NORTHERN BURLINGTON COUNTY REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT PROUDLY SERVING

NORTHERN BURLINGTON COUNTY REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

PROUDLY SERVING THE ACTIVE MILITARY FAMILIES JOINT BASE MCGUIRE/DIX/LAKEHURST These children serve even though they didn’t ‘signup. ’

TWO ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS SURROUNDING STUDENTS OF ACTIVE MILITARY FAMILIES • How can knowing how many US military children there are in the world and where they live better inform policy writers researching the school experiences of military children? • What are the more significant issues in education that impact the military children residing on Joint Base Mc. Guire/Dix/Lakehurst?

How Many Districts? Approximately 1, 200 8003 districts Department of Defense Schools in the US. • • • GA/AL District KY District NC-Camp Lejunne & Fort Bragg District NY/VA/PR District SC/Ft. Steward/Cuba District http: //goo. gl/9 y. Zgx. S

Approximately how many military students are there?

Approximately how many military students are there?

Approximately how many military students are there in the Do. DEA Americas Schools?

Approximately how many military students are there in the US? On-Base: Off-Base: Over Seas: 112, 695* 275, 885 87, 763 *Does not include Do. DEA Schools (76, 534) *Does not include extended deployments where children ‘leave’ installation and ‘go back home. ’

NORTHERN BURLINGTON COUNTY REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT ØApproximately 25% of NB’s student Population or 500 students grades 7 – 12. ØIn New Jersey, there approximately 2, 300 military students.

MILITARY CHILDREN ENROLLED IN NEW JERSEY SCHOOLS • • Cape May City Board of Education Lakehurst Borough Board of Education North Hanover Township Board of Education Northern Burlington County Regional School Dist. Pemberton Township School District Renaissance Regional Leadership Charter School Rockaway Township Board of Education Tinton Falls Board of Education Total Student Population in New Jersey – Approximately 1, 800 “On-Base” – Approximately 500 “Off-Base”

Our Children of Active Military Face Many Curriculum/Program Challenges. For Example: 1. NJ’s History US I and US II vs “Hawaii History” 2. NJ’s World History vs Word Geography. Note: MIC 3 makes accommodations but many students don’t like to “feel different. ” 3. Varied Curriculum and lack of articulation of skills which challenges/compromises academic

Our Children of Active Military Face Many Emotional Challenges. • 1. Parent deployment/separation which often leads to anxiety, tension, and emotional distress. • 2. Transient Lifestyle which separates students from peers and close friends. • 3. Learn Mid-year of the move in June. “Last prom or last B-Ball game with friends. ”

Deployment Challenges: • Military deployments are often unpredictable, with short notice of 30 days or less (1 week). • Duration of deployment may vary (3 -6 months or 1 year). • During deployment, the oldest sibling often takes on some added household and parenting responsibilities. • A military student may move 7 -9 times during his/her school career with schools typically changing every 2 -3 years.

Military Students are Assets to Our Schools: • Without military children, NB schools would be very parochial. They provide a much richer school environment. • With a history of being stationed in a variety of foreign countries, many of our military students speak several languages. Thus, adding to our multicultural, well-rounded and diverse student population! • Many of our military students have learned to readily adapt to a changing environment, thus making new friends easily. • Our military students are supported on base by various youth programs. • At the end of the day, these children are just that, children.

“Things That Military Kids Want You to Know” • Separation/Worry: We worry and are concerned for the welfare of our parents. • Communication: It is important for us to be able to communicate with loved ones that may be deployed or away. • Pride/Tradition: We are proud to be a military child. We are proud of our parents by being respectful. • Recognition: It is important for others to recognize some of the sacrifices that our Military families make on our country’s

RECOGNITION April is the ” “Month of the Military Child To show children of military families that their personal sacrifices are recognized with respect and gratitude.

“Month of the Military Child” http: //goo. gl/1 w 4 g 15

For more information. . . Dr. James Sarruda jsarruda@nburlington. com Follow on Twitter: @nbcsuper