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Back to school is right around the corner, and the U.S. Army Garrison Rheinland-Pfalz School Liaison Officer is ready to help new students transition into their schools with ease.
School liaison officers support families in several ways, said Lynn Rice, USAG RP SLO.
“We assist families prior to their arrival to the community by providing information regarding school registration, calendars, lunch, graduation requirements, school zones, eligibility requirements, immunization records, youth sponsors and more,” she said. “We are also here to assist families who are already settled in the community with their issues and concerns, while providing resources to assist them. Additionally, as families get ready to transition to a new community, we connect them with the gaining SLO, who can provide transition information for their next duty assignment.”
With 13 Department of Defense Education Activity schools in the USAG RP footprint, knowing where their children will attend school can be challenging for newcomers.
“Where families live determines where their child(ren) will attend school,” the garrison SLO explained. “For people living off post, it is important to find housing in villages where school transportation will be provided. To help with this, parents can reference the Feeder Zone list at the housing office or online at https://kaiserslautern.armymwr.com/programs/school-liaison-officer-slo.”
New students? No problem! Register your child(ren) with a copy of official orders, verification of present address, immunization records and transcripts from previous school (if available), Rice said. Families living in temporary-lodging facilities on or off post should bring a TLF invoice or receipt to verify their address. Families will register their child(ren) at the school serving the area they are currently residing in. Later, if permanent housing is found in a different school zone, they must reregister their child(ren) in the appropriate school.
Registering students for the school lunch program has never been easier, Rice said. Visit https://freeandreducedapps.aafes.com. Lunch prices range from $2.75 to $3 per meal and reduced-price is 40 cents. Additionally, if a family qualifies for free lunch and their child(ren) wear glasses, contact the SLO to learn how to obtain a voucher for $89.95 toward a pair of glasses.
Insecurities about new schools can sometimes make it tough for children to get settled in, Rice said. That’s when having a youth sponsor can make all the difference.
“The purpose of the Youth Sponsorship Program is to connect an inbound youth with local youth sponsors to help them get a feel for their new community. Youth sponsors provide information on schools, clubs, afterschool activities and community events,” she said. “The program is geared for sixth through 12th graders, however, if a family would like a sponsor for their elementary school child, we can find one. Families can request a youth sponsor through a SLO or youth center to ensure new youths have as much information as possible prior to arriving.”
Getting his children settled into their new school is a priority for Col. Jason Edwards, U.S. Army Garrison Rheinland-Pfalz commander, who arrived last month.
“Making sure our children have a smooth transition from one school to the next can be extremely difficult,” said the commander and father of two school-age kids. “School liaison officers make a difference in our military communities by providing useful information to minimize the stress our children experience during transitions. I have a personal responsibility to ensure our Kaiserslautern and Baumholder military communities can utilize such a valuable resource.”
For more information or questions about what the garrison SLO can do for you, call 541-9061 or 0611-143-541-9061, visit https://kaiserslautern.armymwr.com/programs/school-liaison-officer-slo or email usarmy.rheinland-pfalz.id-europe.mbx.dfmwr-slo@mail.mil.
