Information Newsletter - Moody AFB Force Support Squadron

Moody AFB School Liaison Officer &
Exceptional Family Member Program-Family
Services Coordinator
August 2016, Vol 8, # 8
Information Newsletter
Inside this edition of “Tidbits”
It’s Back to School Time!
Page 1: SLO “Focus On” column
Page 2: More Education News
Page 3: Windy’s Corner
Page 4: SLO/EFMP Calendar & Resources
Page 5: More Resources
Focus On: Back to School for 2016-2017 SY
Ann E. Lukens, School Liaison Officer
School begins this month for most public schools in South Georgia.
We’ll soon be sharing the roads with yellow buses.
School Supply lists: School supply lists are posted on individual
Lowndes Co school websites (www.lowndes.k12.ga.us). Valdosta City
Schools has all the Back-to-School information you could use under
“Parents” on their website (www.gocats.org). Students that attend
Berrien and Lanier Co School should check their respective websites.
If you find you still need something, go to the Base Exchange which is
always “tax free”.
If you haven’t already done so, it’s time to get the kiddos back on a
regular sleep schedule. They will need to get more sleep as they re-set
their biological clocks. This change should include not using their
electronic devices before going to sleep.
For those new to the Moody community, please check out the registration information on page 2.
Just about all schools schedule “Open House” events. Berrien Co will
hold their event on 2 Aug from 1600-1800. Lowndes Co elementary
schools will be open on 2 Aug from 1400-1600; Pine Grove Elementary
will have their annual Information Fair in their gym. Valdosta City
Schools are scheduled for either 3 or 4 Aug. Check out their website for
details.
All schools provide bus transportation. That information is available
during the Open House. Otherwise please call the Transportation Office
for your district using the number listed on page 2.
School districts enrolled in the US Dept of Agriculture Community
Eligibility Provision pr ovide fr ee br eakfast and lunch for all their students during the school year. Berrien Co, Lanier Co and Valdosta City
Schools are enrolled. Parents in Lowndes Co Schools will need to apply
for Free & Reduced Meals when their students start classes.
Join the SLO, Youth Center Staff,
parents and students for a “hands-on”
demonstration on Mon, 15 Aug 2016 at
the Youth Center to learn how this
resource can make your student’s life easier in the new school year.
Information of Note/Resources
for Students and Parents
Check out the College Board website for free
SAT practice questions and latest on the
revised SAT (https://sat.collegeboard.org/)
Are you looking for low-cost SAT and ACT
test preparation programs? Take the time to
visitwww.eknowledge.com/
affiliate_welcome.asp?coupon=FBEC67159 or
call (951) 256-4076
Are you interested in private school? Call the SLO
Did you know your child can attend free, online public
school in GA? Visit the SLO for more information.
Home School Association for Military Families/HSAMF
Visit www.hsamf.org or call (402) 906-9766
PO Box 642221, Omaha NE 68164
“Moody Home School Connection”
Our families are on break for the
summer. Check them out in August
Local Home School Support Groups
Valdosta Innovative Network of Educators
(www.homeschool-life/ga/valdostahomeschool)
Classical Conversations
(aking@classicalconversations.com)
Georgia Dept of Education Homepage
(http://www.gadoe.org/Pages/Home.aspx)
Local Public School Websites:
Lowndes County Schools
(www.lowndes.k12.ga.us)
Valdosta City Schools (www.gocats.org)
Lanier County Schools (www.lanier.k12.ga.us)
Berrien County Schools (www.berrien.k12.ga.us)
It’s time to clear out the old… this is my last SLO-EFMP Tidbits as I
will retire at the end of this month after nearly 33 years of service,
with 29 of those years spent in support of Air Force personnel, spouses
and kiddos. It has been a challenge and privilege to be part of this
base’s mission for so many years. Never forget to take care of each
other! God Bless each and every one of you!
Ann E. Lukens
Scintilla Charter Academy
(www.scintillacharteracademy.com)
Remember: You can’t learn if you
are not in class everyday.
1
Military Child
Education Mission:
“Connecting
Families,
Communities and
Schools”
The Moody AFB School Liaison Officer is located in
the Airman & Family Readiness Center (Bldg 400);
Suite 120 for your convenience. The office number is
(229) 257-4380. After 31 August 2016, please contact
the A&FRC for assistance at 229-257-3333.
School Liaison Officer (SLO) Notes & News Brief:
New Student Registration requirements:
Proof of Residence: (e.g., current electric, gas, water, cable/satellite, sanitation bill or lease/purchase agreement). Note: Berrien Co r esidents must
take a copy of their proof of residence to the 9-1-1 office in Nashville for
verification and bring both 9-1-1 verification and proof of residence to school.
GA Dept of Public Health Form 3231 (Immunization): Military families
must take child’s shot record to Immunization Clinic during Walk-In Hours
(Mon-Fri, 0730-1630; Closed Wed 0730-0930); form will be completed and
signed (*)
GA Dept of Public Health Form 3300 (Hearing, Vision, Dental, Nutrition):
Child must accompany military parent; go to Pediatric or Family Health Clinic
during Walk-in Hours (Mon-Fri, 1300-1500) where form will be completed
and signed (*)
(*) Personnel with off-base Primary Care Managers (PCMs) must have
Forms completed by their civilian providers.
Registration Locations:
Berrien Co (229-686-2081), Lanier Co (229-482-3966) and Valdosta
City Schools (229-333-8500) register their new students at the school
he/she will attend. Call the Central Office number listed for latest
information.
Lowndes Co Schools r egister new students at Centr al Registr ation
(1592 Norman Dr) on 0800-1400/Mon-Thurs and 0800-1300/Fri on
“first come-first serve” basis. It re-opened 18 July for enrollment. To
avoid making multiple trips downtown, the MAFB SLO recommends
that parents take signed medical forms when going to Central
Registration as they will not register child w/o these records.
School Contact Information: Militar y per sonnel must update their
emergency notification data when arriving at a new duty station. Make
sure that your child’s school has the correct home address, duty and
cell phone for use in case of a medical or other emergency.
The Military Child Education Coalition (www.militarychild.org/)
has information on a wide range of topics for military families and
for children of all ages.
Don’t let your student
struggle or fall behind. Try
www.tutor.com/military
and get help from a live
tutor! Are you a busy teen? Try their online app. Parents are
encouraged to set up their student’s account early in the school year.
Visit SLO link on www.moodyfss.com by clicking on “Facilities”, then click
on “Family”, then scroll down to “Military Child Education”. You can also
access this site by clicking on “Getting Settled” under “PCSing to Moody” at
the top of the Moody homepage (www.moody.af.mil).
Announcements:
No Closures
Federal Holiday: None
School Begins this Month:
Berrien Co = 4 August
Lanier Co = 29 July
Lowndes Co = 4 August
Valdosta City = 5 August
Scintilla Charter Academy will begin
classes on 10 August
“GA Military Family Act “
GA Dept of Education Rule 160-51-.10,
“Student
Attendance”,
section 7 permits military students
to spend up to 5 days with a parent
preparing to deploy into OR
returning from war zone. The
military member or spouse may
complete the form; get the
signature of Commander or First
Sergeant and bring it/scan and
email it to the SLO’s office.
Letters must be submitted and
Superintendent’s approval is
received BEFORE a student is
taken out of class.
NOTE: Lowndes Co/Valdosta
City School Parents: ALL
absences to include those taken
IAW GA Military Family Act
count IAW the current Lowndes
County Juvenile Truancy Protocol
totals listed in document.
Public School
Student Bus
Transportation
If you have a question
about your child’s bus stop, bus number, or the time the bus will arrive,
please call the number listed below
for your specific school district:
Berrien Co Schools:
229-686-2527
Lanier Co Schools:
229-482-3966
Lowndes Co Schools:
229-245-2257
Valdosta City Schools:
229-245-5640
Under GA DoE Rule 160-5-3-.13.
Student Safety, loading limit for any
bus may not exceed 120% of the
manufacturer’s rated seating capacity. Ex: A 66-passenger bus may not
exceed 76 students. No student
should be standing in the bus aisle or
sitting on another student’s lap.
2
MAFB Exceptional Family Member
Windy’s Corner:
Program Coordinator
My Name is Windy Scott and I am your Moody AFB Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP)-Family Support Coordinator.
Please stop by the
A&FRC and let me know what you need. You can reach me by email
windy.scott.2@us.af.mil or call 257-3335 to make an appointment!
Your EFMP-Medical is Ms. LaShayla Dyer and can be reached by calling 257-2893.
She is located in the Base Gym room 124.
A New School Year Begins
School will begin next week and everyone will be settling back
into schedules and routines. If you are a family with a child
with special needs there are a few things you can do to start the
school year in the right direction.
Create a binder for your child's new teacher and consider including:
1. A short biography about your child, share some of the highlights/struggles. Help to
create a connection and understanding of who your child is.
2. If your child currently has an individualized education program (IEP) put a copy of
this in the binder so the teacher can read their current IEP plan.
3. If your child has a disability you may want to include information about it such as autism or attention deficit disorder. The center for disease control can provide one page
sheets that provide an overview and information. If your child has ADHD check out
the resources on National Resources Center on ADHD or http://help4adhd.org/en/
about/wwk.
4. If your child is being seen by a specialist such as a social worker, psychologist, or
speech therapist provide any information that helps the teacher work with your child.
This is extremely important and provides insight into your child’s strengths. Share
what has worked in the past.
5. Provide information on how you and the teacher can communicate. Create a partnership at the beginning of school year and get to know you child’s teacher. Become part
of the parent advisory council and if possible become a volunteer at your child’s
school.
6. Share important information that may affect your child. Military members deploy reg-
ularly letting the teacher know about significant changes in the home are important.
Remember, the start of school is a hectic time for teachers. Even with the best intentions,
they may not want to spend their free time reading reams of material. Give them time to
settle in and then check in with the teacher to see how things are going.
3
MAFB School Liaison & Exceptional Family Member Program Calendar: August 2016
Monday
1
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
2
3
4
Berrien Co = 4 Aug; Lowndes
Co = 4 Aug;
Valdosta City = 5 Aug; Scintilla Charter Academy = 10 Aug
“Give Parents a Break”: 13 Aug 16;
Call CDC/YP; Reservations are required
Friday
5
Transition GPS; 1-5 Aug 2016; Call 257-3333 to sign up
9
10
8
0730
Wing
Right
Start
@
Club
0830 Remote Tour Seminar
Berrien Co BoE Mtg/1900
0900 Smooth Move Seminar
Lanier Co BoE Mtg/1900
15
16
Lowndes Co BoE Mtg/1830
29
17
School Supply Drive
1100-1300
Operation Homefront
Call 257-3333
23
24
0730 Wing Right Start @ Club
30
31
Classes & Events subject to change so please call agency:
A&FRC = 257-3333; CDC = 257-9220; Youth Center = 257-3067
In case of disaster, log into https://afpaas.af.mil
12
Transition GPS, 15-19 Aug 2016; Call 257-3333 to sign up
Valdosta City BoE Mtg/1900
22
11
Family Connection
Weekly Playgroup
will resume Friday,
12 Aug 2016
18
19
Family Advocacy26
Classes:
To Sign Up, please call 229-257-4805
25
Breast Feeding/17 Aug (1330-1600); Dads: The Basics/19
Aug (1330-1530); Active Parenting of Teens/18, 20, 25, 27
Aug (1130-1330); Fearless Marriage/1, 8, 15, 22 Aug (11301330); Crossroad to Parenting-Divorce/5 Aug (1200-1600);
FASES/3 Aug(0900-1300); Avoid Falling for Jerk/26 Aug
(1200-1600); 7 Habits Effective Teens/3 Aug(1700-1900)
Not sure about a product? Check out Consumer Product Safety Commission (www.cpsc.gov)
Educational Services, and EFMP Resources:
Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) Services
We have a number of agencies providing ABA services to families
with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Please contact your EFMP
Family Support Coordinator for a current listing. The cost of services may be covered by TRICARE ECHO.
Need to Talk to Someone?
Call the Moody Military Family Life Consultant
229-561-7915.
Or do you have an issue involving your child?
Call Child & Youth Behavioral Consultant 229-561-7924.
These consultations are FREE and Confidential
Jacobs Ladder is a Therapeutic Horseback Riding facility. For more information,
please contact the EFMP Coordinator or the SLO. You can also look at their
website by going to www.jacobsladderriding.com or call Leslie Jacobs at
794-1188 for more information.
Is your State Parent Training Institute. They provide support information and
training to families that have children with disabilities. Do
you want to talk to a parent who understands what
you’re going through? Do you want to volunteer to be a
parent to talk to
Visit:ww.p2pga.org/ or call 1-800-229-2038.
Moody Family Connections Playgroup:
Meets every Friday except for days school is out from 10-11:30
at the Youth Center. Ages 0-4 please let us know if you need
any accommodations. Please stay in touch with our Facebook
group: Moody Family Connections : to ensure location of playgroup changes
Easter Seals of Southern Georgia
610 N. Patterson Street, Suite A, Valdosta GA 31601
Easter Seals offers many programs such as respite care, family support, vocational training, specialized medical equipment, and communication devices for
children 3 years and up that have a diagnosis of Autism or Developmental
Disabilities. Please visit http://southerngeorgia.easterseals.com for more information call 229-247-5912.
Jacob’s Ladder Therapeutic Horseback Riding
Military OneSource has a wealth of infor mation on the
Exceptional Family Member Program from webinars to
toolkits. Take a few minutes to tour their website to learn
more: http://www.militaryonesource.mil/efmp
The Ballet School
The Ballet School offers a FREE class for children with disabilities. Please
contact Kelly Smith, Artistic Director, at 229-219-9949 or by email at info@the
balletschool-llc.com. This class is open to all ages, all types of special needs;
male and female.
Military OneSource provides 60-minute consultations, up to 12 times a year, with a Special Needs Specialty Consultant. The consultant will
assess your family’s needs and answer your questions about moving benefits, education, finances, housing, support groups, medical resources,
and more. To schedule your consultation, call Military OneSource at 1-800-342-9647 and ask for an appointment with a Special Needs Specialty
Consultant
4
Support/Advocacy Groups/Respite
Military
OneSource
Miracle League of
Valdosta
Specialty
SOS Kids:
Consultations
Baseball Program
for children
& adultsconsultations,
with any disability
Military OneSource
provides
60-minute
up to 12 times aSupport
year, withgroup
a Special
Specialty
The
forNeeds
parents
with Consultant.
children with
www.miracleleagueofvaldosta.com
Valdosta Multiple Sclerosis
Support Group:
Meets 3rd Thursday of each month
Smith Northview Hospital; 6:30
Cafeteria
Website: http://www.valmssgroup.com/
Georgia Advocacy Office
This office provides information and referral
for resources. You can call 1-800-537-2329.
They can provide free information and legal
advice when appropriate
For more information go to www.thegao.org
or email
Down Syndrome Association
of
South Georgia Support Group
Meets every second Saturday of the Month
1000-Noon
Email: info@southgeorgiadsa.org
www.southgeorgiadsa.org
First Christian Church
1905 N. Patterson Street
Alzheimer Support Group
and
Day Care Program
My Friend’s House: Valdosta State University Alzheimer day care
program. Call 229-293-6146.
Support Group meets 3r d Wed of ever y month.
Alzheimer Caregiver Time Out (ACTO): 245-9094
all
types of special needs.
Please contact Tammy Greenway 319-0392 or email at
Jamcade@bellsouth.net for more information.
Facebook Groups
Community Apraxia Support
FASTvaldosta: Autism Support
P2P Navigator Team SWGA
Southern GA Kids with Disabilities
Special Needs Parents of Georgia
Down Syndrome Association of South Georgia
National Alliance Mental Illness (NAMI)
Support Group
Currently being held held 4th Monday at 6PM:
For More information please call
Jane Osborne at:
osbo1933@bellsouth.net
www.NAMI.org.
FAST
Family Autism Support Team
Meets the 2nd Saturday of each Month
First Christian Church 1905 N. Patterson Street
1:30-3 Find them on Facebook: Fastvaldosta
Contact: Ashley Jones: 229-630-8262
Mended Hearts of South Georgia
For more information go to their
Facebook Page
Mended Little Hearts of South Georgia or contact SGMC for more information
Looking for a Play Group
Check out
Parenting in Valdosta Playgroup
Kids and Coffee
Moody AFB Moms
Moody Playgroups
Moody Family Connection Playgroup
AF Respite (FREE)
Are you registered? If you have a child that has been
diagnosed as moderate or severe than you may qualify
for an Air Force Funded Respite Program. This program provides 12 hrs. of care for all children in the
home. Contact your EFMP-FS Coordinator to find out
more: 227-3335
Online Child and Adolescent
Bipolar Support Group for Families
Go to www.bpkids.org and connect with other
parents.
This is a free online support group.
Click join a support group and mention military in the comment box.
Connect with other military families now.
Depression and Bipolar Online Support Groups for Adults
Go to http://www.dbsalliance.org/ click on Peer Support
MOPS “Mothers of Preschoolers
Sep-May
Contact mopsvaldota@gmail.com
Meets the 1st & 3rd Wednesday from 9:30-11
Trinity Presbyterian Church
3501 Bemis Road
Facebook: Trinity Presbyterian MOPS
YMCA Challenger League
The Challenger League program offers recreational opportunities for children
with physical or mental disabilities. Their philosophy is to help each child experience as much success as possible in a non-competitive environment. The program
operates year round; basketball in the fall, indoor soccer in the winter, baseball in
the spring and bowling and swimming in the summer: There is no cost to participants For more information contact: Cheryl 244-4646 or go to:
http://www.valdostaymca.org/challenger_league.php
Specialized Training of Military
Parents (STOMP)
Parent Training Institute federally funded and
established to assist military families who have
children with special education or health needs. To access their services please go to www.stompproject.org or call 1-800-572-7368 to
find the main office nearest you.
5