Free Learning Resources for Military Kids
If 2020 showed us anything, it truly made us see how much more resilient our military kids are. They took on deployments, TDYs, a pandemic and more all while getting their education virtually! How amazing! Yes, we understand that the Pandemic threw a huge curveball our way. As Military service members we are used to rolling with the punches but even this time around taking care of our kid’s education was a learning experience for us all. Who knew math was so much harder to understand these days? We know by now you have a routine; the kids have a better virtual learning schedule and teachers are doing an amazing job at keep you informed of any changes. However, there are plenty of wonderful learning resources out there especially for our Military kids and we wanted to share those with you. Tutor.com Your kids can get free tutoring thanks to Tutor.com This great resource provides online tutoring and help with homework at no cost to eligible service members and their dependents. There are available tutors 24/7 ready to connect with your children and help them through any learning curve. https://military.tutor.com/home Kanopy Kanopy offers free movies and documentaries to service members and dependents. This is a great resource offered through the MWR library. Sign up for free using your library account. https://dod.kanopy.com/ MWR Digital Library The MWR digital library offers children of all ages free books, reference content reads for homework and different material for all categories of study. You need to create and account to log in. https://www.militaryonesourceconnect.org/achievesolutions/en/militaryonesource/mwrDigitalLibrarySearch.do?contentId=27777 Military Branches Libraries These libraries are free to use for service member and their dependents. https://www.navymwr.org/navy-mwr-at-home/library https://www.myairforcelife.com/libraries/ https://myarmyonesource.com/educationcareersandlibraries/libraries/default.aspx These offer reading challenges for kids all ages and encourage new reading material. You can also visit your local library on base. Hickam Library: 990 Mills BlvdJoint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, HI 96853 Ft. Shafter Library: 181 Chapplear RoadBuilding 650Fort Shafter 96858 SGT Yano Library- Schofield 1565 Kolekole AvenueBuilding 560Schofield Barracks 96857 MCBH Library: Kaneohe BayBuilding #219(above the Base Theater)808-254-7624 The USO also offers the Bob Hope Legacy reading program which offers monthly events for kids to attend. These are story on the lawn events or virtual readings. https://hawaii.uso.org/programs/bob-hope-legacy-reading-program These are some of our favorite free learning resources for kids. Take advantage of what the libraries and links above have to offer. Many organizations offer the same programs for parents.
Hawaii Schools
As much fun as living on Oahu can be, the reality is that it is not a full-time vacation and the kids have to go to school. As a parent, finding the best school that suits the needs of your family is a priority and we understand that. That is why we decided to make a blog post just for that. What are the school zones on island? What school can my kids attend? What schools are close or around base housing? When does enrolling begin? To find a school in your area you can use the HIDOE Public School finder. You can use the link below to see the map and zoom in on all Oahu cities to find a school close to you. https://hidoe.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=69f6b96049794d5592bb355b9cf12ec4 Once you zoom in and click on a school a small box will pop-up with general school information and point of contact so the school can be reached for further information. Follow the legend on the map which allows you to know which school is an elementary, middle, intermediate… Usually students have to attend school within the limits of the areas in which the family resides. If for some reason you want your children to attend a different school and geographic exception must be submitted. You can read more on that using the link below: http://www.hawaiipublicschools.org/ParentsAndStudents/EnrollingInSchool/Pages/Geographic-exceptions.aspx Once you find and determine that there is a school in your area that you would like your children to attend the next step is contacting the school for registration and submitting all applicable documents. You can do a walk-in or submit a registration online depending on the school. http://www.hawaiipublicschools.org/ParentsAndStudents/EnrollingInSchool/HowToEnroll/Pages/home.aspx School in Hawaii starts in Kindergarten and is mandatory, the child has to be 5 years old on or before July 31 to enter kindergarten in the upcoming school year. If you are looking to enroll your child in a Charter School you need to contact that specific Charter school. https://www.chartercommission.hawaii.gov/findacharterschool Make sure you have all the required documents for enrollment and complete the enrollment form. http://www.hawaiipublicschools.org/DOE%20Forms/Enrollment/SIS-10W.pdf You will need birth certificate, valid photo I.D and proof of current address, transcripts from last school they attended and immunization records. If your child needs emergency medication you will need to fill out the form below prior to enrollment. http://www.hawaiipublicschools.org/DOE%20Forms/Enrollment/EmergencyRescueMeds.pdf Oahu welcomes Military families all year long and the school system on island knows that transitions can be difficult. There are Military specific school liaisons in case you have questions to help your children’s transition. You can also contact Military school liaisons to help you enroll in on base schools and provide the information you need when it comes to each school on base. You can find their contact information along with all JROTC programs using the link below: http://www.hawaiipublicschools.org/ParentsAndStudents/MilitaryFamilies/Pages/home.aspx For all other information about the Hawaii State Department of Education and all their programs, resources and contact information visit http://www.hawaiipublicschools.org/Pages/Home.aspx We hope you found this helpful! We know how tough it can be to have one more thing to worry about while finalizing your transition to the island. If you have any questions House from the Military Spouse is here to help! Daniella Horne Freelance blogger, Military Spouse, Social Media Coordinator for Blue Star Families Hawaii, and Motherhood Blogger for Momma & Sprouts.
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