School Liaison Officer-NB San Diego

School Liaison Officer

The School Liaison Officer's primary function is to serve as a conduit between parents, educators, and the command, so military-connected children experience a seamless transition during the transfer between schools.

The School Liaison Officers can offer information on area schools and help facilitate communication between the military family on matters relating to regional public and private schools as well as home school and alternative modes of education.

The School Liaison Officer provides information and resources for military families on internal organizations as well as some local organizations.

San Diego County has 42 independent school districts. There are 9 Installation School Liaison Officers in Navy Region Southwest; 4 specifically serving the San Diego Metro area. Each school district offers unique options for students in PreK-12th grade. Enrollment is based on the residence address of the family. See the Schools tabs below for more detailed information about your area of residence.

Student school enrollments are based on the residence address of the family. Some areas in San Diego are experiencing a growth in residential communities and so neighborhood school sites might fill to grade level capacity. Please contact the School Liaison Officer to inquire and get clarification on the school district's process/policy regarding the temporary overflowing of students.

The School Liaisons can:

• Answer questions about school enrollment options
• Provide information about local schools and boundaries
• Assist with inbound/outbound school transfers
• Help you understand and navigate the special education process
• Provide resources for college readiness
• Assist with agency referrals

...And much more!

School Liaison Officers are available to assist all service members and their families with school-related questions. Visit our Directory for contact information or for program updates and assistance.

Why School Liaison Officers?

• Families move an average of every 2.9 years
• Children attend up to 9 different schools by graduation
• Families experience increased stress related to deployment during wartime

Core Services

School Transition Services (PCS Cycle): School Liaison Officers assist families with school transfers and help “level the playing field” for military children and youth.

• Deployment Support: School Liaison Officers connect educators with the Navy deployment support system to inform them about the cycles of deployment and the tools available to assist educators in working with Navy children.
• Command, School, Community Communications: School Liaison Officers serve as subject-matter experts for installation commanders on K-12 issues, helping to connect command, school, and community resources.
• Home School Linkage and Support: School Liaison Officers assist Navy families by gathering and sharing information on homeschooling issues, policies, and legislation from local school districts. They also help leverage Navy Child and Youth Programs resources to support these families.
• Partnerships in Education (PIE): PIE creates a volunteer network of resources to support installation and community members who have a vested interest in the success of all youth.
• Post-Secondary Preparations: School Liaison Officers leverage installation and school resources to provide graduating military students with access to post-secondary information and opportunities.
• Special Needs System Navigation: School Liaison Officers provide information about installation and community programs and services, make referrals to the Exceptional Family Member Program, and offer assistance in navigating the administrative systems within local education agencies.

San Diego Area

For more information on local public, private, or homeschools, please contact:?

Stacey Bengtson, NBSD Installation School Liaison Officer: [email protected]

Phyllis Williams, NBSD Installation Child Youth Program Director: [email protected]

San Diego County is comprised of 42 school districts; where you live will determine your school district. San Diego Unified School District (SDUSD) covers the metro area of San Diego.

If you reside within San Diego Unified School District, your school is determined by your residence address and you are always guaranteed your neighborhood school site. To determine your neighborhood school within the SDUSD boundaries, please visit School Finder.

If you would like to choose a school other than your neighborhood school, please review the Choice Application process and all of your options in the SDUSD Choice Enrollment Guide. Be aware that the Choice application priority period typically opens on/about October 3 and remains open until on/about November 14 to apply for the following academic year. Choice application is always open for those families new to the district.

TRANSPORTATION

In San Diego Unified School District transportation services transportation is very limited. Students attending their residence or “neighborhood” school, in most cases, do not qualify. Transportation is also not provided for those attending a school outside of their neighborhood school through the Choice program. Some exceptions include non-public, Special Education and Magnet schools. You may review additional transportation at SDUSD Enrollment Options Transportation Information. Or if your child requires special education services, contact the Special Education office to get started.

CHARTER SCHOOLS

Public charter schools located in San Diego County can be located at San Diego County Office of Education and California Department of Education. Each charter school of interest should be contacted for individual policies on eligibility, enrollment and application processes/procedures. Enrollment periods for these schools can be as early as a year in advance and some school sites may not have waiting lists.

INDEPENDENT STUDY OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS

SDUSD offers a K 12 Independent Study school that offers an alternative to traditional schools at Mt. Everest Academy (MEA). Additional Independent Study schools can be located at California Department of Education Independent Study Schools.

PRIVATE SCHOOLS

Private school addresses, phone numbers, school administrators, grade span, programs offered, and enrollment by grade can be found in the Private School Directory, which lists private schools that filed the annual Private School Affidavit and reported enrollments of six or more students.

HOMESCHOOLING

There are three legal alternatives for homeschooling:

1. Home educators (parents) may establish a private school - based in their home - but must file a private school affidavit with the Superintendent of Public Instruction of California.

2. Homeschooling parents may enroll their children in a private school PSP (private school satellite program) that has filed a private school affidavit with the Superintendent of Public Instruction of California.

3. The home-schooled pupil may enroll in a public school independent study program.

For more information visit California Department of Education Schooling at Home.

For homeschool events hosted by our program, please contact Naval Base San Diego’s School Liaison at 858-349-767

SPECIAL EDUCATION NAVIGATION

The Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) includes identification of the family member's special needs and enrollment in the program, assignment coordination, and family support.

San Diego Unified School District identifies, and assesses all students within the district from 3 to 21 years of age who may have disabilities, and provide appropriate support and/or related services to those students determined by an educational evaluation. For more information, please visit SDUSD Special Education Department

CARE OPTIONS

Visit militarychildcare.com where you can find comprehensive information on childcare programs worldwide, conduct a customized search for the care you need, and submit a request for care at any time and from any location.

SDUSD offers a FREE PrimeTime Extended Day Program for elementary and middle school students that offers a fun and engaging learning environment during the hours most parents/guardians are working. An application must be filed and be aware that most schools have a waitlist.

IMMUNIZATIONS

For more information about school immunization requirements and resources, visit the California Department of Public Health or SDUSD Enrollment Requirements.

KINDERGARTEN AND TRANSITIONAL KINDERGARTEN

SDUSD Kindergarten Enrollment Requirements Children entering Kindergarten must turn 5 on or before September 1.

SDUSD Transitional Kindergarten (TK) is offered to children who turn 5 between September 2 and December 2. TK students enter kindergarten the following school year.

SCHOOL CALENDAR

Traditional and Year Round SDUSD Academic Calendar(s).

MILITARY INTERSTATE COMPACT

The Interstate Compact is an article of laws to help make the transition easier for children of military families, therefore be afforded the same opportunities for educational success as other children and are not penalized or delayed in achieving their educational goals. More information can be found at: www.mic3.net.

CHOOSING A SCHOOL

We know the importance of choosing a school that best meets the needs of your military child(ren). Even though we are unable to make direct recommendations for schools, we are available to help you acquire information and research the schools within NRSW. We can provide overall information on districts as well as help you determine what schools you might be zoned to once you have a residence. Academic, demographic, and fiscal information on California schools can be found using the following resources: Ed-Data California Dashboard School Accountability Report Card

What to do if we're on the housing waitlist or are in temporary housing? SDUSD allows you able to enroll in your neighborhood school site while on a military housing waitlist for up to six months. Please request a letter from your Lincoln Military Housing representative stating you are on the housing waitlist and take it, along with all required documents, directly to the school site to enroll.