Susan Kleinsmith, a military spouse and important part of a retired Army family, is now with a Northern Virginia school district on their library staff. She has put together a wonderful transition tool that school and community libraries can offer to help families thru these transitions -- MFHS LIBRARY TRANSITION SHELF. As MFHS "team" members, you can offer this program to your own schools and installations.
Army Sgt. Maj. James A. McGruder recently graced the Prince William County Board of Supervisors Board chambers with a recitation of “I Am the Flag,” an ode to the flag of the United States of America. Sgt. McGruder provided the presentation at the invitation of Supervisor Victor Angry, considering the upcoming Memorial Day remembrance.
As school districts begin exploring summer school programs, and some even consider a transition to year round learning, this has the potential to once again put military students at a disadvantage.
In 1986 the Department of Defense determined that the youngest of those with a connection to the military deserved recognition for their selfless service. And from that, The Month of the Military Child was born. For 35 years now we have been reminded of these military-connected children and the manner with which they influence their family’s service role.
In honor of April, the Month of the Military Child, Military Families for High Standards would like to share several online resources that could help military parents and students navigating learning amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
Today, the United States celebrates National Vietnam War Veterans Day and provides all Americans an opportunity to thank Vietnam veterans and their families for their service and sacrifice and to recognize former prisoners of war and the families of those still listed as missing in action. March 29 was chosen as the day to honor Vietnam veterans in perpetuity out of acknowledgment that it was that the same day in 1973 when United States Military Assistance Command, Vietnam was disestablished and the final U.S. combat troops departed Vietnam.
- By LaTonya Kilgo
As a military family with school age children, we, like most military families, have had our share of transitions. We have come to understand that through these transitions we learn how to become [dare I say it] resilient, even if we are unaware. My children are learning to accept change – a little more readily, they are learning to say good-bye – a little more gracefully, they are open to new experiences – a bit easier than most, they are learning to welcome that which is different and unfamiliar - a bit easier than others, they are learning that not everything is going to go as planned and how to react when those instances occur. In March of 2020, as we were faced with the onset of the news of a global pandemic; it was such a perplexing time, filled with uncertainty and lack of information. Just how would we/they respond to such an intense transition from how things around them were, to what they were becoming in our lives?
On August 13, Thomas Brady, the Director for the Department of Education Activity at DoDEA made a public announcement regarding the opening of the new school terms for 2020-2021.
While this information was directed to military families with children enrolled in DoDEA schools overseas as well as stateside, it is also important to understand the kinds of impacts such information makes on military families in general. Military families are accustomed to these kinds of procedural decisions. They regularly receive similar information on a wide variety of topics that affect their lives. So whether or not they have children enrolled in a DoDEA school/program, the content, presentation, insight and forethought it extends is customary for them. This is the same information they are seeking in their own districts, from their own civilian communities that serve their children where they are stationed.
BY CHRISTI HAM
The new school year has begun for almost all students - a brand new start that encompasses MANY brand new experiences and educational requirements.
As the final offering of our Blog Series on the 2020 Advanced Placement Testing Program, it's an important moment to be reminded of that process and to initiate some action for next year's testing based on information and data now available. Being pro-active at the start of this new year will be beneficial come testing time in the Spring.
By: Christi Ham
Last month, reminders were given by our team at MFHS to make a special effort to evaluate the results from this year's AP Testing. Realizing that it was an experience like no other, amid a pandemic, with changes made to the testing format, timing, and ability to utilize notes and materials to formulate a response to a challenging essay question, the additional demands on military-connected students stationed overseas were highlighted. On top of all the demands of this year's testing experience, these students had to take the exam during timeslots that matched their stateside peers -- which meant they tested during the late hours of the night or early hours of a new day.
By CHRISTI HAM
Smack dab in the middle of the stay-at-home directive to battle COVID-19, thousands of young Americans completed their rigorous preparations for the Advanced Placement testing and then took the equally rigorous tests. They had spent a year working diligently to approach the testing date with proper skills so that they might receive college credit for their efforts. Among those thousands were students of military families stationed around the globe.
HOW MILITARY FAMILIES CAN PLAN FOR POST-PANDEMIC K12 EDUCATION
By CHRISTI HAM
As military families begin preparing for what their children’s education might look like following the pandemic, there are a number of considerations and resources available to help navigate these unprecedented times, including a brand new School Liaison Guide from Military Families for High Standards.
MILITARY FAMILIES DEAL WITH EDUCATIONAL DISRUPTION ALL THE TIME – HERE ARE SOME OF THEIR LESSONS-LEARNED TO HELP ALL PARENTS WEATHER THE PANDEMIC
By CHRISTI HAM
Educational flux is part of the job description for military families. Military families move every two to three years, so disruption in a child's education is typical for the offspring of service members.
So, it seemed very reasonable to get expertise from military spouses who know a thing or two about how to weather the current educational disruption caused by the coronavirus. We queried members of Military Families for High Standards for tips to temper disruption. We compiled their answers below in hopes that they might provide all parents with some valuable insights about enduring disruption.
PREPARING FOR A PERMANENT CHANGE OF STATION MEANS PREPARING FOR A SCHOOL CHANGE
It’s that time of year again. It’s the season of change for many military-connected students. With hints of a change in weather, the season also hints at upcoming change of location and schools for military families. Just like preparing for a permanent change of station (PCS), families need to prepare to change school with the same sense of purpose.
Here are five easy, but important, steps families should take before the inevitable end of school and beginning boxes.
TIPS ON HOW SCHOOLS CAN ACCLIMATE MILITARY-CONNECTED KIDS USING INFORMATION GARNERED BY THE MILITARY STUDENT IDENTIFIER
During “back to school” periods, teachers and school administrators are often on the lookout for effective ways in which to better integrate military-connected students who are new to a school system.
There are effective efforts being implemented in several communities around the country, but this resource particularly highlights best practices from the Virginia Beach, Virginia and Knob Noster, Missouri school systems – both of which are home to sizeable populations of military students. To continue reading, click “Read more” below.
SCHOOL TRANSITIONS AN EDUCATIONAL ODYSSEY FOR MILITARY FAMILIES
Military families have a unique view of education in America.
Military-connected students rarely start or finish their K-12 education in the same school district, let alone the same state. The average military family moves every one to three years. Some of those moves are from one state to another, while others are overseas. With each move, many military service members bring their family to resettle into new communities and attend new schools. To continue reading, click “Read more” below.
AS MILITARY KIDS HEAD BACK TO SCHOOL, HIGH STANDARDS SHOULD BE THE RALLYING CRY
By Patti Hunzeker
As a teacher and member of a military family, I have a unique perspective on how military-connected children are educated. I know first-hand that our children have the special challenge of frequent moves across the country and overseas that can seriously impact their education.
This piece was originally published on October 07, 2019 on Medium. The original post is accessible here.
