MacDill, schools spear effort to support military children, families

Published May 3, 2012
By Nick Stubbs
6th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs

MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Airmen accept life in the service can be challenging, and they sacrifice much of themselves to do their duty.

What was made clear during a unique and important symposium held at MacDill last week is that two things Airmen parents are not willing to sacrifice are the safety or education of their children.

In a daylong event spawned by Col. Lenny Richoux, 6th Air Mobility Wing commander, and MaryEllen Elia, Hillsborough County superintendant of schools, the Military Impacted Schools Association symposium brought together teachers and school administrators from 16 Florida school districts to address the problems military families with school-aged children face due to frequent family moves. From registration and academic tangles, to loss of friends and adjustment problems inherent to being a perpetual "new kid," the symposium tackled the key issues for military parents and their children.

While the symposium was divided into several segments, perhaps the most important, said Nelly Richards, MacDill school liaison officer, was hearing from sometimes emotional MacDill parents serving on a panel.

While each highlighted different concerns related to moving from school to school, the safety of their children emerged as a top worry. From bullying and attacks, to proper supervision, MacDill parents pleaded with school officials in the audience for help.

As Lt. Col. Samantha Ray, 6th Communications Squadron commander put it, "When they're with you, take care of my babies."

That sentiment was echoed by panelist Michele Richoux, the 6th AMW commander's wife.

She spoke of how one of her children faced a bullying problem in middle school, how moving frequently resulted in her children losing confidence, and the feelings of being "less connected" her children have felt.

These are not the kinds of problems military children have control over, stressed Cathy Almand, wife of Col. David Almand, 6th AMW vice commander.

"Kids don't ask to be born into a military family," she said.

Almand said her son was supported well by Hillsborough County, but overall has had "three mediocre years," and she's hoping things will be better for him in his new school when the family moves to her husband's next assignment this month. The family has been at MacDill just 10 months.

Parents on the panel also lamented the myriad of academic standards and requirements they've seen from state to state.

Victoria Molineux, wife of Col. Matt Molineux, 6th Operations Group commander, advises parents to research the state where they are headed and learn as much as possible. She told the story of how Hillsborough County schools nearly placed her daughter - a top student - into a remedial reading program as a matter of course. Eventually, administrators came around to looking at her daughter as an individual, allowing her to test without the reading course. She achieved a perfect reading score, proving that students transferring in from other states should be evaluated on their individual merits and not just lumped into a system, said Molineux.

It is often the case, some of the parents noted, that a top student moves to a new school only to learn they are not recognized for what they achieved at their previous school.
Children don't understand how they can be considered "gifted (in one state) and not so smart in another state," said Molineux.

A bright spot for military families is the potential positive impact of the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children, a set of standards in the works to ensure school systems around the country are working from the same sheet of paper when it comes to accommodating the needs of students of military parents, said Richards, who hopes to hold symposiums on the issues at least annually at MacDill. She also would like to see similar symposiums more common at the national level, bringing military parents and school districts from across the nation together to examine the unique problems that weigh on military parents and children.

"We want to call for national uniformity," she said, adding military parents and their kids should be able to "move from place to place without having to worry."

Richards said everyone should share the philosophy of Richoux, whom she said is not only focused on the "well being of people," but also the importance of freeing Airmen from the stress that can be a distraction from their duty and mission.

"When he first came here (to MacDill), one of his goals was taking care of Airmen, and a very big piece of that was taking care of military families," said Richards.

The simple idea is that if parents and children are not burdened with safety concerns, miles of red tape, and a labyrinth of requirements and inconsistencies from school to school, they will be happier and more effective - strengthening families and the force.