McConnell School Liaison officer ensures smooth transition

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Colby L. Hardin
  • 22nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. --  Going to a new school is a big part of a military child's life. Whenever a child experiences a permanent change of station making new friends can be hard.

Newly assigned members to McConnell can have peace of mind knowing an office here works diligently to ensure a smooth transition for getting children into a school.

"There are so many factors that come into play when a child is adjusting to a new location and starting a new school," said Amy Jensen, 22nd Force Support Squadron civilian school liaison officer. "The primary goal of my position is to facilitate the academic success of military dependent children preschool to college-bound."

The summer and fall seasons are considered PCS season for the military which may require children of military members to move right before or during the start of the school year.

"Adjusting to a new location can be difficult for anyone honestly, and children tend to react to these changes in many different ways," Jensen added. "The best things you can do are be a good role model, and have a positive attitude about a new beginning and talk to your child about what they are feeling. Encourage them to be a part of the whole process as you pick a house and schools."

McConnell has more than 2,000 youth dependents, and it's the job of the civilian school liaison to work hand in hand with the military school liaison to make sure that each school age child is taken care of. School liaisons also ensure the child has the correct forms to make enrolling in school and adapting to the community as painless as possible.

"The school liaison helps with the main dynamics of enrolling into a new or different school," said Tech. Sgt. Terrance Williams, 22nd FSS base honor guard NCO in-charge. "They can tell you exactly what each school expects from your child."
PCSing can be tough not only for the children but also for the parents. Parents may have a tough time finding a home in the desired area they would like in order for their child to attend a particular school, and the SLOs are here to try to take that stress away from the family.

"I think that it's harder for the older kids to adjust," said Williams. "They've been accustomed to certain things for so long and now they have to try to fit in with other people that they don't know. The best way to help them is to communicate early and let them know that they are not alone in the move."