Student On-line Achievement Resources (SOAR) in an  innovative program that makes it easy for parents to play an active role in their children’s education. SOAR is designed for military families, and is easily accessible worldwide.

Parents can register their children through SOARS and are provided with educational resources, access to their children’s student account and program tutorials. Students take an assessment aligned to state standards, and SOAR directs them to individualized tutorials to improve skills where needed. Parents can monitor their children’s progress from anywhere, and are provided with resource materials.

Learn more here.

Permalink

Stars and Stripes Backpack

Military children can strap on their American pride and head back to school in style.

Permalink

We Salute Our Military Olympians!

American servicemembers have been competing in the world Olympic games since they began in 1896. Over a dozen US  Military athletes will be in Beijing to compete.

At least 15 soldiers and airmen will find out this month how they fare against the rest of the world in track and field, Greco-Roman wrestling and marksmanship events.

The competitors and their events are:

– Army Staff Sgt. Dremiel Byers, Greco-Roman wrestling;
– Army Maj. Michael Anti, air rifle;
– Army Staff Sgt. Keith Sanderson, rapid-fire pistol;
– Army Pfc. Vincent Hancock, skeet;
– Army Sgt. 1st Class Jason Parker, air rifle;
– Army Staff Sgt. Daryl Szarenski, free pistol;
– Army Spc. Walton Glenn Eller III, double trap shooting;
– Army Spc. Jeffrey Holguin, double trap shooting;
– Retired Army Sgt. 1st Class Bret E. Erickson, trap shooting;
– Army Staff Sgt. Libby Callahan, pistol shooting;
– U.S. Military Academy Cadet Stephen Scherer, air rifle;
– Air Force Capt. Eli Bremer, modern pentathlon;
– Air Force Capt. Seth Kelsey, epee fencing;
– Air Force Capt. Kevin Eastler, 20-kilometer race walk; and
– Air Force Lt. Col. Dominic Grazioli, trap shooting.

The Department of Defense has designated a place here to highlight the accomplishments of America’s military Olympians.

 These national heroes are already gold in our eyes!

Permalink

Operation Homefront wants to lend a hand to military families and get their children ready to go back to school. Operation Homefront recognizes the sacrifices military families make and with the help of the community we hope to bring a moment of joy to our military families. They are currently  collecting new school supplies for children of all ages. Among the supplies needed are backpacks, notebooks, pens, pencils, markers, crayons, paper, rulers, colored pencils, calculators and erasers. Donations of money or volunteer time are also welcome and appreciated.

All items collected for back-to-school will be used to stuff backpacks that will be distributed to military school children who need a little help with their back-to-school needs. Operation Homefront chapters will distribute over 10,000 stuffed backpacks this school year.

 Military familes in need of backpacks with supplies must register with their local Operation Homefront chapter. A listing of chapters can be found here.

Donors and military familes who do not have a local Operation Homefront chapter may participate via Operation Homefront’s care package program.

Permalink

MY HERO: Military Kids Write About Their Moms and Dads

Edited by Allen Appel and Mike Rothmiller

Working through the Armed Services YMCA, Alan Appel and Mike Rothmiller have collected more than 100 essays from children whose parents are serving or have served in the military. The children’s heartfelt, moving, sometimes funny, and completely honest observations about their moms and dads truly capture the emotional connection between parent and child.  It is a connection that cannot be severed even when a parent is thousands of miles away, gone for long stretches of time, and in danger.

Inspiring, heartbreaking, and genuine, this book provides a fascinating look inside the hearts and minds of kids who love and honor their moms and dads as heroes - at home or on the battlefield.

Permalink

The Department of Defense has developed a comprehensive plan that provides military families with the tools and information needed to make informed choices regarding the appropriate educational setting for each child. Through the publications, resources and websites listed here, parents can access information necessary to compare options, make sound education decisions, and become involved and informed advocated of quality education.

Permalink