NRSW Academic Anchor

1. academic
A anchor
Navy Region Southwest
School Liaison Newsletter
November
Connecting Navy Families, Commands and K-12 Schools
December
2012
In this issue
Current Events. . . . . . . . . . 1
Transition Support. . . . . . . 3
Post-Secondary
Preparation. . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Deployment Support . . . . . 5
Command, School, and
Community Connections. . 6
Partnerships
in 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.

2. Current Events
Partnership Kick-Off Ceremony
with the Monarch School
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
On October 11 Commander Navy Region Southwest, Admiral Smith, hosted Liaison Program through the
an official kick-off ceremony for the newly formed Partnership in Education Sponsorship program. Hitachi
with the Monarch School. Data Systems is the leader in
virtualization technology and is
Onboard the USS Midway, Admiral Smith, the CEO of Monarch School, one of the leading electronics
Erin Spiewak, and over 20 Navy Region Southwest Sailors welcomed the companies worldwide.
students and shared with them the goal of the partnership.
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.
Throughout the school year Sailors will be visiting the school on a regular basis
For more information about the
to offer physical education classes and lunchtime mentoring. The ceremony
program, please see
closed with the Admiral and CEO signing the official agreement followed
http://navylifesw.com/
by a guided tour of the USS Midway. The Navy Region Southwest team is
sponsorship/
extremely excited about this new partnership and is looking forward to the
upcoming events scheduled throughout the 2012/13 school year.
1 Academic Anchor • November-December 2012 Navy Region Southwest School Liaison Newsletter

3. 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.
CNRSW 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.
San Diego Unified School District-Area 2, Henry Cluster Schools, Scripps Ranch Schools and
Serra Cluster Schools In Partnership with Navy and Marine Corps School Liaison Programs Presents
Military Family
Appreciation and Resource Night
Wednesday, November 7, 2012 All Military Families Welcome!
5-7 pm Featuring Academic and
Miller Elementary School Resillency-Building Activities
4343 Shields Street For questions, please contact Kimbery Shapazian at
Tierrasanta, San Diego, CA 92124 619-725-8168 or email at kshapazian@sandi.net
SAVE THE DATE • FREE FOOD • FUN FOR ALL AGES
Navy Region Southwest School Liaison Newsletter November-December 2012 • Academic Anchor 2

4. Transition Support
Understanding
Test Scores
When Choosing
a New School
Much like the military, education is full of acronyms, and Based upon previous performance, schools are given yearly
student testing is no exception. When military parents benchmarks for each category. Schools that fail to meet
begin looking for schools in a new area, many refer to test benchmarks over a given time can be placed into Program
scores to gauge student performance. So what do all those Improvement (PI). Schools in PI may be required to
testing acronyms really mean for your child? California provide afterschool tutoring for certain students, along with
Standardized Testing (CST) results for 2012 were released the opportunity to enroll at another school in the same
in September, and these test scores are the basis for API district that is not in PI. For more information on AYP, API
(Academic Performance Index) and are a large factor in AYP and PI go to http://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/ac/ar
(Adequate Yearly Progress) for schools and school districts.
Schools come in all sizes and shapes, and while test scores
California’s accountability program uses the API (Academic do offer insight into a schools performance, they do not
Performance Index) to measure school performance. API tell the whole story. All states choose their own standards
ranks schools based upon how students score on California for proficiency so it can be difficult for military families to
standards tests in English, science, math and social studies. make comparisons between schools in different states, based
The API scale ranges from 200 to 1,000 with a score of 800 solely on test scores.
considered to be proficient.
Parents should give consideration to the richness of a
AYP (Adequate Yearly Progress) is a federal measurement school’s curriculum, school culture, programs offered to fit
established by the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) that your child needs, amount of parent involvement and the
measures schools in up to four categories, depending on availability of affordable housing within school boundaries.
the grade level of the school: graduation rates, participation Arranging to visit a short-list of schools with your child,
on statewide tests, proficiency in language arts and math, prior to enrolment, will give you and your child more
and performance in the State’s accountability program. confidence in your selection.
3 Academic Anchor • November-December 2012 Navy Region Southwest School Liaison Newsletter

5. Transitioning to a new school
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.
Great resources for
transitioning military children: Encourage your child to join a club or activity when starting the new school.
Military Child Education Coalition This will allow them to meet other children and assimilate into the new school
www.Militarychild.org 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
Military Impacted Schools Association
adjusting to the new environment overall.
www.militaryimpactedschoolsassociation.org
Military Student Communication is key in supporting a child in a new school. Provide the
www.Militaryk12partners.dodea.edu/ new school with your phone contact and email information. Attend as many
Military Teens on the Move functions that support your children as possible in the new transition. This
www.apps.mhf.dod.mil/myom will allow the child to feel supported as well as allowing the parents to observe
how they are fitting in.
Post-Secondary Preparation
College Entrance Exams
SAT PSAT PLAN
The SAT is a globally accepted test taken during The PSAT test is a preparation tool for the SAT. The PLAN is taken during your sophomore year of
your junior and/or senior year of high school. The test can be taken your sophomore year of high school. Research shows that students who
The SAT has 3 components: Critical Reasoning, high school, however, if you take it during your take the PSAT perform better on the ACT. It is also
Mathematics, and a required Writing Test. junior year, you can compete for the National an indicator of strengths and weaknesses.
Merit Scholarship. Taking the PSAT can help you
Colleges take into account your SAT score, along to know your strengths and weaknesses, and Free SAT and ACT Test Preparation
with high school grades, extracurricular activities prepare you for the SAT. Military children have the opportunity to order
and recommendations when making acceptance free test preparation materials that has a value
decisions. Many students choose to take the SAT of $200. The only charge is $13.84 - $19.99 for
for the first time during their spring semester of
their junior year and for the second time during ACT shipping and handling.
the fall semester of their senior year. The ACT is another widely accepted test that Please visit
colleges use when making college acceptance www.eKnowlege.com/MilitaryHomefront
Visit http://sat.collegeboard.org/register
decisions. The ACT is an achievement test that or call
to register for the SAT.
measures what a student has learned in school. 951-256-4076
You can also visit It has up to 5 components: English Mathematics, for more information.
http://sat.collegeboard.org/practice Reading, Science and an optional Writing Test.
for their free online SAT practice as well as their You can register for the ACT test by going to www.
SAT question of the day! actstudent.org.
2012/2013 SAT Test Dates 2012/2013 ACT Test Dates
November 3 December 1 November 3 December 1
January 26 March 9 January 26 March 9
May 4 June 1 May 4 June 1
Navy Region Southwest School Liaison Newsletter November-December 2012 • Academic Anchor 4

6. Deployment Support
FFSC hosts a monthly
“IA Family Connection”
that provides families of Individual
Augmentee (IA) Deployers an opportunity
Deployment
o share challenges, joys and success Helping Children Understand
strategies. Spouses, parents and children are
able to relax, enjoy craft and fun activities, learn about key resources Books to Help During the Separation
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 Mommy You’re My Hero Night Catch
attendees per workshop. and Daddy You’re My Hero By Brenda Ehrmantraut
By Michelle Ferguson-Cohen (ages 3-8)
(ages 4-8) When a soldier’s work takes him
Military Kids Club These two books address deploy- halfway around the world, he
FFSC Counseling Services and Child and ment from a child’s perspective enlists the help of the North Star
Youth Programs have teamed up to present and talk about this separation for a nightly game of catch with
in a simplemanner to reassure his son. Night Catch is a timeless
“Military Kids Club” for children in military story that connects families while
and comfort small children. The
families. The club provides an opportunity books also suggest tips to main- they are apart and offers comfort-
for children in military families to connect tain communication and deal with ing hope for their reunion.
with each other and offer support with issues such as deployment, feelings of helplessness.
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 Love, Lizzie: Letters to a When Dad’s at Sea
family customers attending, the workshops are open to the general Military Mom By Mindy Pelton
By Lisa Tucker McElroy (ages 4-8)
populace of the libraries and community centers. This allows FFSC to
(ages 4-12) Emily’s father, a Navy pilot, is
contribute to the Life Skills, Financial Decision Making, and Career Nine-year-old Lizzie writes to leaving for a six-month deploy-
Development of people within our communities, and also germinates her mother, who is deployed ment on an aircraft carrier. Each
seeds of greater cooperation between FFSC and community services. overseas during wartime, and day he is gone, she removes
includes maps that show her one link from the paper chain
For example: On 5 September 2012, FFSC staff who had facilitated mother what she has been think- he made for her, so that she can
a “Kids and Nutrition Class” at North Park Branch Library received ing and doing. The book includes mark the days until his return.
an email to connect with the Principal of an area charter school with nonfiction tips for helping chil- When she makes a friend whose
dren of military families. dad has also shipped out, she re-
a large military population for facilitating the same workshop at the alizes that she is not the only one
school for school parents and faculty. who feels like she does.
5 Academic Anchor • November-December 2012 Navy Region Southwest School Liaison Newsletter

7. Architecture
Command, School & Community Connections
Construction
Red, White and Blue, We Serve Too! A Child’s
Engineering
Good-bye Deployment Book
By Sarah Wones Tomp By Kathleen Edlick
NBVC
(ages 3-8) (ages 3-8)
A Navy father shares special This book helps children examine
rituals for his little girl to do their feelings during deployment
during his deployment to help her and reminds them of the sacrifice
Internship
cope with the separation. being made on behalf of us all.
fair
Naval Base Ventura County
(NBVC) hosted an internship
fair on Sept. 19 providing
an opportunity for 17
high school seniors from
Naval Base Architecture, Construction,
My Red Balloon Deployment Journal for
Ventura County and Engineering (ACE)
By Eve Bunting Kids
(ages 3-12) By Rachel Robertson is the county’s Charter High School to
A boy takes his red balloon to (ages 5-adult) largest employer. interview for 6 unpaid
greet his Navy dad, who has Helps children better understand internship spots.
been away at sea for months. deployments, express and commu-
This story shows the joy felt nicate their feelings, and tell their Representatives from NBVC Environmental, Naval
when loved ones come home own story. Journal contains calen-
after serving our country. dar pages, journal writing prompts, Construction Training Center (NCTC), Naval
and interesting facts about com- Facilities Engineering and Expeditionary Warfare
mon deployment locations, military Center, Naval Surface War Center, Port Hueneme
definitions, helpful ideas, and a
pocket to keep mementos. 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 Kissing Hand Brisky Bear and Trooper the Education Outreach team feels strongly that it is
By Audrey Penn Dog: Be Kind, Be Friendly, the responsibility of NBVC and its tenant commands
(ages 4-12) Be Thankful with CD
Although Kissing hands specifi- By Steve Bolt & Phil Callaway
to reach out to the local students as they will be the
cally focuses on the feelings par- (ages 4-8) future workforce.
ent and child have when leaving Although the book is about a
for the first day of school, it can separation between a bear and The internship fair in September will be followed by
be easily adapted to help children his friend, a dog, it can be easily another in January. The second internship fair will
stay connected with deployed adapted to help children stay
parents throughout the separa- offer students from the local Regional Occupation
tion to make the transition easier Program (ROP) the opportunity to take part in
for both of them. interviews as well with more intern spots available.
Navy Region Southwest School Liaison Newsletter November-December 2012 • Academic Anchor 6

8. Partnerships In Education
Coronado’s Village Elementary School and Silver Strand Elementary School launch two new
“Partnerships-In-Education”
By: Kelly Donahue, NBC SLO
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.
7 Academic Anchor • November-December 2012 Navy Region Southwest School Liaison Newsletter

9. PIE Volunteer
Highlight on
CS2 Derrick Hollins
Patriot’s Day At 29 years old, father of 3, CS2 Derrick
Ceremony at Hollins, has made a tremendous impact
through his volunteer work with local schools.
Farb By day, CS2 Hollins is the Port Hueneme
Barracks Complex Manager and Naval Base
Middle Ventura County (NBVC) Junior Sailor of the
Quarter. However, after hours and anywhere
in between, he is fitting in time to give back to
School the local community.
While volunteering with the EO
CS2 Derrick Hollins Green Jr High/NBVC Mentorship
On Tuesday, September 11, Farb Middle School held a
is a great example in Action lunch time program
Patriot’s Day Ceremony to honor and remember those who
of how military last year, he was approached by
lost their lives on that day. The ceremony also served to honor
members can make the Asst. Principal who’d heard
our military, fire fighters and police who serve our county on
a difference in the he had done some coaching.
a daily basis.
local schools and the Soon after, CS2 Hollins was
local community. the new 6th grade boys’
Principal Susan Levy led
basketball coach. In addition to
the service with opening
volunteering hours at EO Green
remarks and was followed
Jr High, CS2 is also a volunteer coach for the
by the Naval Medical
Oxnard Panthers PeeWee football team, the
Center San Diego
Boys’ & Girls’ Club flag football team, and a
(NMCSD) Color Guard.
volunteer coach for the NBVC Child & Youth
Pre-op nurse, LT Eric
Programs basketball, flag football, and soccer
Banker from NMCSD
programs. Just when you might think he
sang the National Anthem
doesn’t have any other hours in the day, he
and later delivered the
also volunteers feeding the homeless at the
address to students, staff
Ventura County Rescue Mission.
and parents.
During the work day, he also represents NBVC
It was a simple and memorable celebration to remember those on the Multi-cultural Day Committee, is on
who were sacrificed, as well as to honor those who serve our the Command Assessment Team, Command
country every day. 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.
Navy Region Southwest School Liaison Newsletter November-December 2012 • Academic Anchor 8

10. Home School Linkage
Maybe an
Internship
would be right for my student?
Homeschool is a wonderful educa- through with an internship. This is a
tional experience for families and critical conversation that can lead to
children. The freedom to custom- the development of many enriching
ize and tailor the educational career lessons. Preparing your child for an
for one’s child is both rewarding internship can happen over a span
and challenging. After a certain age of time or can happen right away,
though, it might be time to con- depending on the readiness of the
sider sending your child out into the student.
world and into the wonderful, magi-
cal land of an Internship. When you and your child are ready
to begin searching for an internship,
Internships are becoming more and develop a plan for what companies
more popular at the high school you will target, define what type of
level. These experiences are a great internship you are looking for, and
opportunity for your teenage student be sure to have that cover letter and
to get a taste of the real world. resume ready. High school level
Teenagers love to think of themselves home school families often have a
as, “little adults”, with an internship connection to their local community
they will have the opportunity to college; take the time to connect
learn what it is to be an actual adult with the career counselor on campus
and to learn what really happens in a and discuss what internships might
work environment. be available in your community.
Another resource is through
A few things to take into consideration before Develop a USAjobs.gov. The government has streamlined
you seek out internship opportunities are: their access to student internship opportunities.
• What is my child interested in?
plan for what Do a search for, “Pathways” and you will get a list
companies of all the student internships available throughout
• Can my child write a resume and cover letter?
the United States. These internships aren’t just for
• Does my child have the maturity to commit you will target. college graduates; many are available for students at
to an internship? the high school level, best of all, as a home school
student your child isn’t locked into a public school
With this information in hand, you can begin schedule.
the investigative work involved in preparing for
and seeking out an internship. Focusing on your Another thing to take into consideration is that an
child’s interests will help to develop an interest and internship can be very simple or it can be complex.
excitement for completing an internship. If your Perhaps there is a small business in your community
student hasn’t had experience writing a cover letter or that would be willing to let your student observe
resume, create lesson plans designed to increase these what’s involved with managing a small business,
skills. Teaching your child to focus on their skills maybe your child could plan some job shadow days
and abilities will help them to make the connection with a parent or a family friend, or maybe they will
between the experiences they have and how those land that dream internship with NASA that could
experiences can benefit an employer. Deciding if potentially lead into a lifelong career. With any
your child is ready to commit to an internship is also type of internship, what your child gains from the
very important. A child needs to be developmentally experience will certainly be something that will stay
ready and have the level of maturity to follow with them for the rest of their lives.
9 Academic Anchor • November-December 2012 Navy Region Southwest School Liaison Newsletter

11. EFMP Resources
Join us for
Monthly Meet-Ups
every Third Wednesday of the Month
9-10:30 am
Gateway Village Community Center
2741 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 2012-13 Calendar
Marine Corps Recruit Depot, November 7 March 20
San Diego Relaxation Techniques Cooking Class
Elizabeth Wright
619-524-8086 December 12 April 17
www.mccsmcrd.com/efmp.html Potluck (evening) Balboa Park
facebook.com/mccsmcrdsd.efmp
January 16 May 15
Navy Region Southwest Jump into the New Year! Date Night (evening)
Barbara Regan
619-556-7218
February 20 June 19
Resources Spouse Appreciation
www.cnic.navy.mil/navylifesw
faecbook.com/navyefmp.sandiego
EXCEPTIONAL FAMILY CONNECTION
Our monthly meeting will focus
on the following themes:
Serving
January 4 Quality of Life exceptional families
February 1 Health and Wellness exceptional service
March 7 Military Saves Come meet with other families
April 4 Military Child Appreciation and build your resource network.
May 2 Spouse Appreciation
Hosted by Fleet and Family Support Center
June 6 Summer Fun San Diego Regional Center • 6 pm
July 11 Home Organization 4355 Ruffin Road, Suite 200
San Diego, CA 92123
August 1 EFMP Game Night
September 5 Back to School Night For additional Building our bridges and connecting each
and child care piece. Together we focus on empowerment for
October 3 Fall Festival options call improving the quality of lives for our special needs
November 7 Giving Thanks 619-571-4781 families. Emphasizing support, resources and a
or the front desk
social forum to connect and share information.
December 11 Happy Holidays at 858-277-4259.
See left for dates and locations.
Navy Region Southwest School Liaison Newsletter November-December 2012 • Academic Anchor 10

12. A
Your Navy
School Liasion
Contacts
Shannon Milder
Academic Navy Region Southwest
Anchor Regional School Liaison Officer
November- shannon.milder@navy.mil
December 2012 www.facebook.com/sandiegoschoolliaison 619-532-4251
Paula Emmert Michelle Lange Kelly Donahue
Navy Region Southwest Murphy Canyon/Downtown Coronado/South Bay/
Deputy School Liaison Officer michelle.lange2@navy.mil Imperial Beach
paula.emmert@navy.mil 619-991-2509 kelly.donahue@navy.mil
858-349-7678 619-247-9109
Chanin Massaglia Tina Paulson Monica James
East County/Santee/ Coastal Schools/Point Loma Naval Base Ventura County
Lemon Grove/El Centro tina.paulson@navy.mil monica.james@navy.mil
chanin.massaglia@navy.mil 858-431-6482 805-989-5211
619-247-9082
Margaret Gladders Melissa Burns Tina Wekell
NAS Lemoore NAS Fallon NSA/Monterey
margaret.gladders@navy.mil melissa.l.burns@navy.mil ecwekell@nps.edu
559-998-2242 775-426-3738 831-656-1008