and special issues related to military dependent students in Hawaii. The objective was for Hawaii educators within the DOE to develop and implement activities or programs in their local schools that addressed issues highlighted in the class. Topics covered in the course included: military protocols, differences between military service components, chain of command, rank structure, Uniform Code of Military Justice, permanent change of station (PCS), assignment and deployments, as well as the military family perspective and how families cope with stress and challenges in the military. The students enrolled in this year s MCC had the privilege of receiving in-depth briefings by the following guest speakers: PACOM - LTG Anthony Crutchfield, Col Pete Santa Ana, and Lt Col Greg Thompson; Navy - RDML John Fuller; Army - LTC Britton London; Air Force - Col Richard (Renzy) Smith; Marine Corps - Col (Ret) Douglas Wadsworth; Coast Guard - CDR John Dewey; Hawaii National Guard - BG (Ret) Bruce Oliveira and LTC Pam Ellison; and Military Interstate Compact BG (Ret) Kathy Berg. Moreover, the students were able to interact and ask practical questions to a group of military spouses from the Navy, Air Force, and the Marine Corps via a military parent panel session. Now that the classroom instruction portion of the course is over, educators have returned to their schools to implement their projects. The mentors from Joint Base, the Army, the Marine Corps, PACOM, HI DOE, and DoDEA Pacific are looking forward to visiting the schools in the spring of 2017 to see how the school-based projects were implemented and the benefits each one will bring to our students. 10
Aloha Santa is asking for your kokua again to support our keiki 8 th Annual Rubber Slipper Drive Please consider stepping into the holiday spirit by donating NEW pairs of Rubber Slippers for school-aged children and youth who are economically disadvantaged. The slippers can be for a boy or girl and all sizes are welcomed. The slippers will be distributed by the Community Engagement Office of the Department of Education. Guided by federal mandates, the Department of Education works with schools to ensure that this special population of students is given access to comparable services as provided to other students. Last school year the Department of Education identified over 3,000 students as having limited access to simple necessities such as food, clothing and footwear. The rubber slippers will provide students with a necessary item that may not be readily available to them. Please drop off your slippers to Jan (383-2540) by Friday, December 9, 2016 or call to schedule a pickup. MAHALO! 11
COMMAND, SCHOOL, COMMUNITY Complex Area Superintendent and Elementary School Principal aboard USS John C. Stennis On Thursday, July 21, 2016, Central Oahu District Complex Area Superintendent, John Erickson and Principal of Hickam Elementary School, Alisa Bender along with the Navy Region School Liaison Officer, Kimberly Crutchfield and the Navy Installation School Liaison Officer, Kim Munoz were honored guests aboard the US Navy s aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis through its Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet Distinguished Visitor Program. Participants were chosen from a select group of individuals in the local, civic, business, and educational community. As Distinguished Visitors, they flew out to the aircraft carrier while it was at sea, departing Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam via a Navy C-2 Greyhound called a Carrier Onboard Delivery (COD). They experienced an arrested landing on to the ship with an extreme deceleration from 105 to 0 mph in just two seconds. The DVs were able to interact with Sailors and even had an opportunity to sit in Captain s chair; courtesy of Captain Gregory C. Huffman, Commanding Officer, USS John C. Stennis. They were given a guided tour of the ship, observed flight operations, and catapulted off the ship back to Pearl Harbor Hickam! These embarks are meant to increase the public s understanding and appreciation for carrier-based aviation by providing an opportunity to view the Navy, in action, through direct interactions with Sailors and demonstrations of the unique capabilities of naval aviation. This once in a lifetime experience brings people together across a wide variety of military and civilian sectors. Having completed this remarkable feat, they are now all known as Honorary Stennis Aviators! 12
Operation Homefront 2016 Back-to-School Brigade Event Operation Homefront hosted its 2016 Back-to-School Brigade Event on July 22, 2016 at the Hokulani Community Center. The Operation Homefront Back-to-School Brigade is a nationwide school supply collection campaign. It is a way to provide families of junior enlisted and wounded, ill, or injured service members with school supplies to help offset the financial burden that often comes with preparing children to return to school. There were 500 children and their parents in attendance. Military students from around the island were provided with backpacks, school supplies, and many other donations. Several companies and organizations donated their time, services, and supplies. Those who participated included: Office Max, Armed Services YMCA, Veterans United, Wounded Warrior Project, and Pen Fed. The Honolulu Police Department made Keiki ID cards for students and the Federal Fire Department gave tours of their fire truck. It was a wonderful event and a great time had by all! For more information on Operation Homefront, visit: www.operationhomefront.net The National 4-H Headquarters, at USDA, has established formal partnerships with Air Force Services Family Member Programs, Army Child and Youth Services and Navy Child and Youth Programs to support positive youth development education for youth whose parents are serving in the military. These 4-H Military Partnerships bring the resources of the Land Grant University-youth development professionals, research based curricula, and high quality COMMAND, SCHOOL, COMMUNITY Center Drive Child Development Center s children planted pinwheels in celebration of the Month of the Military Child. Captain Stanley Keeve, Jr., Commander of Joint Base Pearl-Harbor Hickam and Command Master Chief Jack Johnson, joined children in planting pinwheels at the Center Drive Child Development Center on Joint Base Pearl-Harbor Hickam, Hawaii, April 15, 2016. Month of The Military Child training and technical assistance - to the youth programs of the military. University and county 4-H staff serve as project directors, 4-H Military Liaisons and as specialists on assignment to the Army, Air Force and Navy. As military families move frequently and experience the difficulties surrounding lengthy and frequent deployments, 4-H provides predictable programming and a safe and nurturing environment for military kids. University of Hawaii s 4-H program has 4-H clubs at Hickam School Age center, Hickam Teen Center, Catlin Clubhouse and Barking Sands. Youth involved in these programs participated in STEM activities, gardening, art, performance art, sewing, leadership, woodworking and more. To learn more about 4-H please visit our partnership website at http:// www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/4h/military- Partnerships/index.htm or contact military4-h@ctahr. hawaii.edu 13
CHILD & YOUTH UPDATES Parkour Camp held at Joint Base Story and photos by Gaea Armour Teens vaulted, climbed and jumped at a parkour camp held at the Hangar Skate Park, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam from Oct. 10 to 14. Ryland Lanagan, an Army veteran from Oregon, led the camp. He taught the basics of Parkour to youth ages 12 through 17 years old. Parkour, from the French word parcours which means the way through, has been gaining in popularity worldwide. The goal is to quickly and efficiently navigate through any environment using only that environment, body, creativity and instinctive reflex, Lanagan said. Parkour is not as simple as going through an obstacle course. It involves a variety of techniques such as rolls, landings, takeoffs, vaults, precision jumps, bar moves and wall climbs. The camp commenced with basic techniques at the Hangar Skate Park and base playgrounds, then later concluded at a local parkour gym in town. I have to be creative, Lanagan said. I know that everyone is different, and will learn best if they get exposure to different ways of hear it, see it, do it. I need to be able to break moves down into smaller, easier, simpler segments and then to progress from there. I meet them where they are at, and teach them to get to know themselves, their strengths and weaknesses. My teaching strategy is to provide a safe environment for people to progress at their own speed. Provide them the opportunity to learn via repetition, experimentation, teach 14 them to feel connected to their movement and to celebrate their success with them. Encouragement and positivity are a huge part of the Parkour community s values. Lanagan hopes to stage another parkour camp sometime next year and teach more to military youth. Another parkour camp will possibly be offered again by next school break as it gains more popularity. For future youth sports events and to stay informed, visit greatlifehawaii.com.
SPECIAL EDUCATION Support for Parents through the Community Children s Councils (for special needs children) The Hawaii Department of Education has developed parent support opportunities through its Community Children s Councils (for special needs children) and its Student Support Branch (providing socio-emotional supports and training for staff in schools). COMMUNITY CHILDREN S COUNCILS One of the key partnerships in the development of a full array of services to special needs children and their families, the Community Children s Councils are led by parent and professional co-chairs and include representation from public and private child-serving agencies and other community members such as recreational services, businesses, churches and others. The collective vision goes beyond implementation of special needs services, to provide local forums statewide for all community members to come together as equal partners to discuss and positively affect multiple systems issues for the benefit of all children, families and communities. The goals of the councils: Providing a focus of strong family participation in planning and decision-making; Providing a vehicle for community-wide involvement; Collaboratively creating a shared vision for an integrated system of care; Implementing ongoing community needs assessments and strategic planning process; Participating in quality assurance and improvement in the development of the system of care. There are 17 councils in Hawaii that usually meet monthly. Common activities include parent support groups, workshops and informational meetings, with conferences and special events offered throughout the year. For more information on Community Children s Councils in the Joint Base area, contact your local School Liaison Officer. 15
FIND US www.greatlifehawaii.com/family-support/school-liaison-officer KIMBERLY CRUTCHFIELD Navy Region Hawaii School Liaison Officer Military Family Support Center 4827 Bougainville Dr. Honolulu, HI 96818 808-471-3662 (office) 808-306-8321 (cell) Kimberly.crutchfield@navy.mil KIM MUÑOZ JBPHH School Liaison Officer Military Family Support Center 4827 Bougainville Dr. Honolulu, HI 96818 808-471-3673 (office) 808-306-9247 (cell) kim.munoz@navy.mil 47th Annual Celebration Sponsored by USAA FREE! Friday, December 2 Freedom Tower Bring a blanket or lawn chairs & celebrate the season with festive holiday traditions! Festivities Include: 4:30-7 P.M. Bounce houses, holiday crafts Build & create with a special Kid s Clinic sponsored by Home Depot Glow jewelry provided by JBPHH Chapels (while supplies last) FREE PHOTO WITH SANTA! 7 P.M. Tower Lighting Ceremony EVENT SHUTTLE SERVICE provided round Holiday Drinks sponsored by Meadow Gold Dairies & cookies sponsored by GEICO No official endorsement intended. ENTERTAINMENT PROVIDED BY THE MARINE CORPS FORCES PACIFIC BAND trip from the BX Garden Shop to the event, starting at 4:15 p.m. until the event finish. www.greatlifehawaii.com