SLO Down Newsletter
NAVSTA ROTA / October 2020
National Hispanic Heritage Month
National Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated September 15 through October 15, in recognition of the achievements and contributions Hispanic Americans have left on the country. This year’s theme is “Hispanics: Be Proud of Your Past, Embrace the Future.”
In 1968, Congress authorized President Lyndon B. Johnson to issue an annual proclamation designating National Hispanic Heritage Week. Two decades later, lawmakers expanded it to a month long celebration.
The date of September 15 is significant because it is the anniversary of independence for Latin American countries Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. In addition, Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on September 16 and September 18, respectively.
October is National Bullying Prevention Month
National Bullying Prevention Month is a campaign in the United States founded in 2006 by PACER's National Bullying Prevention Center. The campaign is held during the month of October and unites communities nationwide to educate and raise awareness of bullying prevention.
Schools and organizations across the country join STOMP Out Bullying™ and PACER's National Bullying Prevention Center in observing National Bullying Prevention Month. The goal: encourage schools, communities and organizations to work together to stop bullying and cyberbullying and put an end to hatred and racism by increasing awareness of the prevalence and impact of all forms of bullying on all children of all ages.
Week of October 5 - Make friends with someone you don’t know at school. Take action and don't let anyone at school be in isolation.
Week of October 12 - Creating positive messages on post-its and post them at school.
Week of October 19 - At one point or another each of us has felt insecure, or stressed out, or alone. It is important to remind our friends and classmates that we are all in it together and we are there to listen and support each other. Use the hashtag #HereForYou on social media to let your classmates know that they have your support and a person to reach out to if they ever need to talk.
Wednesday, October 21, Unit Day - Unity Day, started by PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center in October 2011, is the signature event of National Bullying Prevention Month. This is a day when we can come together in one giant, ORANGE message of hope and support. The call to action is simple: wear and share the color orange. This vibrant statement becomes a conversation starter, showing support for students who have been bullied and for bullying prevention.
What Is Bullying
Bullying is unwanted, aggressive behavior among school aged children that involves a real or perceived power imbalance. The behavior is repeated, or has the potential to be repeated, over time. Both kids who are bullied and who bully others may have serious, lasting problems.
In order to be considered bullying, the behavior must be aggressive and include:
- An Imbalance of Power: Kids who bully use their power—such as physical strength, access to embarrassing information, or popularity—to control or harm others. Power imbalances can change over time and in different situations, even if they involve the same people.
- Repetition: Bullying behaviors happen more than once or have the potential to happen more than once.
Bullying includes actions such as making threats, spreading rumors, attacking someone physically or verbally, and excluding someone from a group on purpose.
Types of Bullying
There are three types of bullying:
- Verbal bullying is saying or writing mean things. Verbal bullying includes:
- Teasing
- Name-calling
- Inappropriate sexual comments
- Taunting
- Threatening to cause harm
- Social bullying, sometimes referred to as relational bullying, involves hurting someone’s reputation or relationships. Social bullying includes:
- Leaving someone out on purpose
- Telling other children not to be friends with someone
- Spreading rumors about someone
- Embarrassing someone in public
- Physical bullying involves hurting a person’s body or possessions. Physical bullying includes:
- Hitting/kicking/pinching
- Spitting
- Tripping/pushing
- Taking or breaking someone’s things
- Making mean or rude hand gestures
Where and When Bullying Happens
Bullying can occur during or after school hours. While most reported bullying happens in the school building, a significant percentage also happens in places like on the playground or the bus. It can also happen traveling to or from school, in the youth’s neighborhood, or on the Internet.
Military Connected Youth and Bullying
According to the U.S. Department of Defense, in 2017 there were 1.6 million children and youth with parents who serve in the active duty military, National Guard, and Reserve forces. Military-connected children and youth face unique challenges that may impact their risk for bullying. For example, they can experience stressors related to the demands of military life and parental deployment – like changes in family roles and responsibilities, increased responsibility at home, parental separation, financial stress, worry over a deployed parent’s safety, and secondary post-traumatic war trauma. A study showed that two or more parental deployments was a predictor for depressive symptoms and suicide ideation with youth in military families. In general, students who are anxious, depressed, and socially isolated are at greater risk for being bullied.
Frequent Moves and Challenges with Connectedness
Many military families move frequently due to changes in assignments. In addition to the stresses of moving, they may experience changes in their family roles and responsibilities due to deployment. According to an article on educational options and performance of military-connected school districts, the average military children and youth will experience nine school transitions during grades K-12. Frequent moves can impact student’s academics and connectedness to peers, relationships with other adult role models like teachers and staff, and engagement in their community and activities. In addition to settling into a new home, they have to adjust to different school environments, policies, peers, and teachers, as well as unfamiliar community settings and cultures. It may be difficult for them to adapt to another unfamiliar environment and form connections, while also feeling the loss of the home and community they left behind. Connectedness with caring, pro-social adults and activities can help prevent bullying and other forms of youth violence.
A Deployed Parent
Anxiety and stress are factors that may increase the risk of bullying. Another study showed significant increases in stress for children and youth whose parent was or is deployed. A child can feel worried, anxious, and vulnerable. Adolescents and older teens may experience even greater stress than their younger siblings because they often take on more responsibilities at home and have a greater awareness of the potential dangers of deployment. Their deployed parent may be facing combat, danger, injury, and sometimes death. In some cases, deployed parents may not be able to maintain regular communication with their family and this can create additional strain for everyone. Children and youth need extra support while their parent is deployed. Sometimes that support can come from the deployed parent through phone calls, emails, and video calls. Other supports can help to fill the gap. Caring adults like teachers, neighbors, faith-based leaders, mentors, coaches, and counselors can provide support and encouragement. They can provide regular check-ins and specifically ask about friendships to help reveal isolation or situations of bullying. Counselors can provide tools and referrals for stress management like support groups, counseling, apps, and military-specific resources. They can also strategize how to prevent or address bullying.
Creating a Military-Friendly School
Some military-connected youth attend schools on base, but many attend schools off-base, including those with parents in active-duty or the National Guard or Reserves. A caring and supportive school climate can help protect military connected youth from bullying and have positive effects on their wellbeing. The first few months of entering a new school and a community are an important time for students. Teachers and other school staff need to be aware of the unique stressors and challenges that military connected youth face so that prevention supports can be in place. They can:
- Create mentor relationships for new students or utilize student leaders to connect new students to school activities and groups.
- Provide emotional support and encouragement to military connected youth to help them become involved and connected in their new school and community. This includes counselors, mentors, school resource officers, and faith-based leaders.
- Encourage the parent-teacher organization and parent volunteers to welcome new military families to the school and connect them to the school community and activities.
- Have school counselors or social workers meet with military connected parents when they first arrive to learn about their specific challenges and help them access school, community, and military resources to address them.
- Conduct school-based activities that promote belonging like assemblies, clubs, group projects, and extracurricular activities where peer connections happen.
- Implement evidence-based bullying prevention and intervention strategies rooted in school policy, so everyone understands what bullying is and how it will be handled.
- Identify symptoms of stress in military youth and work with parents to share school, community, and military support services.
- Work with parents to connect military youth to military programs for families and youth.
Resources for Military Connected Families and Educators
- CDC’s A Comprehensive Technical Package for the Prevention of Youth Violence and Associated Risk Behaviors provides strategies for state and community activities to prevent youth violence and its consequences.
- Military One Source provides information related to caring for military connected youth:
- Military Kids Connect provides information for military connected youth and adults who work with or care about them.
** https://www.stopbullying.gov/bullying/military-connected-youth-and-bullying
10 Podcasts About Math for K-12 Students | Kidcasts
What is your favorite number? This simple question on a Radiolab for Kids podcast got people from all over the world talking. In “For the Love of Numbers,” hosts Jad Abumrad and Robert Krulwich explore our deep and emotional connections to math. In part, these feelings reveal what studies have shown: Kids who talk about math do better at it. A recent Education Week article noted, “Research suggests that when students talk more about their math thinking, they are more motivated to learn, and they learn more.”
In these 10 podcasts, kids talk about math concepts; hosts introduce great mathematicians, mathematicians talk about math; and there’s a fair dose of silly, playful math talk. From women mathematicians Katherine Johnson and Ada Lovelace to the concept that math is a reality “woven into the universe,” laying bare the patterns of our world, there is a lot to talk about when talking about math. Access the Play List Here: https://www.slj.com/?detailStory=10-podcasts-math-students-kidcasts-librarians.
* Navy endorsement is not implied
Military Child Education Coalition
October Workshops include:
FAFSA/CSS Profile -
- Tuesday, October 6 @ 6:00 p.m. CET
- Thursday, October 8 @ 7:00 p.m. CET
Virtual Parent Teacher Conference - Tuesday, October 13 @ 6:00 p.m. CET
Communication 360 - Tuesday, October 13 @ 7:00 p.m. CET
College Changes Due to Covid-19 -
- Tuesday, October 20 @ 6:00 p.m. CET
- Thursday, October 22 @ 7:00 p.m. CET
College Portfolio -
- Tuesday, October 20 @ 7:00 p.m. CET
- Thursday, October 22 @ 8:00 p.m. CET
Register here: https://mailchi.mp/militarychild/parentworkshops1020
4-H at HOME
Hundreds of educational activities for kids in topics like #STEM, healthy living and crafting, including step-by-step videos, activity guides, and more! Check out the link: https://bit.ly/3hQSPWK
Federal Student Aid
International College Fair - Western Europe
We invite you to join the CIS International University Fair | Western Europe on October 5, 2020!
This is a free interactive virtual college fair designed for secondary school students who aspire to study internationally.
Meet with admissions representatives from accredited universities who wish to support you with your transition to university.
Date: 5 October 2020
Times: 09:00-12:00 & 18:00-20:00 CEST (Central European Summer Time)
Location: Virtual
Each university will populate a virtual booth for the event. You will be able to log in during the week leading up to the fair and start your research of the universities taking part by visiting their virtual booths so that you can determine which universities you want to talk to during the live fair times.
During the live event, each booth will have a chat widget allowing students to text chat with university representatives.
For more information about the programs at our university visit https://www.jacobs-university.de/study/undergraduate
Please register for the event here: https://cis.swoogo.com/western-europe
We’re looking forward to meeting you online!
Attend a Virtual College Fair (FREE)
Don't miss it! 600+ colleges will be online to talk with students at virtualcollegefairs.org on Sept 13, Oct 12, Oct 18, Nov 8. Register now! #nacacfairs
* Navy endorsement is not implied
Virtually Orange - The Online Dutch University Festival
November 8th: Virtually Orange Connect with more than 20 Dutch universities during the biggest, undergraduate only, “Study in Holland” event this Fall.
There will be two “Study in Holland” information sessions (one in each time frame) to learn more about studying in the Netherlands and ask general questions. The 20+ universities will be available via live chat for students, parents and counselors.
It is all happening on Sunday November 8, 11.00-14.00 CET and 18.00-21.00 CET!
Registration will be available soon, watch this space where we will update you soon!
DGF Elementary & MHS Office Hours
o Rota DGF Elementary
* Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.; Call Ahead for an Appointment DSN 727-4185 or CIV +34-956-82-4185.
o Rota DGF Middle High School
* Please email or call ahead to schedule a registration appointment. Email:
RotaHS.Registrar@eu.dodea.edu or call: DSN 727-4444 / 4181 /4183 or CIV +34-956-82-XXXX
Calendar Updates and DGF School Calendars
Monday (10/5)
- DGF ES School Advisory Committee meeting @ 3:15 (Virtual)
Wednesday (10/7)
- DGF MHS School Advisory Committee meeting @ 3:00 (Virtual)
Monday (10/12)
- Columbus Day Holiday (Schools and Child & Youth Programs Closed)
Thursday (10/22)
- End of the 1st Quarter
Friday (10/23)
- Teacher Work Day No School DGF Complex
Monday (10/26)
- Begin 2nd Quarter
Tuesday (10/27)
- Teacher Training Day (Early Release) Middle High School Only
Wednesday (10/28)
- Parent & Teacher Conferences (No School) Elementary School Only
Thursday (10/29)
- Staff Training Day (No School) Elementary School Only
Friday (10/30)
- Parent & Teacher Conferences - (No School) Middle High School Only
Tutoring Resources
Tutor.com
1. Go to: https://military.tutor.com/home
2. Review eligibility requirements
3. If eligible, create or sign into your free Tutor.com account
4. Click on "Connect with a Tutor"
5. Courses include: math PreK - College, sciences, English, English Language Learners, Social Studies, Social Sciences, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Business, Computer Literacy, Test Prep, Nursing/Allied Health, Study Skills, Life Skills and More
6. Bilingual Spanish-speaking tutors are available for some math, science and social studies subjects
Khan Academy
1. Go to: https://www.khanacademy.org/
2. Click on Learner to open an account
3. Courses include: math PreK - HS, college level math, test prep, science, computing, arts & humanities, economics, reading, language arts and life skills
* Navy endorsement is not implied
The Fascinating History of Halloween And How the Fall Holiday Originated
Americans love Halloween: the candy, the costumes, and the creepy decor. But as beloved as the holiday is in the states, it didn't originate here. In fact, the history of Halloween dates back thousands of years to the Celtic celebration of Samhain, a festival that marked the end of the harvest and the start of a new year. The day was also said to be a time when the veil between the living and the dead was the thinnest, and when humans could communicate with those beyond the grave.
This year, before you go trick-or-treating or put on your trusty witch costume, take some time to learn more about the dark history of Halloween. It turns out, the holiday is much more interesting (and eerier!) than you thought. Travel back in time with us (and we mean way back) to learn what some of the very first ghostly celebrations of Halloween looked like. We can guarantee they didn't include glitter pumpkins or superhero costumes. When you're done, load up on even more Halloween trivia.
Halloween's Celtic Origins
Most scholars agree that Halloween as we know it started some 2,000 years ago when Celtic people in Europe celebrated the end of the harvest and the start of a new year in a festival called Samhain (pronounced "sow-win"). It was also a time of communing with otherworldly spirits, with big bonfires lit in honor of the dead, according to The American Folklife Center.
Halloween's Dark Spiritual History
In addition to honoring the dead, the Celts also believed that the spiritual presence on Samhain made it easier for Celtic priests to predict the future, according to History. They'd build bonfires and burn crops and animals as sacrifices to the Celtic gods. Villagers would attend the bonfire wearing costumes of animal heads and skins.
A Batty Association
Nowadays, many of us associate bats with Halloween — and the same was probably true centuries ago too. When the Celts lit bonfires, the bonfires would attract bugs, and the bugs would attract bats. In later years, various folklore emerged citing bats as harbingers of death or doom. For example, Nova Scotian mythology notes that if a bat settles in a house, a man in the family will die; if it flies around, a woman in the family will perish.
Christian Influence
Fast forward a few centuries, and even more changes arrive. Several Christian popes attempted to replace "pagan" holidays like Samhain with events of their own design. By 1000 A.D., All Souls' Day on November 2 served as a time for the living to pray for the souls of the dead. All Saints' Day, assigned to November 1, obviously honored saints but it was also called All Hallows. That made October 31 All Hallows Eve, and later Halloween.
Colonial Festivities
The the first similar celebrations in America predominantly arose in the southern colonies, according to History. People would celebrate the harvest, swap ghost stories, and even tell each other's fortunes. However, those early fall festivals were known as "play parties" — not Halloween.
Americanizing Halloween
By the end of the 1800s, more communities pushed for a secular (and safer) set of rituals. People started holding Halloween parties that emphasized games, fall food, and costumes over witchcraft and troublemaking.
What We Know Today
Trick-or-treating skyrocketed in popularity by the 1950s, when Halloween became a true national event. Today, over 179 million Americans celebrate the holiday — and spend about $9.1 billion on it per year, according to the National Retail Federation.
Is Halloween a Holiday?
Americans love Halloween wholeheartedly, but the day isn't an official holiday. Despite all of the festivities that happen in the evening, Halloween is a working day and most businesses and banks follow their regular hours.
Did You Know????
Are your children having a hard time typing? Mac OS:Press the fn button twice and it will allow talk to text.
Windows: Press the windows button and H. You do need to make your mic is accessible. In your settings.
This also works in seesaw.
SY 20-21 Free & Reduced Meal (FARM) Applications
Completed applications can be emailed to SLORota@eu.navy.mil for processing. A current LES from working family members must accompany completed applications.
Exceptional Family Member Program App
Preschool Services for Children with Disabilities
Child Find for children three to five years of age is an ongoing outreach program that locates and identifies children who may have developmental delays or educational disabilities and need special services. If you have concerns regarding your child's development please contact 727- 4185 or 727-4435.
SCHOOL REGISTRATION
DoDEA Online Registration for Students (DORS)
The DoDEA Online Registration for Students (DORS) is currently available for families registering in schools serviced by Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA). DORS reduces manual forms and makes it easy for parents to register their child for school.
For complete information about the registration process, including eligibility and enrollment please go to https://www.dodea.edu/registration-process.cfm
NEW STUDENTS
- click here https://dodea-registration.hosted.src-solutions.com/
New students registering for enrollment are required to provide verification of the following:
- Date of Birth
- Dependent Status
- Active Duty Status of Military Sponsor or Employment Status of Civilian Sponsor
- Status of Defense Contractor Sponsor and Central Billing Letter
- Status of non-DoD sponsor (other Federal Agencies)
Spanish School Registration
School Liaison Office
School Liaison Officer – Areas of Support
1. Communication Connections
2. PCSing Support
3. Deployment Support
4. Special Needs Support
5. Home School Support
6. Volunteer Coordination / Partners In Education (PIE)
7. Post-Secondary Preparations
Email: SLORota@eu.navy.mil
Website: https://www.navymwrrota.com/programs/a8fe4fcd-189f-4539-995d-596b3922fbb8
Location: NAVSTA Rota, Building 41
Phone: +34-956-82-2425
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RotaMWR/