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School Bells MilLife Connection

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ilitary children of all ages ex- perience difficulty transitioning to a new school. Remind them

they’re military kids — they’ve got this! And take note of the advice below from military parents, educators, and administrators. Elementary school. Ask your school’s guidance counselor or school liaison about what services, activities, or infor- mation are available to military children. Host a bus-stop breakfast on the first

day of school so kids and parents can build connections early. Middle school. At this age, new kids just

want to fit in. Take a trip to the local mall, and take note of preteen fashion. Encourage your children to reach out

and introduce themselves to make friends faster. Remind your child to befriend the

new kid. After all, military children know how the new kid feels! High school. Confirm necessary docu- ments and registration procedures with the school. Many schools require an ap- pointment. Being proactive can prevent unnecessary chaos. Visit the school campus in person.

Make sure your teen is familiar with the two L’s: lockers and lunchrooms. Encourage your child to research extra- curricular activities and meet other stu- dents prior to the start of school. College. Even though your child might

have moved numerous times, homesick- ness can be a reality in your young adult’s first move without family. Encourage your children to draw on the strength and resil- ience they’ve learned from other moves.

Additional School Resources

Explore the Military Child Education Coali- tion website. Go to www.militarychild.org/ parents-and-students and click on Programs and Student 2 Student to learn more about student-centered and student-led pro- grams at the elemen- tary, middle, and high school levels. A school’s website

can be a great starting

point for information — and some schools offer virtual tours you can take with your child. If your child is

starting college, con- sult TRICARE. (Go to www.tricare.mil/ lifeevents.aspx and click on Children go to College.) You also might want to review GI bill benefits. The MOAA benefits team also can help you nav- igate these programs.

IMAGES: ABOVE, DAVID BUSBY; RIGHT, SHUTTERSTOCK; FACING PAGE, SHUTTERSTOCK

AUGUST 2015 MILITARY OFFICER 21