2013 PETE TAYLOR Partnership of Excellence Award

July 9, 2013

Military Child Education Coalition 15th National Training Seminar National Harbor, Maryland

Army Navy Marines Air Force Coast Guard Military Child Education Coalition During his tenure as Chairman of the Military Child Education Coalition, Lieutenant 909 Mountain Lion Circle General (Ret.) Pete Taylor played a critical role in the establishment of partnerships Harker Heights, Texas 76548 between military installations and school districts serving military-connected children.

(254) 953-1923 (254) 953-1925 fax In 2004, in recognition of General Taylor’s work and dedication to helping America’s military children, the MCEC Board of Directors established the Pete Taylor Partnership www.MilitaryChild.org of Excellence Award. This annual award encourages and applauds the outstanding Combined Federal Campaign #10261 partnerships that exist between military installations and school districts and brings special recognition to those partnerships that demonstrate General Taylor’s long-held belief that “goodness happens at the local level.”

Target congratulates the 2013 winners of the Reproduction of this booklet, in whole or in part, Pete Taylor Partnership of Excellence Award. is authorized with appropriate acknowledgement of the source.

Virginia Beach City Public Schools • Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story • Naval Air Station Oceana • Old Dominion University • National Math and Science Institute • Virginia Advanced Study Strategies

Virginia Beach City Public Schools and JEB Little Creek-Fort Story/ NAS Oceana: “Mission Focused”

Virginia Beach City Public Schools is the largest K-12 school division in Hampton Roads, with 106 (VFA-106) where students toured the hanger and proceeded to the flight line to watch a pilot approximately 70,000 students enrolled in 85 schools/centers. The exemplary partnership between perform his preflight check for takeoff. School coordinator Tim Axley said, “Our tour guides encouraged Virginia Beach City Public Schools (VBCPS) and the Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story students to immerse themselves in STEM related classes emphasizing that the relevance technology (JEBLCFS) and Naval Air Station (NAS Oceana) has continued to expand over the past decade. Thanks to plays in a military career can’t be overstated. This is an enriching educational opportunity that can’t be this valuable collaboration, the division is able to facilitate a variety of programs to promote academic learned in the classroom.” achievement and provide the foundation, stability, and consistency that military-connected families Old Dominion University (ODU) offers a 12-credit hour Military Child and Families Education graduate expect. This partnership conveys the overall message to parents that THEIR children are OUR priority. certificate to VBCPS teachers, counselors and administrators. One exemplary partnership activity is the Shelton Park Elementary School’s Science Club opportunity Strategic Foreign Language Expansion Program (S-FLEP) is currently in place in six VBCPS middle schools, for real-world experience in solving a real-world problem, namely to clean up the Chesapeake Bay and three high schools where there is a large military family member population. Because this population in order to protect and restore its ecosystem. A previously created oyster reef at JEBLCFS is helping is highly mobile, nationally and internationally, opportunities for Chinese Language study are significant. to educate students on the environmental benefit of oysters which filter water, and form reefs to This grant will enable Tallwood High School’s Global Studies and World Languages Academy to offer the provide habitats for many fish and crab species. Students were invited to bring their classroom-raised class to all other secondary schools via distance learning. oysters to the base, and place them in containers next to the reef to serve as a foundation for the natural oysters to grow in the surrounding waters. Students then monitored the oysters’ progress each On April 25, 144 resident commands at JEBLCFS took the term “active duty” to a new level by month, incorporating science and math skills learned in class; specifically, by averaging numbers and data participating in a food drive to support the VBCPS Beach Bags Program. Organized by the base collection. Melissa Follin, Gifted Resource teacher and sponsor of the Science Club, said the children are chapel and school military liaison officers, more than 1,800 beach bags were packed by 60 volunteers doing more than just measuring oysters. “By being involved in this project, I think they have learned they representing the Navy, Army and Marines. Members of the base chapel collected $5,000 prior to the can be involved in the world and help make a positive difference,” Follin said. food drive, and used the donations to purchase milk, cereal, snack, juice and meal items included in each beach bag. It was enough food to pack two school buses, and support the program for the remainder of As part of the Tidewater Student Association (TSA) Fall Rally, students from Ocean Lakes High School the school year. were invited to NAS Oceana, not only tour the base, but also to learn more about STEM careers in the military. Nearly 60 students and chaperones had an opportunity to sit in a cockpit simulator at the Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training Unit (CNATTU) where they experienced the sensation of flying an F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter jet. The daylong field trip included a visit to Strike Fighter Squadron 2013 exemplary Partnership Award 2013 exemplary Partnership Award

Waynesville R-VI School District • Fort Leonard Wood West Point Elementary School (DoDEA) • West Point Middle School (DoDEA) • James I O’Neill High School (Highland Falls-Fort Montgomery Central School District) • West Point US Military Academy

Waynesville R-VI School District in Partnership with Fort Leonard Wood to Support Military-Connected Students and Families The West Point Community Schools Educational Partnerships

The partnership with Fort Leonard Wood, Waynesville R-VI School District, and the local community is West Point is home to the US Military Academy, the US Military Academy Preparatory School, and robust, multi-faceted, and dynamic. The school district and Fort Leonard Wood work closely together the soldiers and civilians who support and train our nation’s future leaders. Family members in our at all levels to ensure military students and families can easily acclimate into the district through New community primarily attend West Point Elementary School (DoDEA), West Point Middle School (DoDEA) Family Welcomes, Student 2 Student Clubs, a comprehensive after school program, deployment support or James O’Neill High School (Highland Falls-Fort Montgomery Central School District). groups, and summer programs. Waynesville R-IV School District and Fort Leonard Wood recognize the West Point has initiated numerous high caliber partnerships. These partnerships directly reflect the vitality of open, on-going communications, and no major decisions are made within the district without dedication of the teachers, soldiers, professions, civilians, and administrators who strive to make a first seeking advice from Fort Leonard Wood to ensure the educational, physical, emotional, and social difference and enrich the educational experiences of our students. On a regular basis, the West Point needs of the 75% military-affiliated student body are met. Band enhances the middle school band curriculum by providing unique instructional and observational One example of the support the school district offers to military children in partnership with Fort experiences. Various world and cultural music is explored and ranges from traditional military music to Leonard Wood is the comprehensive afterschool program, Club TIGER. Club TIGER offers academic the highly interactive, and musically communicative African drumming circles. assistance, physical fitness, and interest-based clubs for students in grades K-12 each day afterschool to The US Army Garrison Military Police Company serves as role models and mentors for an at-risk support academic and social development. Since the beginning of the school year, more than 72% of population at the high school. A core group of MP soldiers meet with at-risk students to play sports, the student body has attended Club TIGER - 76% are military-connected students. talk, and build trusting relationships the students may not have in their home life. The Robotics Systems Joint Office on Fort Leonard Wood, and the Waynesville R-VI School District are International cadets also visit the schools on a regular basis to share overviews of their countries and collaborating to establish a hands-on, project based Robotics program. The partnership implements and cultures. Students receive firsthand knowledge of traditions, food, governments, clothing and more operates a club worthy of regional and national competitions, and encourages students to get involved during presentations from the cadets. in STEM fields such as National Defense. Traditionally, the Corps of Cadets assembles by company and arches into lunch each day. Cadets invite elementary and middle school students to attend their company lunch formations, and to eat lunch with them in the Mess Hall, a privilege very few non-cadets get. The partnerships cultivated at West Point are directly nested in the mission of the United States Military Academy – to educate, train, and inspire! 2013 outstanding individual Program

2012 Winners: Outstanding Partnership Camp Lejeune • Brewster Middle School • BItz Intermediate School • Anchorage School District and Joint Base Elmendorf Richardson, Alaska

Recognized Partnerships • DoDEA Fort Benning Schools: Herbert Dexter Elementary School; Don Faith Middle School; Frank Loyd Elementary School; Morris McBride Elementary School; Freddie Stowers Elementary School; Edward White Hoops-N-Dreams Elementary School; Richard Wilson Elementary School, Georgia; Fort Benning: 1/29th Infantry; 1/10th Field Artillery; Directorate of Emergency Services; 2/58th Infantry; Hoops-N-Dreams shows a true community partnership between a passionate teacher, a middle school, 192nd Infantry Brigade; 2/29th Infantry Regiment; OCS 11th Infantry Regiment; 197th Infantry HHC; 2/11th and the Marine Corps. The innovative program brings various groups together in a collaborative Infantry HHC; Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation (WHINSEC); and partnership to educate and mentor children with special needs, low self-esteem, and non-athletic Fort Benning Community: Muscogee County Career and Technical Academy; WRBL News 3; Embracing abilities. Hoops-N-Dreams impacts the children and volunteers in many positive ways. Marine volunteers Military Children; and Big Lots Stores learn how to work with middle school-aged children and students with disabilities while sharing • U.S. Army Garrison Presidio of Monterey; Naval Support Activity Monterey (NSA Monterey) and Naval coaching and mentoring skills. Postgraduate School (NPS); Monterey Peninsula Unified School District; and National Naval Officers’ Association (NNOA), California The students learn team building, camaraderie, positive character traits, an appreciation for diversity, and basketball skills. The students feel special, capable, and cared for. Students who have trouble Recognized Individual Programs making friends, socializing, and playing team sports rapidly learn these new skills. They gain confidence, • Naval Air Station Key West and Sigsbee Charter Schools, Florida self-esteem, and lifelong friendships. Homework time and character education sessions are also implemented at the weekly sessions. It is a two-way partnership and everyone who participates gains valuable life-long skills. 2011 Winners: Outstanding Partnership • Fort Bragg, Pope Air Field, Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, Camp Lejeune, Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, Marine Corps Air Station New River, Marine Corps-East, North Carolina National Guard, North Carolina Department of Instruction, North Carolina

Exemplary Partnerships • Naval Submarine Base New London, U.S. Coast Guard Academy and local school districts in New London County, Connecticut • Commander Fleet Activities Yokosuka, CFAY Complex Schools of the DoDEA Japan District, Japan • Tyndall Air Force Base, Naval Support Activity Panama City, Bay District Schools, Florida

Recognized Individual Programs • 2nd Stryker Calvary Regiment-Vilseck, Germany, Bavarian Medical Command, 18th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, Bavaria District Superintendent Office, Armed Forces Network, Vilseck High School, 2009 Winners: Vilseck Civilian Spouses Club, Vilseck Elementary School Parent Teacher Student Association, Germany • Tanana Middle School, Ladd Elementary School, Child Youth Behavioral Military & Family Life Program, Outstanding Partnership Military School Liaison Program, Alaska • Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton and Oceanside Unified School District, California

Exemplary Partnerships 2010 Winners: • Travis Air Force Base and Travis Unified School District, California Outstanding Partnership • U.S. Army Garrison Wiesbaden and Wiesbaden School Complex, Heidelberg District, DoDDS Europe, Germany Recognized Partnerships • Fort Campbell, Christian County Public Schools (KY), DDESS Kentucky District, Clarksville/Montgomery Exemplary Partnerships County School System (TN), Stewart County School System (TN), Todd County Public Schools (KY), • Military Partners: Cheatham County School System (TN), and several private schools, Kentucky/Tennessee Joint Base Langley Eustis; Naval Weapons Station Yorktown; Fort Monroe; Naval Station Norfolk/Naval • 2-20 Field Artillery, 41st Fires Brigade, Fort Hood; Meadows Elementary School, Killeen Independent School Support Activity; Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek; Joint Expeditionary Base Fort Story; Naval Air District, Texas Station Oceana/Dam Neck and Norfolk Naval Shipyard/Naval Medical Center Portsmouth, Virginia • Child and Youth School Services, Fort Riley; Geary County Schools, USD #475, Junction City, Kansas • School/Community Partners: • The U.S. Army Garrison, Schweinfurt; Schweinfurt Middle School nurses & various other community Virginia Operation Military Kids; Chesapeake Public Schools; Gloucester Public Schools; Hampton City groups, Germany Schools; Isle of Wight County Schools; Newport News Public Schools; Norfolk Public Schools; Poquoson City Public Schools; Portsmouth Public Schools; Suffolk Public Schools; Williamsburg/James City County Schools; Virginia Beach City Public Schools and York County School Division, Virginia 2008 Winners: Outstanding Partnership Recognized Partnerships • Fort Sill and Lawton Public Schools, Oklahoma • Fort Sill, Oklahoma; Family, Morale, Welfare and Recreation; Child, Youth and Schools Services; School Liaison Officers; and Superintendents from the Southwest Oklahoma School Districts, Oklahoma Exemplary Partnerships • United States Army Garrison, Redstone; Huntsville City Schools; Madison City Schools; Madison County • Fort Bragg and Cumberland County Schools, North Carolina Schools; National Children’s Advocacy Center; the Huntsville/Madison County Schools Foundation; City of Huntsville; City of Madison; Madison County; Hands on Greater Huntsville; Association of the United Recognized Partnerships States Army; Leadership Huntsville; Committee of 100; Huntsville/Madison County Chamber of Commerce; • Los Angeles Air Force Base and Los Angeles Unified School District, California Workforce Development; YMCA Director of Children Programs; SciQuest; BRAC Support; Alabama Governor Bob Riley; Hudson Alpha Institute; Woody Anderson Ford and Digital Radiance, Alabama Outstanding Partnerships - Individual Projects • Navy Region Southwest; Marine Corps Installations West; San Diego Unified School District, California • U.S. Army Garrison Schweinfurt, U.S. Army 172nd Brigade, 1-91 CAV Group, and Schweinfurt Elementary School, Germany Outstanding Partnerships - Individual Projects • U.S. Army Garrison Detroit Arsenal and Mount Clemens Community School District, Michigan • Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune; Marine Corps Air Station New River; Onslow County Schools, Onslow • Kaiserslautern Middle School and Defense Commissary Agency, Germany County Public Library, North Carolina 2007 Winners: 2006 Winners: Outstanding Partnership Outstanding Partnership • Joint Military Services of Hampton Roads and Hampton Roads Communities. Virginia Installations - Fort • Fort Campbell, Fort Campbell Domestic Dependent Elementary and Secondary Schools (DDESS), Christian Eustis, Fort Story, Fort Monroe, Langley Air Force Base, Fleet & Family Support Centers. School Districts - County Public Schools of Kentucky, Todd County Schools of Kentucky,Clarksville/Montgomery County Virginia Beach City Public Schools, York County School Division, Chesapeake Public Schools, Gloucester Schools of Tennessee, Stewart County Schools of Tennessee, and Cheatham County Schools of Tennessee, Public Schools, Isle of Wight County Schools, Newport News Public Schools, Norfolk Public Schools, Kentucky/Tennessee Poquoson City Public Schools, Portsmouth Public Schools, Suffolk Public Schools, Williamsburg/James City County Public Schools, Virginia Exemplary Partnerships • Fort Sam Houston and Fort Sam Houston Independent School District, Texas Exemplary Partnerships • Fort Bliss and El Paso Independent School District, Texas • Partners-in-Education: Department of Defense Dependent Schools Korea and United States Forces Korea, Korea Outstanding Community/School Project • U.S. Army Garrison Grafenwoehr and Department of Defense Dependent Schools Bavaria, Germany • Heidelberg School District and Heidelberg Military Garrison, Germany • Fort Carson Community: Fort Carson, Fountain-Fort Carson School District-8, Widefield School District-3, • 52nd Fighter Wing Command, Mission Support Group Command, and Bitburg High School, Germany Colorado Springs Christian Schools, Academy District- 20, Falcon School District-49, Pueblo School District-70, and Pikes Peak Alliance Council, Colorado • Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training Unit and Kings County School District, Shelly Baird School, California 2005 Winners: Outstanding Partnership Individual Program Recognitions • Groton Public Schools and New London U.S. Naval Submarine Base, Connecticut • Mids for Kids: United States Naval Academy and Anne Arundel County Public Schools, Maryland • Helping Schools Provide for Deployment Success: Fort Lewis, Madigan Medical Center, and Clover Park Exemplary Partnerships School District, Washington • Cumberland County Public Schools and Fort Bragg, North Carolina • Fort Sam Houston Independent School District and Fort Sam Houston, Texas Honorable Mention - Individual Program • “Army Kids Strong” Vicenza Elementary School, DoDEA Mediterranean, and USAG Vicenza, U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Italy

Apply now for 2014! Visit www.militarychild.org/professionals/programs for more information.

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