Information Newsletter - Moody AFB Force Support Squadron

Moody AFB School Liaison Officer &
Exceptional Family Member Program-Family
Services Coordinator
Information Newsletter
May 2016, Vol 8, # 5
Inside this edition of “Tidbits”
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: It’s PCS Time Again...
Ann E. Lukens, School Liaison Officer
For military families, a PCS move is inevitable. Your kiddos may not
be excited when you announce the move. From their perspective...
They will have to say “good-bye”. As parents you may hear, “no, I
don’t want to go… you are ruining my life!...I’m a junior (senior) and I
want to finish high school here!” Younger children may cry and become
clingy as you’re trying to sort through clothes and other stuff.
Finally the movers arrive. As the adult, you’re busy. The kiddos
may not be saying too much as they watch their belongings disappear
into boxes, but they are thinking. There are already worried that they
won’t fit in with the kids in their new neighborhood or school. You may
hear, “what if they don’t like me?... “What if I can’t find someone to be
my friend?” These fears continue throughout the actual move. I can
guarantee that someone will ask you, at least once, “are we there yet?”
You finally arrive; you and the kiddos are being welcomed by unit
members (e.g., Key Spouse, sponsor). The van with the boxes arrives.
Soon everyone is busy setting up their space. Before heading off to the
first day at the new school, you hear, “they’ll laugh at me...I won’t have
anyone to eat lunch with…” Hopefully within a week or two, you may
hear, “maybe this place isn’t so bad.” You know then that you are home
again. For military families, home isn’t a place. It’s where our family is.
The 101 Critical Days of Summer begin Memorial Day weekend.
Please remember to make safety part of all your travel plans.
Beat the Summer Slump this 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”
Come join this free military family home
school group on 1st and 3rd Thurs from 1300-1445
monthly at Youth Center. Look for the house listed
on meeting dates. Call 257-3067/stop by Bldg 1804.
Local Support group
Valdosta Innovative Network of Educators
(VINE) is the local support group. Visit
(www.homeschool-life/ga/valdostahomeschool)
or on Facebook. Monthly meetings; fee charged
Georgia Dept of Education Homepage
(http://www.gadoe.org/Pages/Home.aspx)
Local Public School Websites:
Lowndes County Schools
(www.lowndes.k12.ga.us)
Take time to read for 15 minutes
every day during summer vacation.
Valdosta City Schools (www.gocats.org)
Lanier County Schools (www.lanier.k12.ga.us)
Berrien County Schools (www.berrien.k12.ga.us)
Please Note: The School Liaison Officer is open fr om 0800-1630 MondayFriday except on Federal Holidays. If SLO must be gone, she will announce it in
“Bits & Pieces” and in an “Out-of-Office” message. When the A&FRC is closed
for training, please use door with the handicap ramp at end of Bldg 400 closest to
the outdoor Base Pool. Turn right to enter A&FRC; SLO’s office is on the left side
of the hallway. Thank you!
Scintilla Charter Academy
(www.scintillacharteracademy.com)
Remember: You can’t learn if you
are not in class everyday.
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Military Child
Education Mission:
“Connecting
Families,
Communities and
Schools”
I’m Ann Lukens, your School Liaison Officer. My
hours are 0800-1630 Mon-Fri. My office is located for
your convenience in the Airman & Family Readiness
Center (Bldg 400); Suite 120. My phone number is
(229) 257-4380. Feel free to come by and chat. My
office is open during lunch hours (1100-1300).
School Liaison Officer (SLO) Notes & News Brief:
PCS Checklist for School Moves
(as suggested by the Military Child Education Coalition/MCEC)

Course Description Book (absolutely essential for high school students)
 School Profile
 Attendance and Tardy Records
 Report Card/Withdrawal Grades. Ideally grades should be listed as
numeric values rather than letter grades due to difference in state grading
policies. This is especially true for middle and high school students)
 Current Schedule

Transcript/Course History (with local grading system)
 Class Rank
 Cumulative Folder
 Testing Information
 Health Records including Shot (Immunization) Records
 Birth Certificate
 Social Security Number
 Activities Record: This is a good opportunity to include information
about a student’s extracurricular activities (e.g., band, clubs and/or sports)
 IEP/504/Gifted Records (Essential)
 JROTC Records
 Guardianship/Custody Papers/Proof of Primary Custodian Authority
 Fees Owed
 Alternative School Records
 Letters of Recommendations (especially for senior students)
 If available, include writing samples, At-Risk or Action Plans for classroom modifications, Portfolio, Accelerated Reader Points, and
Service Learning Hours
Anyone who has ever attended the Moody AFB Smooth
Move seminar or looked thr ough the MAFB M ilitary
Child Education Program/MCEP Guide is probably familiar
with the (above) list. It was developed and published by the
Military Child Education Coalition (MCEC) in 2007.
Moving with a child or any age can be challenging. It
gets more complicated as a child grows older and enters school. Military
students experience an average of 6-9 moves between entering Kindergarten
and High School graduation.
If there is a move in your future, stop by the SLO’s office for information
about the schools at your new location and name of your new SLO.
Don’t let your student struggle or fall
behind. Take advantage of this DoDfunded service. Go to www.tutor.com/
military and get help from a live tutor!
Use online app for busy middle and high school students!
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:
SLO Office Closed: 27 & 30 May
Federal Holiday: Memorial Day
School Closings for Summer:
Berrien Co = 27 May
Lanier Co = 20 May
Lowndes Co = 20 May
Valdosta City = 20 May
Scintilla Charter Academy:
13 & 29 –30 May
“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.
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MAFB Exceptional Family Member
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.
Windy’s Corner:
May Awareness:
Cancer Research Month, (Relay for Life), Military Appreciation Month, Asthma and Allergy
Awareness Month, National Mental Health Month
Relay For Life
Each year, more than 4 million people in over 20 countries raise much needed funds and awareness to save lives from cancer through relay for life movement. Moody Warriors will be participating this year on 6 May at Lowndes High School Relay for Life! Stop by our Booth.
Resource:
http://relay.acsevents.org
Military Appreciation Month
Congress designated May as National Military Appreciation Month in 1999 to ensure the nation was given the opportunity to publically demonstrate their appreciation for the sacrifices and successes made by our service members past and present. Each year the president makes a proclamation, reminding Americans of the important role the U.S.
Armed Forces have played in the history and development of our country
Resource:
http://www.nmam.org/
Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month
Each year, the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) declares May to be "National Asthma
and Allergy Awareness Month." It's a peak season for asthma and allergy sufferers, and a perfect time to educate
your patients, family, friends, co-workers and others about these diseases.
Asthma affects approximately 25.9 million Americans and more than 50 million Americans suffer from all types of
allergies. Please join us in raising awareness for these common diseases.
Resource:
http://www.aafa.org
National Mental Health Month
During the month of May, NAMI and participants across the country are bringing awareness to mental health. Each
year we fight stigma, provide support, educate the public and advocate for equal care. Each year, the movement
grows stronger. We believe that these issues are important to address all year round, but highlighting these issues
during May provides a time for people to come together and display the passion and strength of those working to
improve the lives of all Americans whose lives are affected by mental health conditions. 1 in 5 Americans will be
affected by a mental health condition in their lifetime and every American is effected or impacted through their
friends and family and can do something to help others. Mental Health Awareness Day will be at the Valdosta courthouse on 5 May at 1100. Please wear green if you are planning to attend. See support group page for meetings!
Resource:
Www.nami.org
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MAFB School Liaison & Exceptional Family Member Program Calendar: May 2016
“Give Parents a Break”: 21 May 16;
Call CDC/YP; Reservations are required
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
2
0900 Monthly EFMP Coffee
Connection
3
4 Love and Logic (1200)
5
Weekly Playgroup
6Family Connection
Youth Center
Call 257-3335 (EFMP)
Transition GPS; 2-6 May 2016; Call 257-3333 to sign up
6 May: Moody Warrior Relay for Life
Lowndes High School 6PM
2-6 May is National Teacher Appreciation Week. Take time to thanks your child’s teachers.
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10
0730 Wing Right Start/Club
Berrien BoE Mtg/1900
Lanier BoE Mtg/1900
Lowndes BoE Mtg/1800
Valdosta City BoE Mtg/1900
16
17
11
12
0900 Smooth Move @ A&FRC 0900 Heart Link Seminar
1200: Love and Logic
13 14 May: EFMP Spouse
Paint Party 5PM Studio
Imagination
6 May is “Military Spouse Appreciation Day” Take time
to hug your spouse for all that she/he does to support you!
18
1200: Love and Logic
19
20 Youth Center Kids Run/
Movie in the Park
Transition GPS, 16-20 May 2016; Call 257-3333 to sign up
23
24
0730 Wing Right Start/Club
25
1200: Love and Logic
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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
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Scintilla Charter Academy
BoD Meeting/1800
ACC Family Day
Most Base Services are
Closed Today
Family Advocacy:
FASES (4); Crossroads to Parenting & Divorce (6)
Great Expectations (18); Love & Logic (2, 4, 9, 11);
Fearless Marriage (2, 9, 16, 23)
To Sign Up, please call 229-257-4805
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
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Military
Support/Advocacy Groups/Respite
OneSource
Specialty
Consultations
Military OneSource provides 60-minute consultations, up to 12 times a year, with a Special Needs Specialty Consultant. The
Miracle League of Valdosta
Baseball Program for children & adults with any disability
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/
SOS Kids:
Support group for parents with children with all
types of special needs.
Please contact Tammy Greenway 319-0392 or email at
Jamcade@bellsouth.net for more information.
Special Ed Connect:
Georgia Advocacy Office
New program where you can learn from the comfort of
This office provides information and referral your home about Special Education and how to advocate:
for resources. You can call 1-800-537-2329.
Special Education Online Dictionary
They can provide free information and legal
Special Ed Topics/Search engine
To
register
please contact me so I can get you enrolled:
advice when appropriate
windy.scott.2@us.af.mil
or 257-3335
For more information go to www.thegao.org
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 car e pr ogr am. Call 229-293-6146.
Support Group meets 3r d Wed of ever y month.
Alzheimer Caregiver Time Out (ACTO): 245-9094
Looking for a Play Group
Check out
Parenting in Valdosta Playgroup on
Facebook
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.
Depression and Bipolar Online Support Groups for Adults
Go to http://www.dbsalliance.org/ click on Peer Support
National Alliance Mental Illness (NAMI)
Support Group
4th Monday of each month
First Christian Church 1905 North Patterson Street
Contact: Jane Osborn: osbo1933@bellsouth.net. You can also
find information about NAMI on 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: ladams@valdosta.edu or 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
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.
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