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Children head back to school with changes, new challenges

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Jensen Stidham
  • 20 FIghter Wing Public Affairs
SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. --  More than 1,000 students between Shaw Heights and High Hills Elementary School started school here, Aug. 19.

With the start of a new school year come new situations for students and faculty. For some students, this could mean their first time going to school while their mom or dad is deployed.

"Someone has been deploying from Shaw almost every week since the early 90s, and it hasn't ever stopped," said John Kennedy, 20th Force Support Squadron school liaison officer.

"The biggest challenge for a student is if they have a parent gone during the school year," said Dr. Melissa Morris, principal of Shaw Heights Elementary School.

Several students have parents deployed this year and more will face deployments throughout the year. Deployment support groups have been set up at each school by the school's guidance counselor to help kids understand what deployments are and how to deal with them.

"It gives them the ability to see other military children in their school who are going through the same experience that they are dealing with, so now they will know that they are not alone," said Kennedy.

While only some students may face the difficulty of deployments, the entire school district will experience change this year.

Dr. Frank Baker was voted in by the board of trustees as the Sumter School District's new interim superintendent this year.

"We are under new leadership and I think everyone's excited for that," said Josh Campbell, assistant principal of Shaw Heights Elementary School. "The big push this year is the three C's."

Dr. Baker has set up an initiative this year for all Sumter School District faculty to be caring, communicating and connecting with the community.

The district has also set up a volunteer mentor program for service members.

"Schools always need volunteers and our Soldiers and Airmen are always looking for things to do," said Kennedy. "One thing new that I want to do this year is challenge all of our units out there to adopt a school, because I think that will enhance our relationship that we have with our schools."

"With everything that's going on, it's definitely going to be a great school year," said Kennedy.

For more information or to sign up to be a mentor, contact Amy Hudson, Sumter School District volunteer coordinator, at (803) 468-4796.