2012 11 19 a anchor nov dec 12 pdf

Navy Region SouthwestSchool Liaison Newsletter

academicanchorConnecting Navy Families, Commands and K-12 Schools

ANovemberDecember

2012

In this issue

Current Events . . . . . . . . . . 1

Transition Support . . . . . . . 3

Post-SecondaryPreparation . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Deployment Support . . . . . 5

Command, School, andCommunity Connections . . 6

Partnershipsin Education . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Home School Linkeage . . . 9

EFMP Resources . . . . . . . 10

Navy School Liaison Contacts . . . . . . . Back Cover

Addressing educational issues that affect military children in

Navy Region Southwest.

Current Events

1 Academic Anchor • November-December 2012 Navy Region Southwest School Liaison Newsletter

The School Liaison Program would like to express our profound gratitude to Hitachi Data Systems in San Diego for their generous support. Hitachi donated $1500 to the School Liaison Program through the Sponsorship program. Hitachi Data Systems is the leader in virtualization technology and is one of the leading electronics companies worldwide.

More information on Hitachi Data Systems and the contributions they are making to education and the community can be found at:http://www.hds.com/?WT.ac=us_tm_hdslogo

The sponsorship program supports Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) programs and activities that contribute to Navy Quality of Life programs for our active duty and retired military, reservists, their family members and civilian employees.

For more information about the program, please seehttp://navylifesw.com/sponsorship/

On October 11 Commander Navy Region Southwest, Admiral Smith, hosted an official kick-off ceremony for the newly formed Partnership in Education with the Monarch School.

Onboard the USS Midway, Admiral Smith, the CEO of Monarch School, Erin Spiewak, and over 20 Navy Region Southwest Sailors welcomed the students and shared with them the goal of the partnership.

Partnership Kick-Off Ceremonywith the Monarch School

Throughout the school year Sailors will be visiting the school on a regular basis to offer physical education classes and lunchtime mentoring. The ceremony closed with the Admiral and CEO signing the official agreement followed by a guided tour of the USS Midway. The Navy Region Southwest team is extremely excited about this new partnership and is looking forward to the upcoming events scheduled throughout the 2012/13 school year.

Military FamilyAppreciation and Resource Night

On September 26, Commander, Navy Region Southwest Rear Admiral Dixon Smith and his wife, Kiki, hosted a reception at their home to extend their appreciation to local educational leaders for their dedication to providing the highest quality education to our military children.

In attendance were San Diego County superintendents, district military liaisons, members of the California state Parent Teachers Association, local university representatives, Navy and Marine Corps command leadership, and school liaison officers.

Attendees were specifically recognized in remarks provided by Rear Admiral Smith, Deputy Commander of Marine Corps Installations West, Colonel Eugene N. Apicella, and San Diego County Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Randy Ward.

CNRSW

All Military Families Welcome!Featuring Academic and

Resillency-Building ActivitiesFor questions, please contact Kimbery Shapazian at

619-725-8168 or email at [email protected]

San Diego Unified School District-Area 2, Henry Cluster Schools, Scripps Ranch Schools andSerra Cluster Schools In Partnership with Navy and Marine Corps School Liaison Programs Presents

Wednesday, November 7, 20125-7 pm

Miller Elementary School4343 Shields Street

Tierrasanta, San Diego, CA 92124

SAVE THE DATE • FREE FOOD • FUN FOR ALL AGESNovember-December 2012 • Academic Anchor 2Navy Region Southwest School Liaison Newsletter


Transition Support

Much like the military, education is full of acronyms, and student testing is no exception. When military parents begin looking for schools in a new area, many refer to test scores to gauge student performance. So what do all those testing acronyms really mean for your child? California Standardized Testing (CST) results for 2012 were released in September, and these test scores are the basis for API (Academic Performance Index) and are a large factor in AYP (Adequate Yearly Progress) for schools and school districts.

California’s accountability program uses the API (Academic Performance Index) to measure school performance. API ranks schools based upon how students score on California standards tests in English, science, math and social studies. The API scale ranges from 200 to 1,000 with a score of 800 considered to be proficient. AYP (Adequate Yearly Progress) is a federal measurement established by the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) that measures schools in up to four categories, depending on the grade level of the school: graduation rates, participation on statewide tests, proficiency in language arts and math, and performance in the State’s accountability program.

UnderstandingTest ScoresWhen Choosinga New School

Based upon previous performance, schools are given yearly benchmarks for each category. Schools that fail to meet benchmarks over a given time can be placed into Program Improvement (PI). Schools in PI may be required to provide afterschool tutoring for certain students, along with the opportunity to enroll at another school in the same district that is not in PI. For more information on AYP, API and PI go to http://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/ac/ar

Schools come in all sizes and shapes, and while test scores do offer insight into a schools performance, they do not tell the whole story. All states choose their own standards for proficiency so it can be difficult for military families to make comparisons between schools in different states, based solely on test scores.

Parents should give consideration to the richness of a school’s curriculum, school culture, programs offered to fit your child needs, amount of parent involvement and the availability of affordable housing within school boundaries. Arranging to visit a short-list of schools with your child, prior to enrolment, will give you and your child more confidence in your selection.

November-December 2012 • Academic Anchor 4Navy Region Southwest School Liaison Newsletter

Going to a new school can be a real challenge,

especially if your family moves in the middle of a school year.

Make sure your child gets placed at the right learning level. Because of different requirements and teaching styles, your child may arrive at the new school either ahead or behind their classmates. Arrange to have your child’s records sent either ahead of you or as soon as possible. Also, a great tip is to bring copies of their school work along with photo copies of text book covers and table of contents for each class they are currently taking, letters of evaluations, past report cards, immunization information and a portfolio of their collective work.

Encourage your child to join a club or activity when starting the new school. This will allow them to meet other children and assimilate into the new school quickly. Research shows that students who do not find a friend or two in the first two weeks of transitioning into a school, have a much harder time adjusting to the new environment overall.

Communication is key in supporting a child in a new school. Provide the new school with your phone contact and email information. Attend as many functions that support your children as possible in the new transition. This will allow the child to feel supported as well as allowing the parents to observe how they are fitting in.

SATThe SAT is a globally accepted test taken during your junior and/or senior year of high school. The SAT has 3 components: Critical Reasoning, Mathematics, and a required Writing Test.

Colleges take into account your SAT score, along with high school grades, extracurricular activities and recommendations when making acceptance decisions. Many students choose to take the SAT for the first time during their spring semester of their junior year and for the second time during the fall semester of their senior year.

Visit http://sat.collegeboard.org/registerto register for the SAT.

You can also visithttp://sat.collegeboard.org/practice

for their free online SAT practice as well as their SAT question of the day!

2012/2013 SAT Test Dates November 3 December 1 January 26 March 9 May 4 June 1

PSATThe PSAT test is a preparation tool for the SAT. The test can be taken your sophomore year of high school, however, if you take it during your junior year, you can compete for the National Merit Scholarship. Taking the PSAT can help you to know your strengths and weaknesses, and prepare you for the SAT.

ACTThe ACT is another widely accepted test that colleges use when making college acceptance decisions. The ACT is an achievement test that measures what a student has learned in school. It has up to 5 components: English Mathematics, Reading, Science and an optional Writing Test.You can register for the ACT test by going to www.actstudent.org.

2012/2013 ACT Test Dates November 3 December 1 January 26 March 9 May 4 June 1

PLANThe PLAN is taken during your sophomore year of high school. Research shows that students who take the PSAT perform better on the ACT. It is also an indicator of strengths and weaknesses.

Free SAT and ACT Test PreparationMilitary children have the opportunity to order free test preparation materials that has a value of $200. The only charge is $13.84 - $19.99 for shipping and handling.

Please visitwww.eKnowlege.com/MilitaryHomefront

or call951-256-4076

for more information.

College Entrance ExamsPost-Secondary Preparation

TrANSiTiONiNg TO A New SChOOL

Great resources fortransitioning military children:

Military Child Education Coalitionwww.Militarychild.org

Military Impacted Schools Associationwww.militaryimpactedschoolsassociation.org

Military Studentwww.Militaryk12partners.dodea.edu/

Military Teens on the Movewww.apps.mhf.dod.mil/myom

Deployment Support


DeploymentHelping Children UnderstandBooks to Help During the Separation

Mommy You’re My Hero and Daddy You’re My Hero

By Michelle Ferguson-Cohen(ages 4-8)

These two books address deploy-ment from a child’s perspective and talk about this separation in a simplemanner to reassure and comfort small children. The books also suggest tips to main-tain communication and deal with feelings of helplessness.

Night CatchBy Brenda Ehrmantraut

(ages 3-8)

When a soldier’s work takes him halfway around the world, he enlists the help of the North Star for a nightly game of catch with his son. Night Catch is a timeless story that connects families while they are apart and offers comfort-ing hope for their reunion.

Love, Lizzie: Letters to a Military Mom

By Lisa Tucker McElroy(ages 4-12)

Nine-year-old Lizzie writes to her mother, who is deployed overseas during wartime, and includes maps that show her mother what she has been think-ing and doing. The book includes nonfiction tips for helping chil-dren of military families.

When Dad’s at SeaBy Mindy Pelton

(ages 4-8)

Emily’s father, a Navy pilot, is leaving for a six-month deploy-ment on an aircraft carrier. Each day he is gone, she removes one link from the paper chain he made for her, so that she can mark the days until his return.When she makes a friend whose dad has also shipped out, she re-alizes that she is not the only one who feels like she does.

FFSC hosts a monthly “IA Family Connection”that provides families of Individual Augmentee (IA) Deployers an opportunity o share challenges, joys and success strategies. Spouses, parents and children are

able to relax, enjoy craft and fun activities, learn about key resources and network with each other to stay connected throughout the IA deployment of their service member. There have been eight IA Family Connections held this year with four hundred twenty (420) family members in attendance.”

FFSC hosts “Preschool Blocks” and “Kids Crafts”children workshops for various age groups: 1-5 and 3-6 years old, respectively, that are concurrently held with “League of Extraordinary Spouses” workshop. These FFSCs parent and child programs started at one FFSC Site with 2 parents and 2 children in attendance and has continued to expand. FFSC’s children programs are currently held at 3 military housing areas conducted at up to 10 sessions per month with as many as 52 attendees (32 children, 20 adults) and an average of 25 attendees per workshop.

Military Kids Club FFSC Counseling Services and Child and Youth Programs have teamed up to present “Military Kids Club” for children in military families. The club provides an opportunity for children in military families to connect

with each other and offer support with issues such as deployment, making friends, frequent moves, blended families, bullying, teen relationships, self esteem and other growing up issues. The “Military Kids Club”, conducted by FFSC Child Counselors, currently provides an eight-week session of one hour per session in over fifteen community schools.

Fleet and Family Support Center (FFSC) San Diego has established partnerships with six local public libraries, and at local community centers to facilitate FFSC workshops at the libraries and other off-base locations. This enables our customers to attend empowering workshops without leaving their own community. FFSC partnerships with local libraries is also helping to invigorate library usage in the San Diego area. While focused to serve military family customers attending, the workshops are open to the general populace of the libraries and community centers. This allows FFSC to contribute to the Life Skills, Financial Decision Making, and Career Development of people within our communities, and also germinates seeds of greater cooperation between FFSC and community services. For example: On 5 September 2012, FFSC staff who had facilitated a “Kids and Nutrition Class” at North Park Branch Library received an email to connect with the Principal of an area charter school with a large military population for facilitating the same workshop at the school for school parents and faculty.

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Naval Base Ventura County (NBVC) hosted an internship fair on Sept. 19 providing an opportunity for 17 high school seniors from Architecture, Construction, and Engineering (ACE) Charter High School to interview for 6 unpaid internship spots.

Representatives from NBVC Environmental, Naval Construction Training Center (NCTC), Naval Facilities Engineering and Expeditionary Warfare Center, Naval Surface War Center, Port Hueneme Division interviewed the students to select their ideal intern. Additionally, all students received valuable interview skills and feedback.

Capt. Dave Sasek, NBVC’s chief staff officer, and Monica James, NBVC’s school liaison officer have coordinated a group of interested individuals from various tenant commands to form an Education Outreach Team. The team meets monthly to discuss how commands can come together to make a larger impact on the local schools. The internship fair is just the beginning.

NBVC is the county’s largest employer. Therefore, the Education Outreach team feels strongly that it is the responsibility of NBVC and its tenant commands to reach out to the local students as they will be the future workforce.

The internship fair in September will be followed by another in January. The second internship fair will offer students from the local Regional Occupation Program (ROP) the opportunity to take part in interviews as well with more intern spots available.

My Red BalloonBy Eve Bunting

(ages 3-12)

A boy takes his red balloon to greet his Navy dad, who has been away at sea for months. This story shows the joy felt when loved ones come home after serving our country.

We Serve Too! A Child’s Deployment BookBy Kathleen Edlick

(ages 3-8)

This book helps children examine their feelings during deployment and reminds them of the sacrifice being made on behalf of us all.

Red, White and Blue, Good-bye

By Sarah Wones Tomp(ages 3-8)

A Navy father shares special rituals for his little girl to do during his deployment to help her cope with the separation.

Deployment Journal for Kids

By Rachel Robertson(ages 5-adult)

Helps children better understand deployments, express and commu-nicate their feelings, and tell their own story. Journal contains calen-dar pages, journal writing prompts, and interesting facts about com-mon deployment locations, military definitions, helpful ideas, and a pocket to keep mementos.

Brisky Bear and Trooper Dog: Be Kind, Be Friendly,

Be Thankful with CDBy Steve Bolt & Phil Callaway

(ages 4-8)

Although the book is about a separation between a bear and his friend, a dog, it can be easily adapted to help children stay

The Kissing HandBy Audrey Penn

(ages 4-12)

Although Kissing hands specifi-cally focuses on the feelings par-ent and child have when leaving for the first day of school, it can be easily adapted to help children stay connected with deployed parents throughout the separa-tion to make the transition easier for both of them.

Naval Base

Ventura County

is the county’s

largest employer.

NBVCInternship fair


Partnerships In Education

Coronado Unified School District - Silver Strand Elementary School and Village Elementary School both launched a new “Partnership-In-Education” for the 2012-1013 school year. Village developed a partnership with the USS Coronado, and Silver Strand partnered with the USS John Paul Jones.

Partnerships-In-Education (PIE) are part of the school liaisons core services. PIE is a community outreach initiative that partners a Navy command with a local public school. The purpose of these partnerships is to enhance the educational experience for all students and to give back to the community.

Both the USS Coronado and the USS John Paul Jones provide various supports to Village and Silver Strand Elementary Schools. These supports include but are not limited to: mentoring, tutoring, assisting students and teachers during weekly “Specials” rotations (Computer Lab, Library, Science Lab, Visual and Performing Arts), assisting with “Everyone-A-Reader,” Robotics, and Operation PALS, participating in the annual “Jog-a-thon,” “What I Want To Be When I Grow Up Day,” and “Veteran’s Day” events, helping with enrichment clubs, special assemblies, and being overall role models to the students.

If your command would like additional information regarding establishing a PIE or volunteering in any school events in San Diego, please feel free to contact your installation School Liaison Officer, available at http://navylifesw.com/slo or the Regional School Liaison Officer, 619-532-4251.

Coronado’s Village Elementary School and Silver Strand Elementary School launch two new

“Partnerships-in-education”By: Kelly Donahue, NBC SLO


At 29 years old, father of 3, CS2 Derrick Hollins, has made a tremendous impact through his volunteer work with local schools. By day, CS2 Hollins is the Port Hueneme Barracks Complex Manager and Naval Base Ventura County (NBVC) Junior Sailor of the Quarter. However, after hours and anywhere in between, he is fitting in time to give back to the local community.

On Tuesday, September 11, Farb Middle School held a Patriot’s Day Ceremony to honor and remember those who lost their lives on that day. The ceremony also served to honor our military, fire fighters and police who serve our county on a daily basis.

CS2 Derrick hollins

Patriot’s DayCeremony at

FarbMiddleSchool

Principal Susan Levy led the service with opening remarks and was followed by the Naval Medical Center San Diego (NMCSD) Color Guard. Pre-op nurse, LT Eric Banker from NMCSD sang the National Anthem and later delivered the address to students, staff and parents.

It was a simple and memorable celebration to remember those who were sacrificed, as well as to honor those who serve our country every day.

CS2 Derrick Hollinsis a great example

of how military members can makea difference in the

local schools and the local community.

While volunteering with the EO Green Jr High/NBVC Mentorship in Action lunch time program last year, he was approached by the Asst. Principal who’d heard he had done some coaching. Soon after, CS2 Hollins was the new 6th grade boys’ basketball coach. In addition to volunteering hours at EO Green

Jr High, CS2 is also a volunteer coach for the Oxnard Panthers PeeWee football team, the Boys’ & Girls’ Club flag football team, and a volunteer coach for the NBVC Child & Youth Programs basketball, flag football, and soccer programs. Just when you might think he doesn’t have any other hours in the day, he also volunteers feeding the homeless at the Ventura County Rescue Mission.

During the work day, he also represents NBVC on the Multi-cultural Day Committee, is on the Command Assessment Team, Command Training Team, and is an active member on the command’s MWR team.

He is doing all of this while working on his AA degree, working towards promoting to E-6, and hoping to earn Junior Sailor of the Year. Long term, CS2 Hollins hopes to make Chief, retire from the Navy, earn his Masters’ degree, and spend his retirement teaching and coaching middle school/high school students.

PIE VolunteerHighlight on


Home School Linkage

Homeschool is a wonderful educa-tional experience for families and children. The freedom to custom-ize and tailor the educational career for one’s child is both rewarding and challenging. After a certain age though, it might be time to con-sider sending your child out into the world and into the wonderful, magi-cal land of an Internship.

Internships are becoming more and more popular at the high school level. These experiences are a great opportunity for your teenage student to get a taste of the real world. Teenagers love to think of themselves as, “little adults”, with an internship they will have the opportunity to learn what it is to be an actual adult and to learn what really happens in a work environment.

A few things to take into consideration before you seek out internship opportunities are:

• Whatismy child interested in?• Canmychildwritearesumeandcoverletter?• Doesmychild have the maturity to commit to an internship?

With this information in hand, you can begin the investigative work involved in preparing for and seeking out an internship. Focusing on your child’s interests will help to develop an interest and excitement for completing an internship. If your student hasn’t had experience writing a cover letter or resume, create lesson plans designed to increase these skills. Teaching your child to focus on their skills and abilities will help them to make the connection between the experiences they have and how those experiences can benefit an employer. Deciding if your child is ready to commit to an internship is also very important. A child needs to be developmentally ready and have the level of maturity to follow

Maybe an

internshipwould be right for my student?

Develop a plan for what

companies you will target .

through with an internship. This is a critical conversation that can lead to the development of many enriching lessons. Preparing your child for an internship can happen over a span of time or can happen right away, depending on the readiness of the student.

When you and your child are ready to begin searching for an internship, develop a plan for what companies you will target, define what type of internship you are looking for, and be sure to have that cover letter and resume ready. High school level home school families often have a connection to their local community college; take the time to connect with the career counselor on campus and discuss what internships might be available in your community. Another resource is through

USAjobs.gov. The government has streamlined their access to student internship opportunities. Do a search for, “Pathways” and you will get a list of all the student internships available throughout the United States. These internships aren’t just for college graduates; many are available for students at the high school level, best of all, as a home school student your child isn’t locked into a public school schedule.

Another thing to take into consideration is that an internship can be very simple or it can be complex. Perhaps there is a small business in your community that would be willing to let your student observe what’s involved with managing a small business, maybe your child could plan some job shadow days with a parent or a family friend, or maybe they will land that dream internship with NASA that could potentially lead into a lifelong career. With any type of internship, what your child gains from the experience will certainly be something that will stay with them for the rest of their lives.


EFMP Resources

Building our bridges and connecting each piece. Together we focus on empowerment for improving the quality of lives for our special needs families. Emphasizing support, resources and a social forum to connect and share information.See left for dates and locations.

Our monthly meeting will focuson the following themes:

January 4 Quality of Life

February 1 Health and Wellness

March 7 Military Saves

April 4 Military Child Appreciation

May 2 Spouse Appreciation

June 6 Summer Fun

July 11 Home Organization

August 1 EFMP Game Night

September 5 Back to School Night

October 3 Fall Festival

November 7 Giving Thanks

December 11 Happy Holidays

Hosted by Fleet and Family Support CenterSan Diego Regional Center • 6 pm4355 Ruffin Road, Suite 200San Diego, CA 92123

ServingExCEPTiONAL FAMiLiESExCEPTiONAL SErviCE

November 7relaxation Techniques

December 12Potluck (evening)

JaNuary 16Jump into the New Year!

February 20resources

Join us for

Monthly Meet-Upsevery Third Wednesday of the Month9-10:30 amGateway Village Community Center2741 Mendonca Drive, San Diego, CA 92110*Some dates, times, topics and locations may change, please call to confirm.

These events are open to famlies who are enrolled or are in the process of enrolling in the EFMP.All branches of service are invited. Children are welcome.

FAMiLY CArE MCrD SAN DiEGO

march 20Cooking Class

april 17Balboa Park

may 15Date Night (evening)

JuNe 19Spouse Appreciation

2012-13 Calendar

Marine Corps Recruit Depot,San DiegoElizabeth Wright619-524-8086

www.mccsmcrd.com/efmp.htmlfacebook.com/mccsmcrdsd.efmp

Navy Region SouthwestBarbara Regan619-556-7218

www.cnic.navy.mil/navylifeswfaecbook.com/navyefmp.sandiego

eXCePTiONAL FAMiLY CONNeCTiON

Come meet with other familiesand build your resource network.

For additional and child care

options call619-571-4781

or the front deskat 858-277-4259.

Kelly DonahueCoronado/South Bay/

Imperial Beach

kelly .donahue@navy .mil619-247-9109

Chanin MassagliaEast County/Santee/

Lemon Grove/El Centro

chanin .massaglia@navy .mil619-247-9082

Tina PaulsonCoastal Schools/Point Loma

tina .paulson@navy .mil858-431-6482

Monica JamesNaval Base Ventura County

monica .james@navy .mil805-989-5211

Margaret GladdersNAS Lemoore

margaret .gladders@navy .mil559-998-2242

Melissa BurnsNAS Fallon

melissa .l .burns@navy .mil775-426-3738

Tina WekellNSA/Monterey

ecwekell@nps .edu831-656-1008

Your NavySchool Liasion

Contacts

www .facebook .com/sandiegoschoolliaison

ACADEMICANCHoR

November-December 2012

AShannon Milder

Navy Region SouthwestRegional School Liaison Officer

shannon .milder@navy .mil619-532-4251

Paula EmmertNavy Region Southwest

Deputy School Liaison Officer

paula .emmert@navy .mil858-349-7678

Michelle LangeMurphy Canyon/Downtown

michelle .lange2@navy .mil 619-991-2509