School Liaison Office Newsletter for July 2012

1. SLO News
July 2012
This School Liaison Office (SLO) Newsletter is provided for your use and information! You will find a brief descriptor of
each item of interest and in most cases (where possible) there will be an imbedded hyperlink which will take you to
additional detailed information on the issue. As always, do not hesitate to contact the Columbus School Liaison Officer
on any K-12 Education issue. PLEASE share this document with other families!
School Liaison Office Office Phone: 662.434.2792 Website: www.griffisweb.net
14 MSG/CCL Office FAX: 662.434.3461 facebook: search on “Columbus AFB
Building 730, Suite 215 Cell: 662.549.0181 School Liaison Office”
Columbus, MS 39710 eMail: slo@columbus.af.mil and become a fan!
School Calendar: 2012-13: The Lowndes County School District (LCSD) and the Columbus Municipal School District
(CMSD) have released their school calendar for the School Year 2012-13. They are available here: LCSD CMSD.
School Bus Issues: Please inform the School Liaison Office immediately of any recurring issues reading school buses.
Also, please refer to the document below regarding conduct on school buses.
Sales Tax Holidays: Save $$$
Mississippi will conduct their fourth Sales Tax Holiday during a 48-hour time period beginning 12:01 a.m. Friday, July 27,
2012, and ending 12:00 midnight Saturday, July 28, 2012. The popular “back to school” event is worth 7 percent in
savings to consumers as result of waiving the sales tax on specific items. For Additional info, please go to: MS
Alabama will hold its seventh annual sales tax holiday, beginning at 12:01 a.m. (CST) on Friday August 3, 2012, and
ending at 12:00 midnight on Sunday August 5, 2012. Shoppers will have the opportunity to purchase certain school
supplies, computers, and clothing free of state sales or use tax. For more information, go to: AL
School /District Report Cards: As required under the No Child Left Behind legislation, each school/district is required to
release an annual report card on their status. Check out the latest report card on your student’s school at: MS.
Home School Registration: The School Liaison Office would like to remind parents of the State of Mississippi law
governing school attendance as it pertains to families who Home School. Parents who are teaching their children at
home (home school) are required to complete a certificate of enrollment card each school year. Please contact the
School Liaison Officer at 434-2792 or via email at: slo@columbus.af.mil for any questions, or to make an appointment to
complete your registration, beginning 15 August 2012.
Children of Military Service Members Resource Guide: Check out this guide developed by the Defense Centers for
Excellence – lots of valuable information for those children impacted by deployment, etc. Go to: Guide

2. ACT/SAT Test Dates: Plan ahead… Check out the dates for the ACT and/or SAT soon! Go to: ACT SAT
Postsecondary Campus Security: The Campus Safety and Security Data Analysis Cutting Tool is provided by the Office
of Postsecondary Education of the U.S. Department of Education. This analysis tool was designed to provide rapid
customized reports for public inquiries relating to campus crime and fire data. The data are drawn from the OPE Campus
Safety and Security Statistics website database to which crime statistics and fire statistics (as of the 2010 data collection)
are submitted annually, via a web-based data collection, by all postsecondary institutions that receive Title IV funding
(i.e., those that participate in federal student aid programs). Check it out at: Crime.
DoDEA Online Preregistration: Defense Department officials have launched an online preregistration application that’s
intended to help parents get an early start on enrolling their children in DOD schools. Through the site, parents can
preregister their children in a DOD school from anywhere in the world, and even while on the move from one
installation to another. The site can be accessed at: DoDEA.
High School Senior Assignment Deferment (HSSAD) Program: The HSSAD is intended to decrease turbulence and
increase stability for military families with dependent children entering their senior year of high school. Only enlisted
(SMSgt and below) and officers (Lt Col and below) personnel stationed in the Continental United States (CONUS) may
submit their request for a HSSAD using the online application available on the virtual Military Personnel Flight (vMPF).
For additional info, contact the SLO.
Strengthening our Military Families: Check out the various reports/background and initiatives at: SLO
Mississippi Education Legislation: View the various State of Mississippi education legislation presented in the 2012
legislative session at: Education in MS.
International Baccalaureate: The International Baccalaureate® (IB) offers high quality programs of international
education to a worldwide community of schools. Columbus High School is one of four high schools in the state to offer
this rigorous program and they awarded their first IB diplomas in May. In addition, Sale Elementary International
Studies Magnet school is now an IB school, and initiatives are underway at the Columbus Middle School to sanction
them as an IB school, as well. Check out the IB program at: IB
Military Connected Students & Public School Attendance Policies: An in-depth report of attendance policies
throughout the nation at: MCEC
Parents… Get used to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid! Even if you are not seeking federal aid,
many/most colleges & universities require this document. Check it out at: FAFSA
Free on-line tutoring for military families is available at: Tutor. Contact the Base Library for your password!
You Made the Grade: The Base Exchange offers a valuable learning experience for students making the grade. The
current “You Made the Grade” booklet includes coupons for a free regular 6-inch combo meal from Subway and $2 off
any new release DVD. To receive the AAFES “You Made the Grade” booklet, students must present a valid military ID
card and proof of an overall “B” or better average to their local BX/PX. Military Families can contact the local AAFES
Store Manager for more information. For more info, go to: Grade.
Military Community & Family Policy Weekly eNewsletter: Provides access to the latest Quality of Life news and
information from the Department of Defense and dates. MC&FP
Check out the applicable District website for a myriad of information for your student; from school calendars, student
handbooks, etc. Lowndes County School District or Columbus Municipal School District.

3. For twenty three million students nationwide, the school day begins and ends with a trip on a school bus; and here
at Columbus Air Force Base, we have fewer than 200 students on any given day riding our school buses. As the
beginning of the school year approaches, please take the time to familiarize your student with the Rules of Conduct
for bus riders
The Student Handbook from each of our school districts contains specific guidance and a code of conduct students
are to follow. Bus transportation is a privilege extended only to students who display good conduct while preparing
to ride, riding or leaving the bus. Continued disorderly conduct or persistent refusal to submit to the authority of the
driver shall be sufficient reason for a student to be denied transportation. Improper conduct of family members which
occurs off the school bus will be addressed by installation officials.
Additionally, parents should exercise proper judgment when they observe or it is reported to them by their students,
whenever improper behavior has occurred on the bus or at the bus stops. Parents should: contact the parents of
the child (ren) involved, school authorities and/or the Columbus School Liaison Officer. Parents should not address
grievances directly to the other children involved, unless there is an immediate, life-threatening situation.
An overview of the proper Rules of Conduct is provided below. Take a moment to review it and convey the
contents to your children.
Any questions, please contact the School Liaison Officer, at 434-2792 or via email at: slo@columbus.af.mil
RULES OF CONDUCT
 Be orderly, quiet and considerate of people and their property in the vicinity of bus stops.
 Be ready when the bus arrives.
 Bus drivers have the authority to assign seats, give directions, and implement rules for the safe and orderly
conduct of students and will report any violations.
 Acceptable public behavior will be expected of all bus riders.
 Pass in front rather than behind the bus when crossing the street to or from a bus.
 Do not enter or leave the bus when it is in motion.
 Heads or arms must not be extended from bus windows.
 Avoid eating/drinking on the bus and help keep the bus neat.
 Shouting, fighting, offensive language, or smoking will result in loss of bus privileges.
 Remain seated until the bus stops at your destination.
 Students are required to have parental permission in writing of any changes in
regular transportation arrangements.
 Video technology is installed on all buses to assist with the security and safety of all.
 Students who violate the regulations can have their bus privileges revoked.
 Unauthorized persons are not permitted on the buses -- this includes parents.
 Parents should develop a plan in the event your student misses the bus or the bus fails to show, especially
in the case where parent(s) depart the home before the bus arrives.
 Parents who choose to wait with their children (in their vehicles) MUST park opposite of the school bus stop,
in order to allow for a direct, unimpeded route to the stop.