PNSY - School Liaison

The School Liaison’s primary function is to serve as a conduit between parents, educators and the command so that military-connected children experience a seamless transition during the transfer between schools. Knowing that many military children move an average of every 2.9 years, School Liaison Officers can provide families with educational information to assist them as they begin their PCS planning.

The Child and Youth Education Services program supports military families with seven cores services provided by the School Liaison:

School Transition Services (PCS Cycle): School Liaisons assist families with school transfers and help “level the playing field” for military children and youth.
Deployment Support: School Liaisons connect educators with the military deployment support system to inform them about the cycles of deployment and the tools available to assist educators in working with military children.
Command, School, & Community Communications: School Liaisons serve as subject-matter experts for installation commanders on K-12 issues, helping to connect command, school and community resources.
Home School Linkage and Support: School Liaisons assist military families by gathering and sharing information on home schooling issues, policies and legislation from local school districts. They also help leverage military Child and Youth Program resources to support these families.
Partnerships in Education (PIE): PIE creates a volunteer network of resources to support installation and community members who have a vested interest in the success of all youth.
Post-Secondary Preparations: School Liaisons leverage installation and school resources to provide graduating military students with access to post-secondary information and opportunities.
Special Needs System Navigation: School Liaisons provide information about installation and community programs and services, make referrals to the Exceptional Family Member Program, and offer assistance in navigating the administrative systems within local education agencies.

Public School Information

The area of Portsmouth Naval Shipyard physically straddles the line between Portsmouth NH and Kittery ME. Military families living in base housing will attend school in the Kittery School District. Information for the Kittery School District as well as links to the individual schools can be found at www.kitteryschools.com.

Families not living in base housing who would like information about schools in other areas of Maine and New Hampshire should contact the PNSY School Liaison, SLO.PNSY.FCT@NAVY.MIL for further information and resources. Please remember that in both states your physical address will determine the school district your child attends (with the exception of military housing within the PNSY fence line).

Enrollment/Registration
Please find specific enrollment/registration information at the Kittery School Department. Medical information, required immunizations and forms are included. Registration packets may be printed out from the website or you can call/email your School Liaison to request a copy. Registration is completed in person at the individual school upon arrival.

State Immunization information can be found as follows:

Maine:
Maine immunization information

New Hampshire:
New Hampshire immunization information.

Private School information

There are many private school options in the Maine & New Hampshire. Please conduct an internet search for private schools located in your desired city.

**The U.S. Navy neither endorses nor supports the above organizations. They are provided as a purely informational resource for families**

Home School Information

Maine
Parents residing in the state of Maine who wish to homeschool their children are required to file a letter of intent with the Maine Department of Education and the local school district Superintendent. Please carefully review all information.

Maine DOE Home Instruction:
https://www.maine.gov/doe/schools/schoolops/homeinstruction

Homeschool Requirements, Forms & Laws:
https://www.maine.gov/doe/schools/schoolops/homeinstruction/requirements

Resources:
https://www.maine.gov/doe/schools/schoolops/homeinstruction/resources

The Homeschool Legal Defense Association (HSLDA):
https://www.hslda.org/

New Hampshire

Families wishing to Homeschool in the state of New Hampshire must contact their local school district to sign a letter of intent to homeschool. Please carefully review all state information

New Hampshire Department of Education:
https://www.education.nh.gov/pathways-education/home-education

Information, Resources and Assistance can be found at New Hampshire Homeschooling Coalition
www.nhhomeschooling.org/

An additional resource for military families choosing to home school :
Home-school?Association for Military Families.

The Homeschool Legal Defense Association (HSLDA):
https://www.hslda.org/

K-12 Special Needs

If your child has special needs, an IEP, 504 or is need of special education services please contact your School Liaison prior to your arrival. Guidance for transfer of records and connection with proper school personnel can be facilitated to make the transition as smooth as possible.

For specific state laws and resources please choose one of the following links.

Maine:
https://www.maine.gov/doe/learning/specialed

New Hampshire:
https://www.education.nh.gov/specialeducation

Special Ed Connection, a free web-based resource available to Navy families, provides resources and tools that enable families to better understand special education requirements and available services (www.SpecialEdConnection.com). Please contact your local School Liaison for login access.

DirectSTEP® eCourses
Another free web-based resource, that can assist with navigating the complexities of special education laws and procedures.
https://elibrary.cnic-n9portal.net/document-library/?id=815

Military OneSource offers assistance to families with special needs family members at their website:
https://www.militaryonesource.mil/

Specialized Training of Military Parents (STOMP):
https://wapave.org/

Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP)

Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) Liaisons are located at Fleet and Family Support Centers and provide information and referral to help EFM families identify and access appropriate military, national and community resources. They assist in the navigation of EFMP related programs and systems and are responsible for:

Provision of information, referral and systems navigation to special needs families
Linking families with available military, national and local community resources
Non-medical case management
Development and maintenance of Individualized Service Plans (ISP)
Partner with Military Treatment Facility (MTF) Coordinators to provide information, education and marketing If your child has special needs, an IEP, 504 or is need of special education services please contact your School Liaison prior to your arrival.
Guidance for transfer of records and connection with proper school personnel can be facilitated to make the transition as smooth as possible.

https://www.cnic.navy.mil/ffr/family_readiness/fleet_and_family_support_program.html

Youth Sponsorship

The Youth Sponsorship program is designed to assist young people in making the transition from one installation to another successfully. It is our goal to help incoming youth adjust and get connected with a youth sponsor at the installation. Youth Sponsors will provide information about area schools, attractions and the surrounding community. This program is created by and for youth with youth involvement in every aspect of the program.

Students attending all three Kittery Schools will be welcomed by their S2S program. Families not attending the Kittery Schools who are interested in a youth sponsor for their child, should contact the School Liaison @ SLO.PNSY.FCT@NAVY.MIL. The PNSY Youth Sponsorship group is always excited to welcome new members.

INSTALLATION CHILD AND YOUTH PROGRAMS

For Information about: Child Development Centers | School Aged Care | Youth Sponsorship |

Please go to https://www.navylifema.com/child-youth for regional information.

Our website so that parents can get on the waiting list for military childcare. https://militarychildcare.com/

For parents who cannot find care within our CYP. They must be registered on https://militarychildcare.com/ and on a waitlist to qualify. https://usa.childcareaware.org/fee-assistancerespite/

Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA):
DODEA NDSP is the website you need to visit if you are PCSing to an area overseas that does not have a DODEA school.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the kindergarten age cutoff date? In Maine the child must be 5 years of age by 15 October of their kindergarten year. In New Hampshire the date is determined by individual school district.
Do I have to live in the Zone where the school is located to attend? Yes.
Do the local schools have talented and gifted programs? Most local schools have gifted an talented programs.
Is there school choice or other school options in the area? School choice varies for each school district. Visit the desired school district website for their school choice options.
What schedule does the local high school follow…traditional, block, A/B Block…? School schedules vary depending on the district. Visit the school district website for their specific school schedule.

DoDEA Information

Department of Defense Education Activity
DoDEA

The website you need to visit if you are PCSing to an area overseas that does not have a DODEA school.
DODEA NDSP