MILITARY FAMILY RESOURCES

The Spencer-East Brookfield Regional School District is proud to honor our military-connected students and their parents/families with opportunities aimed at supporting them as they transition into and on from our learning community.

As such, the Spencer-East Brookfield Regional School District has designated the Superintendent of Schools as its Military Liaison for any student in grades PreK-12.

The District's Military Liaison emphasizes the importance of assisting military children with school transition, and developing programs that recognize the value of military service and civic responsibility.

Vision: To deliver unparalleled educational advocacy, outreach, and partnerships for military-connected students around the globe!

Mission: The district military liaison, the Superintendent of Schools, as well as the elementary school military liaison is committed to outreach, advocacy, and partnership initiatives that generate real-time solutions for military-connected students in grades Pre-Kindergarten through grade 12 as they face global educational challenges and transitions.

(1) The military liaison’s duties include but are not limited to:

 (A) Identifying military-connected students enrolled at the campus through the Public Education Information Management System

(B) Serving as the point of contact between the campus and military-connected students and their families

(C) Determining appropriate campus services available to military-connected students

(D) Assisting in coordinating campus programs relevant to military-connected student

(2) Maintain on the campus website an easily accessible webpage that includes resources for military-connected students and their families, including information regarding:

(A) Relocation to, enrollment at, registration at and transferring records to the campus

(B) Academic planning, course sequences and advanced classes available at the campus

(C) Counseling and other support services available for military-connected students enrolled at the campus

(D) The military liaison designated under Subdivision

(1) and the liaison's duties under that subdivision:

(3) Maintain a transition program led by students, where appropriate, that assists military-connected students in transitioning into the campus

(4) Offer professional development for staff members on issues related to military connected students

(5) Offer at least one of the following initiatives:

(A) A resolution showing support for military-connected students and their families

(B) Recognition of the Month of the Military Child or Military Family Month with relevant events hosted by the campus

(C) A partnership with a local military installation that provides opportunities for active-duty military members to volunteer at the campus, speak at an assembly or host a field trip.

Core Services provided by the Spencer-East Brookfield Regional School District include but are not limited to:

· School Transition: School Liaisons support transitional issues affecting military connected students and assist in facilitating solutions.

· Deployment/Parental Absence Support: School Liaisons provide families and school personnel with resources focused on parental absence, to include the cycle of deployment and academic, social and emotional impact.

· Installation, School and Community Communication: School Liaisons are installation subject matter expert to Commander/Command Staff/parents for all local Pre-K-12 education issues regarding military child education.

·  Home School Support: School Liaisons share information on homeschool issues, concerns, local policies, and regulations of state/local education agencies and connect home school families to their community.

· Community Relations, Partnerships and Outreach: School Liaisons create a network of parents, community partners, and military/civilian personnel to support installation/community and school systems.

· Academic Planning and Post-Secondary Preparations: School Liaisons leverage installation/school resources (e.g., Education and Training Flight) to provide graduating military students’ access to post-secondary information and opportunities.

· Special Education Support: School Liaisons connect families with appropriate resources needed to navigate school systems.

As a result of the passage of the Valor Act of 2012, Massachusetts became a member of the Military Interstate Children's Compact Commission or MIC3. In accordance with the Valor Act and MIC3, the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education is committed to provide support and assistance to the students of active duty military families. We work to ensure the timely enrollment and graduation of this mobile population. Click the highlighted text to learn more about the Military Interstate Children's Compact Commission (MIC3).

  • Massachusetts Military Children’s Identifier: In May 2012 Governor Patrick signed the VALOR Act, which strengthened services for veterans and their families in the Bay State. As a provision of the Act our state joined the Military Interstate Children’s Compact Commission (MIC3). As a signatory of the MIC3 Compact, our state agrees to abide by special provisions involving the interstate transfer of school-aged children whose parents or guardians meet the following criteria: - Active duty military personnel or National Guard or Reserve personnel serving on active duty - Active duty military veterans who have been medically discharged or retired within one year - Deceased while on active duty At the urging of the military support community, the Mass. Dept. of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) created a Student Information Management System (SIMS) category for “Military Family Status.”

Related Resources:

To learn more about the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's Military Interstate Children's Compact Commission (MIC3) including staff contact information, MIC3 guidance information as well as Student and Family Support (SFS) resources available, click here.