Page 6 - Fort Irwin High Desert Warrior, August 2020

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News
High Desert Warrior August 2020
www.aerotechnews.com/ntcfortirwin
Secretary of Defense outlines acceptable DoD flag displays
NTC/Fort Irwin Garrison Public Affairs
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE — On July 17, Secretary of Defense Mark Esper, provided guidance to Defense senior leaders and commanders on the public display or depiction of flags in the Department of Defense. Esper noted that flags are powerful symbols, particularly in the military community for whom flags embody a common mission, common histories, and the special, timeless bonds of warriors. The secretary also noted that the flags flown across military installations must accord with the military imperatives of good order and disci- pline, treating everyone with dignity and respect, and rejecting divisive symbols.
In addition to honoring the American flag, which is the principal flag that DoD is authorized and encouraged to dis-
play, Esper provided a list of other flags, or representational depictions, that service members and civilian employees are authorized to display that promote unity and esprit de corps. The policy does not specifically mention the Confederate battle flag, but it is not listed among the flags permitted to be displayed.
“With this change in policy, we will further improve the morale, cohesion, and readiness of the force in defense of our great Nation,” Esper said.
Secretary Esper said he remains committed to fielding the most powerful military force the world has known by strength- ening the bonds of the DoD’s most valuable resource — its people.
The new policy comes amid an ongoing debate about the display of the Confederate flag and whether military installations named after Confederate officers should be renamed.
The full memo can be found on defense.gov.
On July 21, district leaders and principals presented the community with a virtual look at how the 2020-2021 school year would begin. The district was able to elaborate on its initial communications to everyone on July 14, that confirmed SVUSD would begin their year on a distance learning model.
“This difficult decision was made with the safety and wellbeing of our students and staff as our highest priority,” Jesse Najera, the district’s superintendent said in his initial let- ter to the community.
During the live event, school leaders ex- plained that there will be two online options for grades kindergarten through eighth grade, and three options for high school students.
-Silver Valley’s K-8th program is a distance learning model that consists of daily, live les- sons from Silver Valley teachers.
-K-8 also has the option of enrolling in a virtual program Calvert Learning. With that system, a teacher will give one hour of live instruction each day.
-One option 9th-12th High School students have is also the district’s Distance learning program, but they also have the option of using Edmentum Courseware-- a self-pacedprogramthatoffersA-G,AP,CTE, Foreign Languages and electives, with access to a Silver Valley teacher to help guide them through the curriculum. Lastly, high school
students have the Ed Options Academy pilot program, which is also self-paced with live, weekly instruction from certified teachers.
During the Garrison Facebook Live ses- sions that aired on Facebook.com/FtIrwin on July 29 and 31, SVUSD principals and Fort Irwin’s Child Youth Services (CYS) leaders provided clarification on the distance and virtual learning options, clarifying everything from tech support to CYS support for dual- working families.
SVUSD teachers returned to work on Aug. 3 and parents and students were sent information on how, when and where to pick up their technology devices on Aug. 5 ahead of the first day of school on Aug. 6. Parents and students also got to have virtual meet and greets with their teachers on Aug. 5.
All students who participate in virtual learning will be able to participate in school assemblies, field trips, clubs, school meals, and athletics. More information will be released soon on the process.
CYS said they have a great partnership with the district to help facilitate and support students of mission essential parents while in their care throughout the day. During their live event with the community, CYS leaders clarified that they can help and assist students at their centers but cannot force students to do complete their work. The district said
parents, students and CYS will have access to tech support with the district.
To view the SVUSD’s July 21 Town Hall slides, you can visit NTC/Fort Irwin’s website at home.army.mil/irwin and look under the “Town Hall Slides” tab.
Parents can also go to Fort Irwin’s Face- book page (Facebook.com/FtIrwin) to view the three Facebook live sessions with the district’s principals and CYS from July 29 and 31st.
The district will continue to update its own Facebook page and website, along with each individual school updating their social media pages. They will also alert families on their all-call system.
Contact information for schools and CYS are below, along with homeschooling tips:
SVUSD website: SVUSDk12.net
Taryn Lamoreaux, Principal at Lewis Elementary: 760-386-1900 ;tlamoreaux@ svusdk12.net
Aubrey Zucco, Principal at Tiefort View Intermediate: 760-386-3123; azucco@ svusdk12.net
Megan McIntosh, Principal at Fort Ir- win Middle: 760-386-1133; mmcintosh@ svusdk12.net
School Liaison Officer: Ms. Murray ;(760) 380-6880
Tech Support: support@svusdk12.net
From VIRTUAL, Page 1 OLR: Online registration- olr@svusdk12.
net
School Physicals: Call 866-957-9224 for
appointments *CYS:
Ms. Mock Yen, CYS Coordinator
Ms. Cynthia Maples, FCC Director: cynthia.l.maples2.civ@mail.mil; (760) 380- 2267
Ms. April Camarena, Parent Outreach Director: april.a.camarena.naf@mail.mil; 760-380-2257
Ms. Mehgan Nowak, SAC Director: mehgan.k.nowak.naf@mail.mil; 760)380- 4163
*Schooling at home tips:
Ms. Stefanie Cole, Homeschool Group Administrator: Fort Irwin Homeschool (Face- book Group); Fort Irwin Home-Education Resource & Information Facebook Page
• Quiet workspace with supplies available • Explain expectations ahead of time
• Have a routine and use planners if
needed
• Conference with kids after school
• Keep a notebook with questions for
teachers
• Be flexible and give yourself and your
children lots of grace
(Facebook.com/NTCfortirwin).
Brig. Gen David Lesperance, Com- manding General of the National Training Center presided over the ceremony. Bidding farewell to Lowe
and welcoming Justice.
“Today Sergeant Major Lowe
becomes a part of Fort Irwin history. He has served as the Post Command Sergeant Major for 32 months and in that time has done an exceptional job,” Lesperance said. “I relied on his advice and appreciated his council from day one.”
Lespreance said as the Army goes rolling along, the departure of one great Soldier marks the arrival of another.
“Without a question you are the right leader to continue assisting me in our dynamic high performing team,” Lespreance said while welcoming incoming Command Sgt. Maj. Wil- liam Justice.
The Justice family are also “repeat offenders” at the National Training Center.
“I love this desert and I believe in
this mission with all of my heart,” Jus- tice said. “I believe there is no greater responsibility of our Army than build- ing readiness.
After Relinquishing Responsibil- ity to Command Sgt. Maj. William Justice, as the Post Command Sergeant Major, Command Sgt. Maj. Matthew Lowe retired from the Army after 31 years of active-duty service on July 14th from the National Training Center, Fort Irwin.
“I’m proud that I was a small part of that legacy and served with the great
units you see before you today which execute this tough mission,” Lowe said. “I’m humbled to be a part of this organization.”
Lowe entered the United States Army on Feb. 22, 1989, as a Cavalry Scout. He has served in 16 assignments and has acted in numerous leadership positions to include squad leader, Drill Sergeant, Platoon Sergeant, Observer Controller, First Sergeant, Operations Sergeant Major and Command Ser- geant Major.
“I will miss the people,” Lowe said,
From CHANGE, Page 1
on his retirement. “I will not miss PowerPoint or the BCTs, but I will miss the relationships and people who were in those BCT’s.”
Lowe and his family will be retiring in El Paso, Texas.
For more information go to home.army.mil/irwin