IBCS Family Newsletter

This week our employees of the year were honored at a district event. Leanne Fernandez, our amazing 2nd grade teacher who constantly works to ensure our students meet her rigorous expectations, and with a kind and loving approach. We also celebrated Monica Santos, the admin secretary who supports our entire campus with compassion and patience. We also had our bimonthly Food Bank event here where this time we ran out of food since we had a great community turnout!

• February 25, 2025: Picture Day!
• February 25, 2025: Incoming 7th Grader Information Night @ 5p.m. in Burress
• February 26, 2025: SSC *rescheduled* @ 3:15 p.m.
• February 28, 2025: PTA Glow Dance! @ 6p.m.
• March 1, 2025: Registration for the 25-26 School Year Begins!

We have been awarded the designation of a Purple Star School by the California Department of Education! I applied for this designation in October since we are a school that has a significant number of military students and families with services that are intended to support them with their transitions and to uplift them on campus so they feel like they belong. We work hard to ensure that they are set up for success.

The Purple Star Award, handed out by the California Department of Education, recognizes the important role schools play in supporting our military-connected students and their families.

There has been an increase in cases of the flu, pneumonia, and other illnesses this season. Please stay safe and healthy. Here are some guidelines to follow this flu season:

Order your TK-6th yearbook today at https://ybpay.lifetouch.com/Order

Enter in the school code: 15033725

Deadline to order your yearbooks for this year is April 18, 2025. They are $25

*IB Middle School Yearbooks are through Ms. Gibbs*

We continue to support our students and community with events that welcome all.

• We have the Food Bank here every other Thursday where we feed over 200+ families and community members.
• Our IBCS students are practicing their singing skills to take them to the local nursing home and will perform for them in March
• We had a Books & looks event where we handed out free books and clothing to families and students who wanted them
• Our teachers are doing professional development on community based learning to provide students the opportunity to learn how to solve community issues.

MILTAX: FREE SOFTWARE AND SUPPORT

Military taxes can be tricky. Get free e-filing tax software and one-on-one help from military tax experts. Eligible service members and spouses can file federal and up to three state tax returns and get expert tax support — all at no cost.

Info: https://www.militaryonesource.mil/financial-legal/taxes/miltax-military-tax-services/

CAMP CORRAL FREE SUMMER CAMP OPPORTUNITY FOR MILITARY KIDS - REGISTRATION NOW OPEN

Over the last 13 years, Camp Corral has served more than 30,000 military-connected children from across the country. Their one-of-a-kind program is tailored to address the most common needs and concerns of military children to include finding peer connections, creating support systems, building confidence, and learning coping skills. Children who participate in their programs experience adventure, test their limits, challenge their fears, celebrate their accomplishments, and make life affirming friendships that assure them they are not alone. Camp Corral is open to children ages 8-15 who have a guardian that is a wounded, ill or injured military/veteran. This is a one-week summer camp that is NO COST to the families.

Info: www.campcorral.org

SAN DIEGO MUSEUM MONTH

February 2025

Get ready for a month of savings at museums, zoos, aquariums, historic sites, and more! Pick up your free museum pass to get 50% off admission for up to four people at participating sites. Get your pass at a library near you or online and visit as many places as you can during the month of February.

Download a Digital Pass: https://sandiegomuseumcouncil.org/specials/museum-month/

ANNUAL NBC BEACH CLEANUP

Saturday, February 8, 10 am-12 pm

All are invited to participate in NAVFAC's annual NBC Beach Cleanup. Areas to be cleaned are Orange 1 and 2, NAS North Island Breakers Beach and Zuniga Point, and North and South Delta Beaches. Please refer to the attached slide advertising the beach cleanup along with meetup locations for each cleanup day.

Questions: 619-545-3703

MCEC’s 2025 CALL FOR THE ARTS IS NOW OPEN

Submissions accepted through April 30, 2025

The Military Child Education Coalition (MCEC) Call for the Arts invites military-connected kids from all over the world and every branch of service to share what it means to be a military child. Since 2002, thousands of military-connected kids inspired others with creative expressions of strength, bravery, pride, and community. Open to kids up to grade 12, artwork can be any medium, including writing and performance art. It is amazing to see the world through the eyes of our military-connected children. Cash prizes are given, and winners are invited to attend the MCEC Global Training Summit in Washington, DC this July.

Enter: https://www.militarychild.org/programs/the-call-for-the-arts

SILVER STRAND YOUTH CENTER TEEN PROGRAM

1302 Leyte Road, Coronado 92118

The Silver Strand Teen Program is a safe and fun environment for teens to discover new interests, make friends, participate in activities and fieldtrips, and develop their leadership skills….plus, there’s always snacks available! Program open to teens, 12*-18 years of age (12 yrs and in 7th grade). Teens are also welcome to bring a friend; military or civilian. See pdf attached.

• After School Teen Hours: Monday-Friday, 2-6 pm
• Friday Teen Nights: February 7 and 21, 6-8 pm
• Open Rec Saturdays: February 8 and 22, 10 am-2 pm

Questions: 619-435-5056 or SilverStrandTeenCenter@gmail.com

AROUND-THE-CLOCK HELP WITH TUTOR.COM

Tutor.com is a program that provides on-demand, online tutoring and homework help at no cost to eligible service members, civilian personnel, and their dependents. With live, expert tutors available 24/7, military-connected students can receive academic help at their moment of need—anywhere they have an internet connection.

• Work with a tutor from any internet-connected device, anywhere in the world
• Connect to an expert tutor available on demand 24 hours a day, 7 days a week*
• Get online tutoring help three ways: request a tutor’s help right now, schedule a future tutoring session, or upload a document for offline review and get comments back within 24 hours
• Use the free Tutor.com app for IOS and Android mobile devices—take a picture of a homework problem and upload it for the tutor to see

Get Started Today: https://tutor.com/military

CALKIDS - CALIFORNIA KIDS INVESTMENT AND DEVELOPMENT SAVINGS PROGRAM

The California Kids Investment and Development Savings Program (CalKIDS) is a taxpayer-funded scholarship program designed to help kids start saving for college from the day they're born. Every child born in California on or after July 1, 2023 are automatically enrolled in CalKIDS, and can receive $100 in free deposits by registering in the online portal. For older children, CalKIDS will automatically grant $500 to all eligible low-income students in grades 1-12, plus an additional $500 for those in foster care or experiencing homelessness.

Learn More/Register: https://calkids.org/

SCHOOL BREAK CAMPS

Looking for quality, safe, and fun care for your student during school breaks? The Navy’s Silver Strand Youth Center (SSYC) offers camp for children, Kindergarten through 12 years of age. Fees are on a sliding scale based on total family income. Put your child on the interest list by visiting www.MilitaryChildCare.com. See interest list opening dates below:

• Spring Break Camp, March 31- April 3, Interest List NOW Open

More Info: 619-435-5056 or stop by SSYC at 1302 Leyte Road, Coronado, CA 92118

NOTE: SSYC also offers hourly care for only $8 per hour. Call for details.

TRAVEL REIMBURSEMENT FOR A DESIGNATED PERSON TO PROVIDE CHILD CARE

MilitaryChildCare.com has now launched the ability to generate travel memos in support of a pilot program to assist Service members and their families when assigned to a new duty station and awaiting on-base child care at the new location. The program reimburses families for travel expenses when they bring a designated person to a new permanent duty station (PDS) to provide child care because child care is not available at the PDS within 30 days of their date care needed (DCN) – see attached memo for full details or visit https://militarychildcare.com.

MWR NEWSLETTER

Don’t miss out on any of the fun! Subscribe to Naval Base Coronado’s Monthly Newsletter and be the first to learn about events, activities, and news! Newsletters release before events are announced on social media and print calendars, giving you the first opportunity to sign up before spots sell out!

Subscribe today: tinyurl.com/nbcmwrnewsletter

FREE TRANSIT FOR YOUTH – EXTENDED THRU JUNE 2026

Anyone aged 18 and under can ride transit for free as part of the SANDAG Youth Opportunity Pass pilot program. Get your Youth PRONTO app account or card today to get unlimited rides on the bus, Trolley, COASTER, and SPRINTER through June 30, 2026.

Info: https://youthopportunitypass.sandag.org/

FREE CIRKLED IN ACCOUNTS FOR NAVY YOUTH

Installation Code: 698053

The student recruitment landscape is changing drastically. Colleges and employers are looking for well-rounded holistic candidates. Be ready to showcase yourself with Circkled In: an award-winning, secure, easy-to-use profile and portfolio platform made just for YOU! Compile all your activities and accomplishments in a fun and engaging online profile. Add pictures, videos, awards --- no losing or forgetting. Share securely with one click with any application and increase your success. Find opportunities; colleges, internships, and jobs all in one place.

Sign Up for FREE: www.cirkledin.com

BLUE ENVELOPE PROGRAM

San Diego County is proud to offer the Blue Envelope Program. The program is designed to promote inclusivity and serve as an enhanced communication awareness tool between law enforcement and community members diagnosed with a condition or disability such as Autism Spectrum Disorder, dementia, anxiety or other conditions that might require additional accommodations or awareness during a law enforcement interaction. The Blue Envelope Program does not have a registry component; therefore, the program is voluntary and self-implemented.

Info: https://www.sdsheriff.gov/community/blue-envelope

OPERATION BIGS

Big Brothers and Big Sisters of San Diego County is now enrolling youth in Operation Bigs; a free program providing mentoring and support to students of military families. Youth must be a least 7 years old, a military dependent, and able to participate 2-4 times a month for at least six months.
Info: https://www.bbbs.org/military/ Questions/Enroll: Vanessa Hewitt, 858-746-9150

YOUR COMMAND CAN BE A PARTNER IN EDUCATION

The Partnership in Education (PIE) Program is designed to encourage support of the local schools through Navy volunteer efforts. PIEs offer opportunities for military and civilian members attached to commands to give their time as volunteers at local schools. The program contributes military resources and services to help nurture the intellectual, emotional, social, and physical growth of children and youth. In addition, this program forges a partnership between commands and the local schools and increases awareness of the US military’s mission. Here are a few ways your command can support a PIE. Can you think of others?

• Be a guest speaker or reader.

• Plan a field trip to the ship.

• Establish a pen pal or video project.

• Provide positive, healthy engagement during lunch recess by playing outdoor games with students.

• Share an expertise or hobby with students.

• Assist with school self-help projects on campus.