Homeschool Information

Homeschooling in the KMC is actually quite simple; there are no registration or reporting requirements. You are free to use whatever curriculum, testing schedule, etc. that you feel will benefit your child the most. It is highly recommended though that you use an accredited curriculum. Using an accredited program provides for a well-rounded curriculum and will aid in a smoother transition back to a traditional setting (or to college) should your child go that route down the road. We also recommend checking the home schooling requirements of the state you are leaving, your home of record state, or the state you will be going to, to give you a basic framework to build off of. Their requirements can typically be found on the state’s Department of Education website. It is also advisable to contact the school district office of the school your children are leaving.

The DoDEA schools here allow homeschooling families access to some of their services. The DoDEA-AI-1375-01 is the DoDEA directive describing the auxiliary services provided to homeschooled students. There are no requirements stating that you must use DoDEA auxiliary services. If you choose to use those services once you arrive here though, you will need to speak directly to the school that your home is zoned for. The staff will be able to give you specific information on the services their specific school is able to provide. For more information, please see http://www.dodea.edu/parents/homeschooling.cfm. The Alternative Educational Options pamphlet also provides information on Homeschool Support Groups.

For you cultural awareness, please note that for German citizens, home schooling is illegal and is not common or recognized. We say this only for you to have cultural awareness while out and about in the community.

Homeschool Quick Facts

There are many opportunities to get involved in the KMC. See below for just a few of the opportunities available:

• The School Liaison Office sends out volunteer opportunities twice a month through the Chiefs and First Sergeants groups for active-duty members.
• If civilians are interested, please contact the School Liaison Office, or the specific school you are interested in volunteering at.
• School Advisory Committee (SAC) makes recommendations and advises the principal on school policy, instructional programs, resource allocation, and student services. The SAC is an important venue for parent input regarding school matters.
• School Advisory Board (SAB) serves as the advisory group to the DODEA District Superintendent and Installation Commander on issues concerning our schools and our children, such as school meals, transportation, safety & security, medical services, and installation policies related to dependent education.

Please note: You do not have to be a member of the SAC or SAB to participate in either meeting. Attendance is highly encouraged regardless of membership. Contact your child’s school, or the SLO, for more information on upcoming meeting dates.

Military Interstate Children’s Compact Commission

KMC Child Supervision Matrix

Adopt-a-School Program

AF Youth Sponsorship

DoDEA Curriculum Information: http://www.dodea.edu/Curriculum/index.cfm

DoDEA Europe School Calendar for SY 19/20: https://www.dodea.edu/schoolCalendarsDetail.cfm?customel_datapageid_172689=746041

Kaiserslautern Army MWR (School Age Programs and Instructional/Sports Programs): http://kaiserslautern.armymwr.com/europe/kaiserslautern

86^th FSS (Youth, School Age, Sports and Instructional programs):

https://www.86fss.com/

Germany Community Information: (AWESOME Information! Schools, village events, and so much more!):

https://www.welcome-to-rlp.org/home-away-from-home/

Weather updates:

http://www.imcom-europe.army.mil/webs/sites/staff_org/safety/road_conditions/index.asp

https://www.ramstein.af.mil/Weather-Info/

Ramstein Air Base App: In your App Store/Play Store search for ‘Ramstein Air Base'

In the Kaiserslautern Military Community (KMC) we have 11 Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) Schools located on the various military installations in the local area. The DoDEA Schools serve Preschool-12^th grade students.

Zoning: The school your child attends is determined by the location of your home. If a family decides to enroll their children into school while they are still in TLF/TLA, the school zoned for your TLF/TLA location will be the assigned school for the student. Please understand that when the family moves out of TLF/TLA, and if the permanent home is outside the current school zone, the children will need to transfer schools accordingly. (Please note that the villages listed on the Feeder Zone brochure are serviced by school buses)

School Specific Information: If you are needing school specific information regarding extracurricular programs (Athletics, theater, clubs, etc.), you will need to contact the schools directly. While most DoDEA schools offer the same programs and services, there are minor differences between the schools due to staffing, space or other various factors. To contact the schools, please visit the schools’ websites through the following link: https://www.dodea.edu/Europe/east/.

Late Start Day: Please note that on Thursday mornings every week, the DoDEA schools start one hour later. This one hour delayed start allows the faculty and staff at every school to collaborate and improve instruction. The schools offer supervised care as well as the School Age Programs (CYS) for students who do not meet the age requirement to stay home alone (please see the KMC Child Supervision Matrix).

KMC Child Supervision Matrix

Feeder Zone Brochure

Sure Start Brochure

List of schools

Student Transfer Checklist

Off base there are multiple school age options- the Alternative Educational Options pamphlet highlights the most commonly used off base schools.

Alternative Educational Options

Preschool and Daycare Brochure

DoDEA - Sure Start Program

Sure Start is a preschool program for command-sponsored dependents. The program is comprised of four components: education, health, social services, and parent involvement.

Education: Children are offered a variety of learning activities that encourage their social-emotional, cognitive, and physical growth.

Health: Children are assisted with comprehensive medical, dental, health, and educational screenings.

Social Services: Families are provided with referrals and linkages to community resources.

Parent Involvement: The program connects the school to the home because children benefit most when parents are partners with the school in their children’s education.

Eligibility: Dependents who have turned four years old by September 1st of the current school year (There are no exceptions to this age cut-off). Children qualify for Sure Start based on family dynamics that may put the child "at risk”. Please see the brochure below for more detailed information.

Sure Start Brochure

Sure Start Application Form

Child Development Center Programs

All CDC’s (Air Force and Army) are open to families regardless of the sponsor’s military affiliation.

Air Force Child Development Centers (CDC)

“The Child Development Centers (CDCs) are committed to providing high quality developmental experiences for your children. The CDCs on Ramstein and Vogelweh offer full time and hourly services for children ages 6 weeks to 5 years old. Also, both CDCs offer a monthly 'Give Parents a Break' program, which allows parents to enjoy an evening out with their spouses. There is currently a waiting list to enroll your child in the CDC.”

Closed Federal Holidays & Family Days

Full Day/Part Day Care/Rental Slots

Website: https://www.86fss.com/child-development-center

Referral Office: DSN: 480-8782 | CIV: 06371-47-8782 (Both Ramstein and Vogelweh)

Army Child Development Centers

“CDCs are on-post child care centers that offer full-day, part-day and hourly care for children in nationally accredited environments. For ages 6 weeks to 5 years old.”

Closed Federal Holidays & Weekends

Full Day/Part Day/Hourly Care/Rental Slots

All Centers are open Mon-Fri: 0600-1800

Website: https://kaiserslautern.armymwr.com/europe/kaiserslautern/programs/childcare and http://kaiserslautern.armymwr.com/europe/kaiserslautern/programs/cysreg/

Private Options

Preschool and Daycare Brochure

For registering your children in a DoDEA school please visit https://dodea-registration.hosted.src-solutions.com/terms to pre-register online. You will have to finalize the enrollment process once you get here at the school you are zoned for. (You will still need to bring official records to the school for verification)

Buses: To register, fill out the attached Bus Form and turn it in to the appropriate Transportation Office.

AAFES is responsible for managing the School Meal Program for all DoDEA Schools in the KMC. AAFES also manages the USDA Free and Reduced Lunch Program. The School Meal Program flyer provides step-by-step instructions for your convenience.

Free and Reduced Lunch Program: Eligibility is based on total household size and income (BAH and COLA are NOT included as family income, however, BAS is included as family income). You will have to set up an AAFES Lunch account prior to applying. Apply online at: https://freeandreducedapps.aafes.com/.

School Meal Program flyer

Bright Eyes Program

The Kaiserslautern/Landstuhl Military Spouses Association provides a free pair of glasses to the children of active-duty families qualifying for the free lunch program. Please see the Bright Eyes flyer on how to take advantage of this wonderful opportunity.