Back to school for Hanscom children

  • Published
  • By Mark Wyatt
  • 66th Air Base Group Public Affairs
HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. --  It's almost back-to-school time. The first day of school for students in first through 12th grade begins Sept. 4. Pre-school and kindergarten students begin school Sept. 5.

According to Lisa Pizarro, 66th Force Support Squadron school liaison officer, the average military family moves to a new assignment nine times over a parent's 20-year career. With each move, military children face a new school, friends and many other school-related challenges.

With many new faces sure to be seen in the classrooms this year, Pizarro wants to make sure families know she is here to help with the transition.

Created in 2008, the school liaison connects schools, families and the Hanscom community together in meeting the educational needs of children for all personnel assigned to Hanscom.

"My primary focus is to assist transitioning families as they arrive on base," said Pizarro. "I advocate for the educational needs of military children and assist Airmen and their families with information and referrals regarding local school districts and other education options, including home schooling and private schools."

One such responsibility is the "First Count" Federal Impact Aid Survey for federally connected students. This survey is for both military and Department of Defense civilian families with children in local school districts.

"Schools depend upon property taxes for funding, but state-funded schools with military families don't have that option," Pizarro said. "The survey helps determine, in part, how much funding the school receives. It's a small piece, but it's an important piece."

Bedford High School students will receive the Federal Impact Aid Survey during the first few weeks of September. Look for more information on it as school begins.

Students who will attend either Hanscom Primary School or Hanscom Middle School on base are part of the Lincoln Public School District. Parents of children attending either of these schools are encouraged to sign up on the website to receive school newsletters via email, as well as email alerts regarding important events. To do so, visit www.lincnet.org.

Daily announcements, weekly e-newsletters and other important communications are also available from BHS. To sign up, Yahoo! subscribers may visit http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bhsp/ and click "join this group." Non-Yahoo! Subscribers should send an email to bhsp-subscribe@yahoogroups.com and include a brief explanation of the relationship to the BHS community, such as "son is a sophomore at BHS."

In addition, there are several upcoming important dates parents should be aware of.

A new student orientation for upperclassmen attending Bedford High School will be held Aug. 27. A freshmen orientation will be held Aug. 28. Student pictures will be Aug. 28 for freshmen and Aug. 29 for sophomores and juniors.

A "Meet and Greet" for Hanscom primary and middle school families is scheduled for Aug. 30 from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Parents are encouraged to stop by to meet teachers, check class lists, purchase school spirit wear and find out more about the Parent Teacher Organization. Anyone interested in volunteering is encouraged to call 781-538-6493.

The school calendars will vary. For up-to-date information, visit the respective school websites to view calendars: www.lincnet.org and www.bedford.k12.ma.us/bhs/.

For more information on the school liaison program or for information on any of the local schools, visit www.hanscomservices.com/SchoolLiaison.asp.