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New school year begins Sept. 2

By Mark Wyatt, 66th Air Base Group Public Affairs / Published August 27, 2014

HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. – Hanscom Middle School Transition Coordinator Loretta D'Alessandro brings new school supplies into the recently completed temporary middle school facility on Eglin Street Aug. 26. Students in first through 12th return to school Sept. 2, pre-school and kindergarten students begin Sept. 3. (U.S. Air Force photo by Mark Herlihy)
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HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. – Hanscom Middle School Transition Coordinator Loretta D'Alessandro brings new school supplies into the recently completed temporary middle school facility on Eglin Street Aug. 26. Students in first through 12th grades return to school Sept. 2, pre-school and kindergarten students begin Sept. 3. (U.S. Air Force photo by Mark Herlihy)

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HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. -- Next week middle-school students will begin the new school year in a recently completed temporary facility that will serve as the Hanscom Middle School until the new 85,000-square-foot permanent facility is completed in 2016.

First through 12th grade students' return to school Sept. 2, pre-school and kindergarten students begin Sept. 3.

In addition to the middle school for students in fourth through eighth grade, the Hanscom AFB campus includes a primary school for students in kindergarten through third grade.

Earlier this summer, base leadership, along with congressional delegates, the Army Corps of Engineers and Town of Lincoln school officials, participated in a groundbreaking ceremony on a $34 million project to replace the 1950s-era school that base students have called home for more than 60 years.

And while school officials expect there will be the usual first-day-of-school challenges, a few new ones are expected this year given the proximity of the temporary facility to the Child Development Center and 66th Medical Squadron and the expected increase in traffic near the area.

While excited for the new school year to begin, Hanscom's Middle School Principal Erich Ledebuhr requests patience during the first few weeks.

"As with any new building there will be new logistics to get used to," he said. "We ask for your patience and understanding as we all get settled and used to our new surroundings."

He added his appreciation to the 66th Security Forces Squadron for their help with a traffic flow plan and the Fire Department for their safety training.

Security Forces will provide a patrolman to assist with traffic at the corner of Eglin Street and Vandenberg Drive during the first week of school.

In addition to the new facility, some students may be new to the school district since moving here over the summer.

"For many Hanscom students this year, the first day of school will be their first day of school at Hanscom," said Robyn Endo, 66th Force Support Squadron Airman and Family Readiness chief.

And with new faces in the classrooms this year, Endo wants families to know that the school liaison specialist, formerly known as the school liaison officer, is here to help with that transition.

"The school liaison specialist is the focal point for school-related matters between commanders, military families and local school systems," she said. "This person will smooth the transition, whether it's helping to handle registrations, getting the most current information about schools, advising parents about which documents are required or other issues surrounding students' placement or adjustment in a new school."

The primary and middle schools are provided and supported entirely by the federal government, and are part of the Lincoln Public School system. Bedford High School is part of the Bedford Public School system.

Another responsibility is the "First Count" Federal Impact Aid Survey for federally connected students that live on Hanscom AFB. This survey is for both military and Department of Defense civilian families with children attending local school districts while living on base.

"Schools depend upon property taxes for funding, but state-funded schools with military families don't have that option," Endo 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 are expected to receive the Federal Impact Aid Survey during the first few weeks of school. Look for more information on it as school begins.

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.

To sign up for all Bedford High School news, go to any page on the school site at http://www.bedford.k12.ma.us/home/bedford-high-school.html and select "Sign up for eNewsletters" located near the bottom of the page.

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. The Hanscom Air Force Base website also includes up-to-date information on school happenings for students in kindergarten through high school at www.hanscom.af.mil.