There's a new place for parents and teachers of military-connected students to connect just in time for back to school. Created by two military spouses, Stacy Allsbrook-Huisman and Amanda Trimillos, EdD, the Facebook Group provides a meeting place for parents, teachers, counselors and School Liaison Officers to support each other and their students through school transition. Stacy Allsbrook-Huisman and Amanda Trimillos, EdD, are also advocates, educators and authors. They recently co-authored … [Read more...]
Milkid Motto
“If you are brave enough to say goodbye, life will hand you a new hello” #milkidmotto … [Read more...]
Military Kids’ Clubs Are Perfect For Schools
Have you ever wanted to start a Military Kids' Club at your child's school? It's easier than you think! Read this cute article about an elementary school that decided to start their own Military Kids' Club after school. I love their mission, too. Hail and Farewells are their top priority. Which means every new student is personally welcomed by the club and all out going members are made to feel special and connected. What are your thoughts? Can this work at a middle school or a … [Read more...]
If Your Kid Is Happy, Then You Are Happy – PCSing and Motherhood
It's that time of year again - PSC Season. Many of our friends are moving, many have the similar stories, many have same experiences. I've moved six times in 10 years but my friend has me beat by a least a dozen and then some...ok, she has me by 23 more moves. Curious about how she manages so many moves (prior active duty and now military spouse) I asked her to throw down a few thoughts on paper regarding her upcoming move - the unexpected happened - I cried. I cried … [Read more...]
Fast Facts about Military Connected Youth – Professional Development for Teachers and Staff
By Stacy Huisman Definition of a Military Connected Youth: A child, adolescent, or student with a close family member (parent, step parent, sibling, step-sibling, cousin) or friend serving in any branch of the United States Armed Forces and any status Active Duty, Reserve, or National Guard. Fact: There are 2,000,000 military-connected children in America; of those: • 1,381,584 of the military-connected children are 4-18 years old • Over 80% of these children – 1,105,267 students – attend … [Read more...]
18 Amazing Ways to Celebrate the Month of the Military Child – April 2016
(Elementary School Kids) by Stacy Huisman and Becky Harris Families On The Home Front In 1986 April was designated Month of the Military Child by Casper Weinberger to recognize and thank children from military families for the sacrifices they make living the military lifestyle. Purple Up is the campaign that propels activities throughout the Month of the Military Child to honor, acknowledge, and support Military Connected Youth in our schools and communities. A Military Connected Youth is a … [Read more...]
Parents Need to Know the Military-Connected Children’s Educational Bill of Rights
Military-connected children have educational rights. They may not be called educational rights in any law or policy, but the intent behind the Military Children’s Interstate Compact Commission (MIC3) is the same – a fair treatment of military-connected kids in public schools. See the full Compact here. Our military-connected children encounter a plethora of challenges and obstacles when transferring schools. The Compact provides for the uniform treatment of military children transferring … [Read more...]
9 Easy Ways to Welcome a New Military Family
Welcome Neighbor! The moving truck is gone; there are signs of life coming from the house down the street. It could be another military family or maybe it’s a civilian family. Regardless, as a military spouse, we know what it feels like to be the new family on the block. So, why not build some good karma and be the first to welcome them? Make a difference to a new family by giving them a little welcome to the “hood” gift. Here are nine simple, creative and inexpensive gifts and gestures … [Read more...]
9 Things You Need To Know When Changing Schools
Our school-aged children have sent in their teachers' gifts, signed the yearbooks and dumped the contents of their backpacks onto the living room floor. However, the end of school means more to military families than sleeping in, summer camps and pool parties. For many of us, the end of school usually means PCS season is in full swing, packers are coming, emotional goodbyes and another new school for our children. Changing schools can be a complicated and an emotionally draining task for many … [Read more...]
Educating the Dandelion: Creating Stability in Education During a PCS
Dandelions. Some people may see a weed, but see I an example of resiliency. Did you know that the dandelion is the unofficial official flower of the military child? It’s crazy to think the puffy flower you picked in the backyard as a child represents our military kids,but it does. I found a comparison of the two and it’s startling how similar they really are: According to an often-cited anonymous poem: “The plant puts down roots almost anywhere, and it's almost impossible to destroy. … [Read more...]