SOLDIER & FAMILY TOOLKIT 1/34 ARMORED BRIGADE COMBAT TEAM Volume 29, August 2015
12 Back to School Tips Page 6
Military Youth Adventures Page 9
MN Vikings Appreciation Offer Page 10
Back to School 1
IN THIS ISSUE 3 BEYOND THE YELLOW RIBBON EVENTS & DEALS 5 MILITARY ONESOURCE ARTICLE
6 BACK TO SCHOOL TIPS 8 GET ACTIVE 9 MILITARY YOUTH ADVENTURES 10 MN VIKINGS
APPRECIATION OFFER 11 BLUE STAR MUSUEMS 13 RESOURCES 14 FAC The intent of this toolkit is to provide you with available events, deals, resources, and important information. Please take a few minutes to glance at these resources and visit a few sites!
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The intent of this toolkit is to provide you with available events, deals, resources, and important information. Please take a few minutes to glance at these resources and visit a few sites!
HOME FRONT EVENTS & DEALS www.BeyondTheYellowRibbon.org Check out the Beyond the Yellow Ribbon website and sign up for exclusive email updates on monthly local Beyond the Yellow Ribbon events and deals. Forklift Operator Safety Training When: Aug. 4, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Where: Toyota Lift of Minnesota, Brooklyn Park About: Toyota's dealer network is offering free forklift operator training to veterans. The next class is on August 4 at Toyota Lift of Minnesota. More Info: Flyer Caribou Coffee Job Fair When: Aug. 4, 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Where: Embassy Suites, Brooklyn Center About: Caribou Coffee and Einstein Bagels will be conducting on-site interviews for a new store opening in 2015. More Info: Flyer Stand Down for Veterans When: Aug. 4 and Aug. 5, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Where: Fort Snelling About: Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans (MACV) invites you to participate in a Stand Down for Veterans. This event will offer many free services to include meals, VA benefits, clothing, housing, and much more. More Info: Flyer Goodwill Job Fair When: Aug. 5, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Where: St. Cloud Goodwill, Waite Park About: Apply online before attending the Goodwill Job Fair in Waite Park. Job opportunities include cashiers, retail floor associates, backroom production donation receiving, and managerial positions. More Info: Flyer Veteran's Lake When: Aug. 5, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Where: Veteran's Lake, Ramsey About: Disabled American veterans are invited to enjoy a relaxing day on the lake. Lunch, fishing, entertainment, and all equipment will be provide More Info: Flyer Inaugural Veteran's Family Picnic When: Aug. 8, 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Where: Lake George, St. Cloud About: The Student Veteran's Organization at St. Cloud State University is hosting an Inaugural Veteran's Family Picnic with free food for Servicemembers and veterans. More Info: Flyer
Dine for a Cause When: Aug. 8, 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Where: American Legion, Mound About: Come see Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient, Clint Romesha, speak at Dine for a Cause. This event will be hosted by the American Legion Post 398 and all proceeds will go toward a reunion for 3-61 Cav B TRP and Latvian Soldiers. More Info: Flyer Duluth Elks & American Legion Post 28 - Benefit for Veterans When: Aug. 15, 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Where: Duluth Elks Lodge #133 About: Duluth Elks & American Legion Post 28 are hosting a benefit for veterans with live music by Boydz Revival and Gina Lee. More Info: Flyer Bataan Memorial Death March When: Aug. 15, 2015 Opening ceremony: 8 a.m. March begins at 9 a.m. Where: Brainerd Training & Community Center About: Everyone is invited to walk or run in the Bataan Memorial Death March. This event will begin with an opening ceremony commemorating the heroes of Bataan, especially to honor Brainerd's own Minnesota Army National Guard. More Info: Flyer Military Appreciation Night - MN Vikings vs Buccaneers When: Aug. 15, 7 p.m. Where: University of Minnesota, Minneapolis About: The Minnesota Vikings would like to show their appreciation to Servicemembers with a free Minnesota Vikings ticket with the purchase of an additional discounted ticket. More Info: Flyer Swing For Our Service Members When: Aug. 20, 2015 Where: Oak Glen Golf Course, Stillwater About: APi Distribution is hosting their first charity golf tournament and all proceeds will go to the Wounded Warrior Project. Following the golf tournament, dinner will be provided along
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HOME FRONT EVENTS & DEALS www.BeyondTheYellowRibbon.org Check out the Beyond the Yellow Ribbon website and sign up for exclusive email updates on monthly local Beyond the Yellow Ribbon events and deals. Stand Down for Veterans When: Aug. 20, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Where: Backus Community Center, International Falls About: Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans (MACV) is hosting a Stand Down for Veterans. This event will offer many free services to include meals, VA benefits, clothing, housing, and much more. More Info: Flyer Southern Minnesota Veteran's Appreciation Event When: Aug. 20-23, 2015 Where: Watonwan County Fairgrounds, St. James About: Get out and enjoy a fun-filled day at the Watonwan County Fairgrounds. Sign up for the Red, White, and Blue Fun Run 5K or relax and enjoy local music, the Jim Lawrence Orchestra and a concert by National Recording Artist, Rockie Lynne. More Info: Flyer Stand Down for Veterans When: Aug. 21, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Where: Duluth Entertainment Convention Center About: Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans (MACV) is hosting a Stand Down for Veterans. This event will offer many free services to include meals, VA benefits, clothing, housing, and much more. More Info: Flyer Military Appreciation Night - MN Vikings vs Raiders When: Aug. 22, 7 p.m. Where: University of Minnesota, Minneapolis About: The Minnesota Vikings would like to show their appreciation to Servicemembers with a free Minnesota Vikings ticket with the purchase of an additional ticket. More Info: Flyer 1-125 FA Reunion When: Aug. 22, 2 p.m. Where: Entertainment Building, Watonwan County Fairgrounds About: Spread the word to anyone who has served with the 1-125 FA that there will be a reunion at the Watonwan County Fairgrounds Beer Garden in St. James. More Info: Flyer
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Free Drop-In Legal Clinic for Veterans When: Aug. 25, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Where: Anoka County Government Center About: The Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans (MACV) is hosting a free drop-in legal clinic for veterans. Attorneys, MACV staff, County Veterans Service Officers, and child support officers will be available throughout the day to assist veterans with questions, legal forms, and counsel. More Info: Flyer Build Your Own Burger Night When: Aug. 26, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Where: Hugo American Legion About: The Hugo Beyond the Yellow Ribbon Network, with help from the Blue Star Mothers of America, is hosting a hamburger night at the Hugo American Legion. More Info: Flyer Woman's Equality Day When: Aug. 26, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Where: New auditorium located at Ed Center, Camp Ripley About: Servicemembers and community members are invited to a celebration and recognition of important females, with guest speaker CPT (Ret) Trista Matacastillo, at Woman's Equality Day. More Info: Flyer Gold Star Family Weekend When: Aug. 28-30, 2015 Where: Camp Ripley, Little Falls About: Gold Star families are invited to the Gold Star Family Weekend to share the memories of their fallen loved one with others who have been there. Lodging and campsites will be provided. More Info: Flyer Register Online
MILITARY ONESOURCE ARTICLE Make Back-to-School Season Easier With Patience and Planning
For many students, a new school year is just around the corner, and with it comes return of an organized academic schedule. Here are some tips on how to re-establish routines that may have been lost over the summer without the structure of a school day.
Plan daily activities. Help your child plan for the day ahead. Let him or her pick out clothes for the next day, plan and pack lunches, and make a schedule of the day's activities.
Re-establish bedtime and mealtime routines. During the summer, your child may have had the freedom to go to bed a little later and have meals anytime during the day. Explain to your children that a consistent bedtime and mealtime will help them feel better and make it easier to balance homework and other school activities.
Encourage activities that inspire learning. One of the easiest ways to get your child focused on school again is to introduce activities that will help him or her learn. Limit technology time and encourage your child to read, do puzzles or complete an art project to reinforce a learning mindset.
Take a school visit and discuss the first day. If school has not started in your location, help your child get more comfortable in his or her environment with a visit to school before the first day. Together, you can find your child's classroom, meet teachers, and locate key areas, such as the lunch room or a hall locker. A familiar environment can help children be less apprehensive about their first day.
Emphasize the positive things about going back to school. A new school year is a chance to reconnect with old friends and get involved with sports and other activities. For students attending a school for the first time, it's an opportunity to meet new people and try different things. If your child seems nervous, listen to those concerns and address them in a constructive way.
For children with special needs, it's also important to make sure you have an updated version of your child's individualized education plan. The IEP should include accurate reflections of your child's needs and abilities with positive, strength-based objectives. You may also consider ideas such as a meet-and-greet page that highlights your child's abilities. Let your child contribute as much as possible with information on his or her strengths and motivational tools to help get through the day. A new school year is the perfect opportunity to create healthy routines for your family and set your child on the path for success all year long. 5
12 Back to School Tips Nothing is quite as thrilling — or challenging — as the beginning of a new school year. While your kids might be worried or excited about new friends and new teachers, mums end up stuck with the tasks of keeping organized, creating solid routines and supporting children to be their best. Here are Kidspot's back-to-school tips on everything from morning strategies, homework helpers, lunch box solutions and easy organization tips that will end up moving mum to the head of the class. Back to school tip #1: Keep lunch boxes easy While we all want to love and nurture our children by packing the best and most exciting lunch box possible, we also need to balance our aspirations against reality. Making sure morning routines are achievable and easy is the key to a successful lunch box, not the fanciness of your pinwheel sandwiches. It takes some time to find the right snack ideas the kids will love and you will find easy to prepare while there are other priorities to attend to. Back to school tip #2: Create a laundry routine that works
Washing. Oh so much laundry, washing and ironing to do. School brings new laundry management routines to stop dirty clothes baskets exploding before you get the chance to wash all those stained uniforms and dirty socks. Back to school tip #3: Make mornings organized Trying to get out the door on time when a school bell or a work commitment beckons makes for a stressful time before 9am. Clever mums know that a morning routine that works is the key to starting the day happy, prepared and ready to leave the house with a smile. Back to school tip #4: House work during term time should be eased A busy school year means less time washing the floors and tidying so you can spend time where it really counts. That might mean making extra minutes for homework help, reading the reader or sorting out the sports gear. Back to school tip #5: Keep time Whether you're trying to speed your kids up (to get them out the door, say) or slow them down (as they practice reading),
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clocks become a useful device once the kids reach school age. Explaining time, routines and showing the children how to read the time for themselves will give your kids the power to keep themselves organised (without nagging from you). Back to school tip #6: Ready, set breakfast A healthy nutritious breakfast not only puts kids in the right mood for learning, but blesses mothers with a righteous feeling of success that they managed to have their children eat well at the right time of day. Kids as young as four or five can get a bowl of cold cereal for themselves, and as they get older they can learn to safely use the toaster or microwave. Back to school tip #7: Problems are a learning experience Term time at school isn't always perfect and our children don't always behave like angels or the genius we had hoped they would be. School rules, expectations and social pressures can be too much for our kids and it's not uncommon for problems to rear their head once children settle in to the school year. It can be anything from bullies to learning problems to physical problems that come up and unsettle us - be ready to embrace them! Back to school tip #8: You are the best teacher Learning always starts at home and your child's mood affects how well he learns. A positive outlook is the best thing you can inspire in your children to keep them performing well at school and willing to tackle their homework. Back to school tip #9: Labels, names and ownership Label all your child’s belongings including the library bag and especially the school hat. Encourage your child to dress themselves so they can manage things like taking jumpers or coats on and off at school. Explain the concept of "lost property" to your kids, so they know how to find lost items on their own. Then cross your fingers and hope they have listened to you! Back to school tip #10: Rules and behavior Schools have a range of approaches to reinforce the good behavior measures taught by parents - so learn what they are and make sure you can back them up at home! For students in the early years the focus will be on learning to work cooperatively with others and to follow instructions from the teacher. It's a mother's job to remind and reinforce the school rules at home so kids understand why certain actions are unacceptable . Back to school tip #11: Keep your head around lice Head lice and nits are a fact of school life, and you will be lucky if you manage to avoid them. If an outbreak of head lice does occur at school it can be annoying but not harmful to your child’s health. However, to avoid an outbreak across a class of students, schools will request parents to remove and treat children with evidence of head lice. Back to school tip #12: Remember the night before Murphy's law states that if something can go wrong, it will. Avoid the stresses of the first morning of school by laying out clothes (including underwear, socks and shoes) the night before. Have a bottle of sunscreen nearby to apply in the morning. Pack the school bag and include a spare pair of underpants and socks in a plastic bag in case of any toilet accidents. Ensure your camera is ready to take first day of school photos, that the batteries are charged and that it's stocked with fresh film or an SD card. Charge up your mobile phone in case the camera fails!
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Get Active It's back to school time again and educators, parents and kids are focused on making this year as successful as possible. Did you know that teens who receive mostly As are almost twice as likely to get the CDC recommended daily 60 minutes of physical activity than teens who receive mostly Ds and Fs? Kids who perform better in school are more likely to be physically active on a regular basis. Adding physical activity to the school day can not only keep kids healthy, but also increase attention, behavior and positive attitudes leading to improved academic performance. How can you help your kids get their daily 60 minutes? Encourage the physical activities they currently take part in, suggest new physical activities with a social component and set a good example by being physically active yourself! Here's to a happy and healthy school year.
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MILITARY YOUTH
Grin and Bear It Family Zoo Adventure
Shark Alert Family Zoo Adventure
August 8, 2015
September 19, 2015
Go behind the scenes! In the middle of the hot summer, some North Woods residents are still walking around in fur coats. Come and learn all about what black bears and grizzly bears are doing in the active months of summer. You’ll see the bears, get a behind-the-scenes tour of their kitchen, and meet one of the zookeepers who works with and trains the bears. You’ll also create a craft that our bears would love to smell! When you leave, you just might find that
Go behind the scenes! Celebrate your own kind of Shark Week by meeting some real sharks at the Zoo. An aquarist will give you a behind-the -scenes look at the Shark Reef and talk about how they care for their sharks, one of the most misunderstood predators of the ocean. Exactly how good is a shark’s nose? How much do they eat every week? What do they get fed at the Zoo? Get answers to your questions during fun tours, activities, and a “sharky” craft.
These classes are especially designed for young people (ages 4–9) and their favorite adult. The activities, excursions, crafts and games will make learning fun for young and old alike. The whole Zoo is the classroom and visits to “behindthe-scenes” areas with zookeepers and trainers will make each class special. Ages: 4-9 and their favorite adult Time: 1:00-3:00 pm Cost: Parents/Adults pay $18.50 (Call Kristie Nord at 952.431.9390 to pay) Register: You and your Child at https://www.jointservicessupport.org/ Events/EventRegistrationRequest.aspx?Id=15c0bb6b-ec90-4ddd-a6e44149a743a901 Choose from the pull down menu which class you would like to attend! 9
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Frequently Asked Questions What is Blue Star Museums? Blue Star Museums is a collaboration among the National Endowment for the Arts, Blue Star Families, the Department of Defense, and more than 2,000 museums across America to offer free admission to the nation’s active duty military personnel including National Guard and Reserve and their families from Memorial Day, May 25, through Labor Day, September 7, 2015. Which museums are participating? More than 2,000 (and counting) museums in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and American Samoa are participating in Blue Star Museums. These include children's museums, fine art museums, history and science museums, and nature centers. Who is eligible for free museum admission through Blue Star Museums? The free admission program is available to any bearer of a Geneva Convention common access card (CAC), a DD Form 1173 ID card (dependent ID), or a DD Form 1173-1 ID card, which includes active duty U.S. military - Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, as well as members of the National Guard and Reserve, U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, NOAA Commissioned Corps - and up to five family members. How many military personnel and/or family members are allowed in for free per visit? The military ID holder plus up to five family members. The military ID holder can either be active duty service member or other dependent family member with the appropriate ID card. The active duty member does not have to be present for family members to use the program. How do you define a family member? A family member of active duty military may include a spouse or child, aunts, uncles, grandparents, etc. What if my spouse is deployed? Can my family and I still participate? Yes, spouses of deployed military are eligible for Blue Star Museums. Just bring your DD Form 1173 ID Card, or DD Form 1173-1 ID Card, for active duty military family members. What if my spouse is not deployed, but cannot come to the museum with the family. Can my family and I still participate? Yes, your family can still participate, as the active duty member does not have to be present to use the program. Just bring your DD Form 1173 ID Card, or DD Form 1173-1 ID Card, for active duty military family members. How many military personnel and/or family members are allowed in for free per visit? The military ID holder plus up to five family members. What if my child is under the age of 10 and doesn't yet have a military ID? Children under the age of 10 without military ID are welcome to attend with their parents who either hold a Geneva Convention Common Access Card (CAC), a DD Form 1173 ID Card, or a DD Form 1173-1 ID Card. Does the Blue Star Museums program include admission for veterans and retirees? For unmarried partners? For parents with a child currently serving on active duty, or for those who have lost a child on active duty? Admission for these individuals is not included in the scope of this program, unless they are the bearer of a Geneva Convention Common Access Card (CAC), a DD Form 1173 ID Card, or a DD Form 11731 ID card. Blue Star Museums is an effort to improve the quality of life for active duty military families, especially focusing on the approximately 1 million children who have had at least one parent deployed. Blue Star Museums was created to show support for military families who have faced multiple deployments and the challenges of reintegration. This program offers these families a chance to visit museums this summer when many will have limited resources and limited time to be together. Will I receive free entry to special, fee-based exhibits? Some special or limited-time museum exhibits may not be included in this free admission program. For questions on particular exhibits or museums, please contact the museum directly. Is there a limit on the number of Blue Star Museums I can visit this summer? No, there is no limit on the number of participating museums that eligible parties can visit. If a museum already offers free admission, can it still participate in Blue Star Museums? Museums with free admission are also welcome to join the Blue Star Museums list on the NEA website. Blue Star Museums is a collaboration among the National Endowment for the Arts, Blue Star Families, the Department of Defense, and more than 2,000 museums across America. Blue Star Families is a national, nonprofit network of military families from all ranks and services, including guard and reserve, dedicated to supporting, connecting and empowering military families. The effort to recruit museums has involved partnerships with the American Alliance of Museums, the Association of Art Museum Directors, the Association of Children’s Museums, the American Association of State and Local History, and the Association of Science-Technology Centers.
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ARMY / NATIONAL GUARD minnesotanationalguard.com armyonesource.com militaryonesource.mil
RESOURCE LINKS
CHILDREN ADAPT: cehd.umn.edu/fsos/adapt operationwearehere.com mnchildcare.org ausa.org/family mdva.state.mn.us/child guardfamilyyouth.org militarykids.org DISCOUNTS beyondtheyellowribbon.org military.com/discounts/category EDUCATION education4military.com gibill.va.gov militaryonesource.mil militarychild.org EMPLOYMENT esgr.org mn.gov/deed FMLA: dol.gov/whd/fmla HEALTH / MENTAL HEALTH tricare.mil militarymentalhealth.org Counseling 24/7: militaryonesource.mil
MARRIAGE AND RELATIONSHIPS Marriage Retreats: strongbonds.org militaryonesource.mil PARENTS OF SOLDIERS bluestarmoms.org operationwearehere.com/Parents.html PET CARE dogsondeployment.org netpets.org guardianangelsforsoldierspet.org SPOUSES & SIGNIFICANT OTHERS militarysos.com spousebuzz.com milspouse.com msccn.org nationalmilitaryspousenetwork.org STRESS MANAGEMENT militaryonesource.mil defense.gov/specials/stressawareness
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