Medal of Honor Recipient, U.S. Army Capt. Florent Groberg recognized by USCIS

HOT INFO: Impact Aid Survey

PARENTS:
If you work or reside at Edwards Air Force Base in uniform or as a civilian, and if you have one or more children attending school(s) on base, please answer the Impact Aid Survey to help our district receive this very important financial aid.

LINK TO THE SURVEY
This year, for the first time, the Impact Aid Survey has been sent to families digitally via ParentSquare/email. In previous years, the form was a physical piece of paper that had to be returned. Parents must complete the online form for each child enrolled in school. Two school aged children = complete the online form twice. If you haven't received the email/app notification or if you have questions, please reach out to Rebecca Balkenbush, School Liaison Program Manager, at 661-277-2456 or 661-902-8335 or 412.FSS.School.Liaison@us.af.mil

IMPORTANCE
Edwards Air Force Base is a federal property exempt from local property taxes, which triggers a lost local revenue for Muroc Unified Join School District. To offset such special challenge, along with increased expenditures for federally connected children, Congress allows the district to receive extra funding through the Impact Aid Program.

Department of the Air Force School Liaison Program (SLO)

“Student Focused…Partnership Driven”

Hello and welcome to team T-COT-A-TU, The Center of the Aerospace Testing Universe, here at Edwards AFB California. My name is Rebecca Balkenbush, and I am honored to serve as your School Liaison Program Manager.

I understand that the education of your children is a top consideration when it comes to a PCS move and I am happy to assist in your children’s educational transition.

I am the primary point of contact for school-related matters and the central point of contact for Commanders, military families, and school districts on preschool – 12^th grade school issues.

Military Child Education is a top priority for Department of Air Force leadership and school quality is an essential factor that impacts retention and readiness. The School Liaison program supports military-connected families by providing a variety of services such as: inbound and outbound transfers, information on local schools and homeschooling, information on educational resources, initiatives and community activities, scholarship and grant resources, and assistance with Military Interstate Children’s Compact Commission (MIC3) compliance.

I look forward to meeting you and your family and thank you for your service to our country!

For more information on how the School Liaison program supports military-connected families, please click on Department of the Air Force School Liaison Program below.

OUR MISSION

The Department of the Air Force School Liaison Program 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.

FAQ

01) How do I contact the Edwards AFB School Liaison Specialist?

Phone: 661-277-2456 or DSN: 527-2456
Address: 5 N Seller Ave Bldg 3000 Edwards AFB, CA 93524
Email: 412.FSS.School.Liaison@us.af.mil

02) What school choices do I have for my child?

You may send your child to a traditional public school where you live, a public magnet school, a public charter school, a private school or home-school.

03) Is there a law that supports military connected students?

Yes, the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children uses a comprehensive approach that provides a consistent policy in every school district and in every State that chooses to join. The goal of the Compact is to replace the widely varying policies affecting transitioning military students.

The Compact addresses key educational transition issues encountered by military families including enrollment, placement, attendance, special education services, eligibility and graduation.

Children of active duty members of the uniformed services, National Guard and reserve on active duty orders, and, for one year after leaving service, members or veterans who are medically discharged or retired are eligible for assistance under the Compact. For additional information, please visit the Interstate Compact Commission at www.mic3.net.

04) What Private schools are available?

Your School Liaison Specialist has listings of private schools in the surrounding areas around Edwards AFB. Information on private schools is also available on the California Department of Education website http://www.cde.ca.gov/ds/si/ps/.

The Private School Directory lists over 1,000 private schools that filed the annual Private School Affidavit and reported enrollments of six or more students. The majority of our students attend schools in Kern County, Los Angeles County, and San Bernardino County.

05) Which school is right for my child?

All public schools in California are responsible for California State learning standards. Please review each school’s Academic Performance Index (API) and school climate survey at the link below to determine the best match for your child: http://www.cde.ca.gov/getschoolreport. In addition, you can learn more about each school by visiting the California State Dashboard: California School Dashboard (CA Dept of Education) (caschooldashboard.org)

06) How do I know which school my child will go to?

The California Education Code 48200 states that where you live determines where your child attends a traditional public school.

You may request a permit to transfer however permits are not always granted from your home school district. If you live on base housing your home school district is the MUROC Joint Unified school district. Please visit their web site to obtain a permit to transfer application at www.muroc.k12.ca.us.

07) I want to home-school my child(ren), what do I need to do?

Please visit http://www.cde.ca.gov/sp/ps/rq/psfaq.asp#D. to learn more about schooling at home in the state of California.
Home School Support

08) What is needed to register my child for school?

Proof of age of minor, immunization record, proof of residency, and contact info for last school attended. For Kindergarten, a physical examination and dental screening is required. For special needs, a copy of latest IEP and last evaluation. Copy of Cumulative Folder: Current Schedule/Report Cards/Test Scores and Course Descriptions/Grading Scale if available for 6^th grade and above

09) What is a Magnet School?

A Magnet school is a public school operated under a court-ordered or federally approved voluntary desegregation plan offering a specialized curriculum, to a student body representing a cross section of the community. They attract students of different racial and socioeconomic backgrounds with similar educational interests, provide unique sets of learning opportunities, encourage innovation, and promote academic gains for students. Not all magnet schools are gifted.

10) What if my child has Special Needs?

Edwards AFB has the Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP). The EFMP-Family Support Specialist can help navigate and/or connect with community and family support services through:
- Information and Referral (before, during, and after PCS) to on-base, local, state, and federal services
- Support Services in the form of outreach
- Community awareness and education on EFMP
For more information, please call Ms. Stephanie Warner at stefanie.warner@us.af.mil or call 661-277-0723.
Special Education Services & Resources - https://www.cde.ca.gov/sp/se/sr/
Military Interstate children’s Compact Commission (MIC3) Special Education Services: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LZthoSYuuHs

The 7 C's of the SLO Philosophy

Connect schools, families, and communities to meet the unique needs of PreK-12 military-connected students.
Cultivate communication pathways between families, schools, community stakeholders and the military.
Customize real-time solutions for military-connected students facing transitional barriers and educational gaps.
Collaborate with community stakeholders to build a platform for enhanced educational opportunities and partnerships.
Comprehensive professional development for educators to understand the military lifestyle.
Construct a network of extensive resources for building resilient communities.
Create a system of support for military-connected students experiencing parental deployment or separation.

List of schools

On Base
- Muroc Joint Unified

Off-Base
- Antelope Valley Union High School
- Eastside Union K-8
- El Tejon Unified School District
- Gorman Joint
- Hughes-Elizabeth Lakes Union
- Keppel Union
- Lancaster School District
- Mojave Unified K-12
- Palmdale School District
- Southern Kern Unified
- Tehachapi Unified
- Westside Union
- Wilsona School District

Muroc JUSD Townhall

School Showcase

Video by Staff Sgt. Jose Ibarra

Medal of Honor Recipient, U.S. Army Capt. Florent Groberg recognized by USCIS

Defense Media Activity - Army Productions

Nov. 23, 2016 | 29:15

Medal of Honor Recipient, U.S. Army Capt. Florent Groberg recognized by USCIS as an Outstanding American by Choice at special naturalization ceremony at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office on Monday, Nov. 21, 2016.

TRANSCRIPT:

Retired Army Capt. Florent "Flo" Groberg

"This is a great day," he said. "I am so honored to be here. I know this is a day that you will never forget. This is a moment in your life that you worked so hard for, and you deserve. You've earned it. But now comes that responsibility of being just great citizens. I didn't speak English until I was 12 years old. I was born in France. When I became a naturalized citizen in 2001, I didn't truly understand what that meant at that moment. I was young. But when I put on that uniform and served our country -- it is our country, you can say that now, and it's pretty awesome -- I understood what it meant to call myself an American. When I was overseas fighting with our nation's finest, when I got see the capabilities and the heart and passion that they have for each other, I understood what it meant to be an American. And when I lost my friends, specifically on Aug. 8, 2012, when I felt that pain, it reminded me of why this is the greatest country in the world, because of its people, because of our history. We stand up, while others run. We face our struggles head on. And when we get knocked down, we get back up. You are part of this family, this is your country, just like it is my country, just like it is the director's country, and the Secretary of the Army's country. If a kid from Poissy, France, who didn't speak English, gets to have an opportunity to meet the President of the United States at the White house it should tell you a little bit about this country: anything is possible if you work for it. You are now in a position where you can change not only your life, but the lives of your families and your community. Never settle, always seek to be more and do more. You've made it here. Now let's continue on this journey together. Let's go out there and serve our communities. If you want to serve in the Armed Forces, then do it. I did it. And I loved it. I learned so much more about myself and about the importance of calling myself an American as well. I didn't get to appreciate it the way you get to appreciate it, when I was 17 years old. Today I get to spend and share this moment with you and I am just honored. I am honored to call you my peers. I am honored to be in your presence, because I know how hard you worked for this. And I know that you will cherish this moment for the rest of your lives. I know you have an opportunity in front of you to become greater than you ever expected, and you can do it, because this is the land of opportunity. If I am in front of you right now, speaking to you, it's because I was given a chance, and I worked for it, and every single day I'm going to try to earn it. So for that, my fellow Americans, my brothers and sisters, my friends, what an honor! Smile, be happy, and get out there and change the world. You can do it. If you made it here, you can do anything. Hooah!"

Read the story:
https://www.army.mil/article/178644/strength_of_america_evident_in_faces_of_new_citizens_army_secretary_says

Rebecca Balkenbush,
School Liaison Program Manager

Phone: 661-277-2456 or DSN: 527-2456
Cell: 661-902-8335
Address: 5 N Seller Ave Bldg 3000 Edwards AFB, CA 93524
Email: 412.FSS.School.Liaison@us.af.mil
Office hours: 7:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
LINK to School Liaison’s worldwide