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Building a School Support System for your Child
Article courtesy of Military OneSource. Find more helpful information at www.MilitaryOneSource.mil
One of the easiest ways you can help your child(ren) is to be involved, especially with their school where they spend most of their time!
Even if you relocate often or are temporarily deployed, there are ways you can build a relationship with the school and your child's teachers and help your child perform as well as he or she can. Your relationship with the school will demonstrate to your child and the school staff the importance you attach to education. The following tips can help you build a strong relationship with your child's school.
Meet the staff. Make a special effort to meet your child's teacher. If your child is younger, consider accompanying him or her to school on the first day to say hello. If your child is starting at a new school, arrange a meeting with the teacher to discuss programs, texts and the curriculum. Click here for a template for a letter to help you tell your child's school and teacher about a deployment in your family. 
Be aware of school policies. Keep on top of events by reading the parent group newsletter, the school bulletin board, the school handbook and flyers that your child brings home. If you are away from home and the school has a website, log on regularly for updates and information. Be sure to understand the school's calendar and policies on what to do in bad weather, if your child is sick or forgets lunch.
Attend events. Try to attend back-to-school nights, open houses, school fairs and other programs to stay connected. They are excellent opportunities to chat with your child's teachers and meet other school staff members.
Volunteer at school. As your schedule permits, try to volunteer at your child's school. By participating, you can help improve the quality of school life. There are ways to help even if you cannot be at school during the day. You might help other parents organize a weekend fundraiser for new playground equipment or discuss solutions to a high school gang problem. You can offer to coach a sports team on weekends, chaperone the school dance or share your deployment experience as a guest speaker in your child's classroom once you return home. You can even help your child's classroom teacher by doing volunteer work at home, such as coordinating class parties or assembling student projects.
Join the parent-teacher group. Try to attend meetings of the school's parent-teacher organization. These groups provide information about educational planning; keep parents informed about testing and changes in district policies; and raise funds for the schools. If your child's school doesn't have a parent-teacher group, contact the national PTA or the national PTO network and other interested parents to find out how to start one.
Attend school board meetings. By attending important school board meetings, you can voice concerns - and praise - to the school board, the organization that oversees the school district.
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EVENT UPDATES
Check out the fun we are having this summer! Registration links are in the top right column.
STATE YOUTH SYMPOSIUM
LOCATION ANNOUNCED!
We are excited to announce that this years State Youth Symposium will be at Eagle Crest Resort in Redmond, Oregon! The fun won't stop there however, we have some big plans including a big trip off site! You don't want to miss it - this year's event will be September 26-28. This event is a weekend dedicated to military connected youths ages 13 - 18 and will involve a giant scavenger hunt, challenge games, group activities and more! This is a unique FREE opportunity for military connected teens. A Parent/Guardian must stay with participant in hotel and is responsible for participant during non-program time. Participants will be placed on individual travel orders, reimbursing mileage, covering lodging and all meals for youth participants. There is limited space available so register today!
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Teen2Teen:
Your ORMTP Connection
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 School Advice that Works!
By Brooke
When you think of back to school advice, you think of all the things that come along with school. Such as friends, homework, sports, tests, and drama. Some of these things are extremely important and some you try to stay away from. I would like to give you some tips or pointers on how to deal with these things or just some fun helpful tips hints.
Let's start with friends. When I'm looking for friends, sometimes they're alone or sometimes they befriend me, and friends usually come with a process such as how they can relate to you; military life, sports, activities you're involved in, or in home life. Then when you find your likes and differences you can judge how you get along with each other and if it's good you usually hang out with each other more, but some of them don't work out which leads into the drama aspect.
Drama. Something that has tears, pain and cruelty all wrapped up into one little word. Sometimes it's one of the hardest things to let go of in school. It can push you away from friends and can make you lose friends, but then you know they were never your real friends and you don't have to waste time talking to them or worrying about them talking behind your back. Then you can focus more on homework and your studies.
Homework is something most people dread because you have to sit down and think and learn even more than you just did at school. But it's extremely important to pay attention to and do because it will help your grades and keep you smart. Studies show that our attention span can last up to fifteen minutes. So when I do homework I do breaks in between so I can do my homework to the best of my ability. Homework is also another way of studying for tests.
Tests are a hard thing to do, usually your head goes blank even though you stayed up studying. Tests have shown when chewing mint gum while studying and then chewing it during your test helps significantly. It helps you remember the things you studied so you can pass that test. Flash cards help significantly, especially if you're a visual learner. I try to make them on my own and then review them with my mom. Sometimes it's harder to study for test or pay attention in class to be able to do the homework because of sports.
Sports are something fun entertaining and take energy. My sports are snowboarding and playing the flute, which both takes a lot of practice, time and energy. Now you may play football, softball or soccer, and all of those sports are fun and great but also time consuming and take energy which as I said you need for school. So make sure you make your sports at good times so you can still be able to manage school but also still have fun in your sports as long as you stay healthy in them.
Tutor.com is a resource I find extremely helpful! I use it when I get stuck in my math homework and need someone who understands what I'm doing because that is not my parents. Tutor.com is a free website for military families. This website connects you to a teacher who understands what you're doing. This website is great help for all grade school ages. They help me proof my essays for school and that works extremely well for me! I love tutor.com they have helped me with my grades and have made a big difference in my life when it comes to school work. I recommend this web site for you to use!
In conclusion school is great and you will always need advice. I've given you are some tips and helpful hints to stay away from drama, some good stuff about homework, test are worth studying for, and how Tutor.com is a great website I recommend for you.
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Family Activity Time:
Back to School Crafts and Organization
Different people prepare and stay organized different ways - We found so many helpful tips for preparing for school that we couldn't choose just one to share. Here are some of our favorites!
Weekly Homework Calendar Printables
(Courtesy of spoonful.com and Disney)
Just print out, write in your subjects and track your projects!
Minnie Mouse Theme
Cars Theme
It's a Stretch Notebook
(Courtesy of FamilyFun Magazine)Crisscross a dozen or so thin, braided-elastic headbands around the front cover of a three-ring binder, and your child can tuck writing utensils and reminder notes under them, as shown. Jar of Hearts (Courtesy of Curly Birds: The Art of Play)
These little hearts are a great idea to help kids experiencing separation anxiety. Cut out the desired shape, stuff with fiberfill and love, sew together and slip it into pockets, lunch bags, books, etc.
 DIY: Mini Pocket Notebook From a Cereal Box
(Courtesy of Creme de la Craft)
 Materials:
* Cereal box (1 cereal box makes 2 notebooks. You can also use cardboard, cardstock or gift boxes)
* Paper for the inside pages (recommended: 20 pieces of 8.5" x 11" computer paper, but you can also use lined or graph paper)
* A piece of decorative paper (to cover the spine)
* Scissors
* Ruler
* Pen
* Glue stick, tape runner or double-sided tape
* Needle and embroidery floss
* Button
Steps:
* Cut out the cereal box to create the cover for your notebook. I cut a 5.5" x 8" piece for mine, but you can make it as small or large as you wish.
* Fold it in half so that the blank side is facing out.
* Run embroidery floss through the needle and sew on the button to the front of the notebook. Leave about 20" of the thread hanging. This will be used to wrap around the notebook to close.
* To cover the images of the cereal box, apply glue or tape to the inside of the notebook (make sure you get the corners!) and place a piece of paper on top to attach. Cut around the edges to remove any excess paper.
* Grab your paper for the inside pages and trim them down so they are slightly smaller than the notebook (about 1/4" shorter on all sides).
* With the needle and embroidery floss, stitch the paper to the notebook down the spine.
* Apply glue or tape to your decorative paper and attach it to the spine of the notebook.
* Optional: For a more finished look, cut rounded corners on all four edges of the notebook.
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COUNTDOWN TO SCHOOL STARTS
38 DAYS
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It's Back to School Brigade Time!!!
Pick up school supplies for the next school year.
Registration is required! Register at www.operationhomefront.net
Four locations will be hosting distribution sites! Click the site below for more details. |
Upcoming Events!
Click the event name to view the flier and registration link.
September 26-28, 2014
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Oregon National Guard Child & Youth Program
Oregon Military
Teen Panel
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 Oregon National GuardChild & Youth Program3225 State Street Salem, OR 97309 503-584-2389 cyp@oregonbtyr.orgOregon Military Teen Panel ormtp@oregonbtyr.org Your Child & Youth Staff
 (L-R, Kristin, Sarah, Amy)
Amy ConroyLead, CYP Coordinator 503-584-2346 or 503-602-9021 Sarah JohnsonCYP Coordinator 503-584-2390 or 503-530-9094 Kristin MarquardtYouth Outreach Program Coord. 503-584-2394 or 503-569-6670 All staff are contractors
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Instant Feedback!
We are in the planning stages for next years events and had a quick question for you! Please respond so we can make our events better! Travel Distance Poll
Seriously, there is only one question - please respond! Have time to give us more feedback? As part of the contract under which the National Guard Child and Youth Program operates, we have been asked to survey Families who have utilized Child and Youth Program resources and services from the period of 1 June 2013 to present. The purpose of this survey is to gather valuable information related to current strengths of the program as well as areas where continued development could be targeted for improvement. Ultimately, our goal is to ensure the Oregon Child and Youth Program is adequately meeting the needs of our military-connected population. We invite you to take a few minutes (10-15) to complete the Family Member Satisfaction Survey online. You may do this by clicking on the following link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/2014CYSS-Family-Survey. Information gathered from this survey is completely anonymous and will only be used to improve services provided by the Child and Youth Program at the state/territory and national levels. If you are unable to complete the survey online, please click here for a PDF version of the survey. Please mail or email the PDF version of the survey to ATTN: Ms. Erin Berry Eastern Region Assistant Program Manager 434 Chase Road Columbus, OH 43214 or erin.berry@cog-ps.com
Deadline for completion and submission of Family Member Satisfaction Surveys is 11 August 2014. Should you have any questions regarding the information contained in this email, please feel free to contact your Lead Child and Youth Program Coordinator for further information.
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Resource Highlight:
Languages of Love Military Kids
Marriage is hard enough for the everyday civilian. But imagine marriage when you're separated by thousands of miles, and one of you faces the dangers of combat while the other shoulders all the burden of homefront duties. Add to that unpredictable schedules, frequent moves, and the challenge of reintegration, and it's no wonder military marriages are under stress. Husbands and wives in all five branches of the military need a special resource to help them navigate marriage in the midst of it all. These men and women who are giving so much for so many need a way to love one another - a way that powerfully communicates to the heart.
Online Bonus Resources:
- Study Guide
- Resources for Veterans and Spouses: Combat Trauma
- Love Languages for Military Children
- Discover Your Love Language
- Also every book comes with instructions for how to receive a free eBook copy for your partner. Read it together - even during deployment.
For more information on this book please click here 
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Resource Highlight:
FOCUS World
FOCUS World (www.focusworld.org) is an interactive, online educational tool that helps military families become stronger in the face of challenges by providing both parents and kids a fun place to learn and practice important skills, such as:
- Emotional Regulation - understanding and managing feelings
- Goal Setting - working together as a family to achieve something important to you
- Communication - listening and responding to each other's concerns, including those related to deployment and reintegration
FOCUS World is an online version of a successful program that has been provided in person to military families across the country and overseas. It offers a variety of educational activities that families can do together in addition to a private place for parents and kids to chat online.
- Parents can watch brief videos that show helpful ways parents can deal with common family challenges, such as: how to talk to their kids about their concerns when a parent is about to deploy, common challenges families face during reintegration, and how to help children cope during a parent's absence.
- Parents can also download handouts that provide helpful education and activities for military families.
- To find out more about the different skills parents and kids can learn in FOCUS World, hover your mouse over the room names on the right to see the room descriptions.
For more information about suggested activities to build a stronger family using FOCUS World, click the calendar which provides 30 days of suggested activities to assist you in building a stronger family.
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Military Discount: eKnowledge SAT & ACT Test Prep
eKnowledge believes every student should have access to higher education. This donation was created by the founders of eKnowledge to promote and prepare young adults for higher education. eKnowledge's mission is to create opportunities for the college bound by offering access to SAT and ACT test preparation for a small set up fee of $20 that covers online materials, shipping and access to online streaming. eKnowledge waives 100% of the retail costs for the standard version and 93% of the cost for all other programs. These programs retail for $200 to $600. eKnowledge sells these same materials in the open market for full retail price. Through eKnowledge and the National Guard, these products are available to you for only the cost of materials and shipping - less than $20.00.
Order Online Today: www.eKnowledge.com/USNationalGuard
The SAT and ACT PowerPrep™ Programs are available online or on a single DVD. Programs include more than 11 hours of video instruction and 3000 files of supplemental test prep material, thousands of interactive diagnostic tools, sample questions, and practice tests Students select the training they need and study at their own pace.
SAT/ACT Test Dates 2014-2015
September 13 (ACT)
October 11 (SAT)
October 25 (ACT
November 8 (SAT)
December 6 (SAT)
December 13 (ACT)
January 24 (SAT)
February 7 (ACT)
March 14 (SAT)
April 18 (ACT)
May 2 (SAT)
June 6 (SAT)
June 13 (SAT)
For more information on this program click here.
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