Navy Region Southwest's School Liaison Program hosted its first-ever Education Options in San Diego County Resource Fair Feb 3 for military parents with school-aged children.
The event, held at the Murphy Canyon Chapel, joins military parents and more than 54 programs and schools under one roof, allowing parents to have an opportunity to explore educational opportunities throughout the county.
Marine Corps service liaison officer (SLO) Kelli Miller said SLOs throughout San Diego acknowledged a need for the fair to aid military members moving into the area who are not fully aware of their available education options.
"A lot of our families that come into San Diego are overwhelmed and confused by the vast availability of options, and they take what's given to them," said Miller. "We are really just trying to inform our parents so they can make the best choice for their children."
From charter, online, and magnet schools to home schooling and enrichment programs, the fair included presentations from vendors for military dependents, K thru 12th grade.
In addition to providing resources, the fair served another purpose. Miller explained that the fair was scheduled specifically to help military parents meet the school choice deadline for San Diego Unified School District students. The district's choice program allows qualified students the option to transfer schools within the district.
"The deadline is Feb. 15, and we want to make sure that our military families are getting that priority, but we will follow through with any necessary actions even after the deadline; our families are always looking for [educational] information.”
Lesley Nurse, a Navy spouse and fair attendee said she was impressed with the idea of the fair, and it opened her eyes to all of the options available for her two children.
"I think this was a good opportunity and venue to become aware of the opportunities that are out there - some that I was not even aware of," said Nurse.
She added that she is looking forward to any future resource fairs that the SLO program will offer and hopes that it will cater more to the working parents who get off work later in the evening.
Chanin Massaglia, a SLO for the Southwest Region added that the plan is to make the options fair an annual event. Additional fairs, especially an enrollment fair, would be held later in the year.
For more information, contact your respective service liaison officer or you can visit http://www.cnrsw.navy.mil/fsc/schools.htm for more information on education options for military dependents, K-12.
