 |
|
Dear Families,
It's hard to believe that fall is approaching when there is no evidence of changing leaves or cooler temperatures. As August brings another month of heat, it also means back-to-school season is here. Military families have come and gone with PCS season, families have returned from their summer vacations, and now children and adults alike strap on their backpacks to face new friends, and for some, a new school.
The school year brings new possibilities: fresh school supplies, a different teacher, and a new homework regimen that all requires as much adjustment for the parents as the children. As you and your family find a new rhythm, Marine Corps Family Team Building is here to support you in the transition.
For those of you tackling an extensive school supply list for your child, log on to MCFTB's homepage to register for Backpack Brigade. This fun back-to-school event on August 4t h from 6:00-8:00pm at the Youth Center will feature an ice cream social for all and free backpacks and school supplies for kids E1-E6 that register online (www.mccsyuma.org).
If you need new ideas for your families' lunchboxes, sign up for Healthy Bag Lunches on August 19th 11:00am-1:00pm. While you learn heathy ideas, you'll have a chance to prepare and eat many of these tasty recipes. The school liaison will also be present to offer back to school tips for parents.
In your preparations for the new school year, Marine Corps Family Team Building wants to thank MCAS Yuma families for their continued support and also welcome new families to the installation. As always, we are here to help you bloom when planted in a new place, whether it is a school or a sunny Marine Corps base!
Your MCFTB Team, Kate, Bekah, Brooke, Sarah, & Jenny
P.S.- Mark your calendars! Operation Ball Gown is September 30, 2010 from 6:00-9:00pm. We need your help! If you are interested in modeling or volunteering, please call us today. Have a gently used ball gown you won't wear again? Please donate it- bring it by our office, building 598 (next to Commissary), any time! |
Calendar of Events
All classes are free, include free childcare and refreshments, and are located in Building 598 (next to Commissary) unless otherwise noted. REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED! Please call us at 269-6550.
August
Backpack Brigade/Back to School Bash: This fun back to school event will feature an ice cream social for all and free backpacks and school supplies for kids E1-E6 that registered online. Go to Marine Corps Family Team Building's website at www.mccsyuma.org for registration details. August 4th, 6:00-8:00pm at Youth Center
Friday Fit Club: This weekly fitness class continues each Friday until August 20th. Its not too late to join!
Couples Communication: Prepare for deployments and separation. Walk away with practical ways to improve your communication and enhance your marriage even when apart. August 10, 6:00pm-8:00pm Healthy Bag Lunches: Learn easy and healthy ideas for bag lunches. Our school liaison will attend to offer other smart back to school tips for parents. August 19, 11:00am-1:00pm
Family Care Plan: Base legal will walk you through how to complete a family care plan- a plan for your children in case of an emergency. Every Marine family should have one! August 20, 8:00am-10:00am
In the Midst for Kids: A fun workshop for children aged 6-14 to take a break from the stresses of military life. Kids will learn ways to positively cope with stress, communicate their feelings, and how to stay healthy through eating and exercise. August 21, 10:00am-12:00pm Spa Night: Stress and Coping: Recharge and relax. This fun night will equip you with ways to thrive despite the stress life throws at you. August 24th, 6:00-8:00pm Career Building Workshop: This informative workshop will cover resume writing, interviewing tips and techniques, and explore career opportunities. August 26, 9:00am-12:00pm Family Jumpstart Series Activate your Family: The more resilient a parent is to stress, the better they are able to cope with the challenges of raising children in a military family. This workshop focuses on identifying stressors in your family's life and healthy tools manage this stress. August 31, 12:00pm-2:00pm Energize your Marriage: Improve your communication and become a better listener. Learn to set priorities and goals for your family and how to stay on target. Together, these essentials will strengthen your marriage and provide tools for raising children in a military family. August 31, 6:00pm-8:00pm
September
Basic Spanish and Local Yuma Culture: This three part series taught by Arizona Western College will be a fun introduction to Spanish and the local culture. Will include a field trip to a local restaurant and more! September 14, 21, and 28th, 9:00am-11:30am.
Healthy Habits for Families: GO GREEN! A workshop for parents and kids on fun and practical ways to be kind to our environment. September 15, 3:30-5:00pm
Spouse Welcome Aboard: New to Yuma or need a refresher on available resources? Empower yourself with knowledge and join us! September 15, 6:00-8:00pm
Who Moved My Cheese? A class on conquering change based on the bestselling book. September 16, 6:00-8:30pm
"Corps" Values for 3-6 year olds. Learn the Corps values of Honor, Commitment and Courage through games, crafts, and books. September 20, 27, and October 4th, 1:00pm-2:00pm.
Operation Ball Gown: September 30th, 6:00pm-9:00pm. Fashion Show, Beauty Expo, and Ball Gown Giveaway!! Dresses, Models, and Volunteers needed. Call us today!
L.I.N.K.S.
L.I.N.K.S. for Marines: August 25th & September 15th, 9:00am-4:00pm
L.I.N.K.S. for Spouses: September 18th, 9:00am-5:00pm
L.I.N.K.S. for Couples: August 18 & 19, 5:00pm-9:00pm
L.I.N.K.S. for Kids: September 2, 2:45-4:00pm L.I.N.K.S. for Teens: September 14, 5:30-7:00pm
|
|
Family Jumpstart Series: The FOCUS Project Comes to MCAS Yuma
You may have heard of the FOCUS Project if you have been stationed at another Marine Corps base recently. The FOCUS Project teaches practical skills to families and couples so they can meet the challenges of deployment and reintegration, to communicate and solve problems effectively, and to successfully set goals together and create a shared family story. MCFTB is excited to announce this outstanding program is coming to MCAS Yuma on August 31st. Join us for one or both of these opportunities to jump start your family and marriage!
Activate your Family: August 31, 12:00pm-2:00pm The more resilient a parent is to stress, the better they are able to cope with the challenges of raising children in a military family. This workshop focuses on identifying stressors in your family's life and healthy tools manage this stress.
Energize your Marriage: August 31, 6:00pm-8:00pm Improve your communication and become a better listener. Learn to set priorities and goals for your family and how to stay on target. Together, these essentials will strengthen your marriage and provide tools for raising children in a military family.
|
L.I.N.K.S. Goes Back to School... for Kids, Teens, and Teachers!
In an effort to better understand life in the Marine Corps., Yuma's teachers are going back to school. Marine Corps Family Team Building and the School Liaison will visit Woodard Middle School, Palmcroft Elementary, and Desert Mesa Elementary for a professional development session with educators. The L.I.N.K.S. curriculum will be used to share information on the history of the Marine Corps and MCAS Yuma. In addition, L.I.N.K.S. staff and volunteers will explain what Marine Corps families and children go through during the moving process, separations, and deployments. Common behaviors, reactions and challenges of infants, toddlers, school age children, and teens will be discussed. Teachers will be given strategies and resources to better serve our Marine Corps children. They will also have an opportunity to work through real life scenarios with the presenters.
L.I.N.K.S. for Kids and Teens! Our new season of L.I.N.K.S. for Kids and Teens is about to gear up. Meeting monthly in the fall and spring semesters, each club will teach Marine Corps kids and teens about the history of the Corps, money smarts, making friends, dealing with deployment, internet safety and so much more. Sessions will include food, fun activities, and friends. Call to register and mark your calendars for the first meetings!!!
L.I.N.K.S. For Kids: September 2: 2:45-4:00 at Community Center
L.I.N.K.S. For Teens: September 14: 5:30-7:00 at Community Center
|
 Spouse Employment & Educational Opportunities
With the kids away at school, now may be the perfect time to jump start your career or finally finish that degree. If you are looking to find the perfect career, earn more money, or just stay occupied here are a few resources that can help you get started!
-Marine Corps Family Team Building is presenting a Career Building Workshop on August 26, 2010. The workshop will cover resume writing, interviewing tips, and a career interest inventory. Childcare will be provided as needed. For registration, contact Sarah at 269-6547.
-The Lifelong Learning Center offers a wide range of educational opportunities including advising for college degrees and vocational certificates and administering CLEP and DANTES testing. Get information about tuition assistance, MyCAA, the GI Bill, and military friendly colleges and universities. For more information, call 269-3248.
-Family Member Employment Assistance Program (FMEAP) assists family members in their search for local employment. Assistance includes vacancy postings, job referrals, resume writing, and assessing current skills and interests. FMEAP is located in building 852. For more information, contact Terry Peace at 269-2680. |
|
New School, New Friends
Either excited, nervous, happy, or scared; kids aboard MCAS Yuma are getting ready to go back to school! For students, the beginning of the school year means: new friends, new teachers, and maybe even a new school! We know our military families are resilient but how exactly do kids overcome all the challenges of a new school year? Here are some simple tips for making friends when you go back to school.
- Smile!
- Introduce yourself and ask, "What's your name?".
- Ask someone if they want to play at recess.
- Ask someone new to sit with you at lunch.
- Ask questions about their interests like "What kind of video games do you play?"
- Get involved in sports, volunteering, or a club like L.I.N.K.S. for Kids or Teens.
Once the school year is underway look for workshops such as In The Midst For Kids to take a break from the stresses of school and military life. Kids will learn ways to positively cope with stress, feelings, and how to stay healthy through eating right and exercise. August 21st from 10:00-12:00 |
|
|
|
|
MCFTB classes and events are always free. CHILDCARE is also available FREE of charge.
Registration is required by calling 269-6550 or by emailing us here! |
|
Hours & Location
8am to 4:30pm Monday-Friday Bldg. 598
(Next To Commissary)
Visit MCFTB at www.mccsyuma.org |
|
STATUS SNAPSHOT
NEWS FEED
A "life skill" you have acquired that is unique to the military lifestyle? FLEXIBILITY!
My advice to a new spouse: Understand that you are both coming from different life experiences and learn from each other.
PROFILE
Jenny Moore
Newest MCFTB Team Member Married to a Marine: 1 year
In Yuma: 8 months
Best part of her day? Relaxing with my husband and puppies after work. |
|
Backpack Brigade: Not too late to register!
 There is still time to register! Join us next week on August 4th for a back to school bash from 6-8pm at the Youth Center. Ice cream for all and FREE backpacks and school supplies for E1-E6 kids. Registration for backpacks required. CLICK HERE TO REGISTER! |
|
Sports and School Physicals At Branch Medical Clinic
On August 5th and 12th from 1:30-3:30, our Branch Medical Clinic will have a 1st come, 1st served clinic for sports and school physicals. Bring shot records and required physical paperwork. Dependant must be enrolled at the clinic. Call 269-3185 for more details. |
|
Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) Childcare Now Available During Day 
If your spouse is deployed, you may qualify for OEF childcare at the CDC. Until September 30th, you can receive free care during the day and/or evenings each Tuesday and Wednesday. Call 269-2350 for more information or to secure your spot up to two weeks in advance. |
USO Comfort Center Now Open at Yuma Airport 
The USO has opened a comfort center, run by volunteers, for Marines and their families at the Yuma Airport. The lounge has couches, a TV, computers with internet, and a snack bar. Open 7 days a week 6:00am to 6:30pm or last departing flight. Check it out next time you fly! |
|
