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School Liaison Program
The School Liaison Officer’s primary function is to serve as a conduit between parents, educators and the command so that military-connected children experience a seamless transition during the transfer between schools. Knowing that many military children move an average of every 2.9 years, School Liaison Officers can provide families with educational information to assist them as they begin their PCS planning.
FACT
School Liaisons serve more than 1.6M DoD connected students worldwide. Where you find DoD connected students, you find School Liaisons.
The School Liaison Program (SLP) is the central point of contact for commanders, military families, and local school systems on school-related matters. The SL assists commanders and Total Force families in meeting the challenging demands of the military lifestyle by developing and maintaining partnerships between parents, installation leadership, local schools, including home schools, private schools, charter schools, virtual schools, Department of Defense Education Activity and International Schools and the community.
Mission: The School 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.
Vision: To deliver unparalleled educational advocacy, outreach, and partnerships for military-connected students around the globe!
Core Services:
There are two schools located on Hanscom AFB for children residing in base housing; Hanscom Primary School and Hanscom Middle School. Hanscom Primary and Middle Schools are part of the Lincoln, MA public school system. Students in grades 9-12 are transported to Bedford High School, which is part of the Bedford Public School District.
How do I know which school district I live in off base?
The parent/guardian’s physical residence determines the public school district and school zone your student will attend. Find your student’s assigned school zone by visiting the school or district websites at Lincoln Public Schools or Bedford Public Schools.
What is School of Choice?
Active duty members who are base residents with military-connected students now have the option to do school of choice. This means parents may send their student to any school in the district up to the school’s functional capacity. It is the parent’s responsibility to provide transportation for their student to and from school.
Parents/Guardians new to Hanscom AFB may choose their student’s district and school upon arrival. Parents in residence on base have one week prior to open registration to notify the desired school and complete the registration process.
Contact your Hanscom School Liaison for more information.
Academic Planning and Post-Secondary Preparations
Your School Liaison is ready with information and resources for your graduating military-connected student. Career planning information, scholarship availability, post-secondary information, and opportunities, are all available to set your student up for success.
FACT
Where they are we are. School Liaisons support military-connected students and families at every school transition point, deployment, and PCS.
What basic information do I need to register my student?
When registering a child, parents should have the following (may vary slightly):
Proof of Residency
Proof of residency (Photo ID with name and current address e.g., driver’s license, state-issued or military ID, and two documents proving current residency e.g., current utility bill, mortgage or lease documents, or property tax records)
Birth certificate and/or proof of legal guardianship
Immunization Records
Immunization records NOTE: Each student must have a current Shot Record. To obtain the correct documentation, take your student’s current shot record to the Immunization Clinic on base. Visit the State of Massachusetts Website for a list of vaccinations required to attend Massachusetts schools.
Academic Records
- Copy of the child’s most recent report card and/or transcripts from previous schools (if applicable)
Transferring from another Massachusetts School
If the student is transferring from another public school, a copy of the Student Transfer Record will be required. This form may be obtained at the school from which the student is transferring. Most importantly, contact the appropriate school prior to registration. Schools are open throughout the summer to accommodate parents during the registration process.
“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is: ‘what are you doing for others?”
— Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Three things every parent of a military-connected student can do.
- Learn about the Military Interstate Compact Agreement or MIC3
- Complete and return the Impact Aid Survey every year
- Share this information with every military-connected parent you meet
Why are MIC3 and the Impact Aid Survey so important?
The Military Interstate Children’s Compact Commission (MIC3) provides consistency across states and was drafted with the intent to avoid conflict with existing state codes where possible. It replaces widely varying policies that affect transitioning military students and supports uniform treatment for military-connected students as they transfer between school districts and member states.
While the Compact is not exhaustive in its coverage, it addresses the key issues encountered by military families: in the areas of eligibility, enrollment, placement, extra curriculars, and graduation.
Massachusetts & the Interstate Compact for the Education of Military Children - (MIC3)
The Interstate Compact provides consistency across states and was drafted with the intent to avoid conflict with existing state codes where possible. The Compact replaces widely varying policies that affect transitioning military students and supports uniform treatment for militaryconnected students as they transfer between school districts and member states. While the Compact is not exhaustive in its coverage, it addresses the key issues encountered by military families: in the areas of eligibility, enrollment, placement, extra-curricular military-connected, and graduation.
Your local School Liaison Office is the first in the chain of command for compliance concerns or challenges.
Results of the Impact Aid Survey help fund schools
Impact Aid survey data is collected and given to DoDEA by the Department of Education. The data received from the Department of Education is used to determine the eligibility for DoD Impact Aid. The amount of aid provided is determined using the previous year’s statistics. Impact Aid provides financial assistance to LEAs which meet the eligibility criteria. This criterion is based on a percentage of military or civilian dependent students in average daily attendance in their schools, as reported on their Federal Impact Aid application for the preceding year.
What Parents Need to Know
Mandatory Kindergarten
Massachusetts Law states that each child must attend school beginning in September of the calendar year in which he or she attains the age of six. Each school committee may establish its own minimum permissible age for school attendance, provided that such age is not older than the mandatory minimum age established by 603CMR 8.00. Learn more from school or district websites or read the law.
Stay Informed
Your School Liaison helps create networks of parents, military and civilian personnel, and community partners to support parents, military-connected students, schools, educators, and community leaders.
School Handbooks, websites, PTA/PTSA, booster clubs and committees are invaluable sources of information. You are encouraged to actively research your student’s school, programs, and opportunities. Most importantly, get involved.
Homeschooling in Massachusetts
Your School Liaison is the first stop to connect to your new homeschooling community. The School Liaison can advise you on local policies and laws, connect you with the appropriate agencies, and address any issues or concerns regarding homeschooling your military-connected student. Stay informed and connected. Learn the rules for homeschooling in Massachusetts
Special Education Support
Need help navigating the world of 504 or IEP plans, or finding support for your military-connected student with physical or learning challenges? Your school liaison is here to advocate for and ensure your student has the resources necessary to thrive. Whether you need help discovering available programs and services, or assistance in navigating the school system, reach out to your school liaison.
Private Schools
Families stationed at Hanscom AFB also have the option of enrolling their children in private school. If you are interested in exploring any of these other education options for your child, please contact the Hanscom School Liaison Program Manager.
Military Family Life Counselor
There is a Military Family Life Counselor (MFLC) available to all military-connected students in-zoned schools. MFLCs offer non-medical counseling for adults and children. Ask if there is an MFLC embedded at your military-connected student’s school, or how to make an appointment for your student. Learn more about counseling and support services available to support your military family.
Transition Support
Your installation School Liaison understands the challenges faced by military-connected students and families during transitions. Help, support, and resources are available for a variety of issues including to PCS/PCA, moving off/on the installation, deployment, childcare to Pre-K/K, Elementary School to Middle School, and Middle School to High School.
Peer to Peer Student Sponsorship
Student sponsorship programs offer peer to peer support for your military-connected student by introducing new students to others of similar age who share their interests.
Deployments and Parental Absences
Deployments upset routines regardless of how familiar or prepared families are with these types of absences. Absences impact students differently at different ages and stages. Your School Liaison or Military Life Family Counselor (MFLC) can provide families and military-connected students with resources and tools to assist in coping during these times. Including creating understanding of the cycle of deployments, and helping minimize negative academic, social, and emotional impact. Reach out to your school liaison, support is waiting.
Resources and Information for Military-Connected Students
External Links
Documents
Social Media
