Liaisons an important link in parent/school partnerships

  • Published
RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany (USAFENS) --  Parents and military commands are encouraged to communicate with DoDDS-E schools district superintendents, area and deputy directors and School Liaison leads to provide feedback and inquire about any school, student or teacher issue.

DoDDS encourages parents to contact their school principal with concerns regarding any aspect of the school and are welcome to request a meeting or phone call with the superintendent.

One of the best ways to work inquiries with DoDDS is via base School Liaisons (SLs). Each base has a School Liaison who advise installation commanders on any DoDDS-E school issue. SLs liaise between command, organizations, schools, students and parents and assist in coordinating all publicity regarding school matters. School Liaisons attend every school meeting and event, and are able to analyze and provide recommended solutions for each school or parent issue. SLs also monitor school repairs, maintenance and construction projects and oversee all installation and repair of school lunch equipment. SLs are the installation's POC for the Free and Reduced Lunch Program. During the PCS season, SLs are also a valuable source of information for student transition and sponsorship information.

School and district advisory councils are other sources for input from parents. DoDDs requests input annually from parents in a customer satisfaction survey. The 2009/2010 survey will available on the DoDDS web site in Nov 09. DoDDS-E customers can also provide comments year-round via the ICE system and responses to each comment is provided within a three-five day period. The ICE link and other helpful DoDDS-E information is available at: http://www.eu.dodea.edu/home/about.php?cId=4

Additionally, parents can access GradeSpeed, the DoDDS-E online grade book application for grades 4-12. This powerful tool features the ability of parents to access their child's assignments and grades online and the goal is to increase parent communication and to encourage parents to take a more active role in their child's education. There are three different login portals within GradeSpeed. One for parents, one for students, and one for teachers and administrators.

Parent/Teacher Conferences are another avenue for parents to meet and communicate with teachers on issues pertaining to their child's education and in August each SY DoDDS-E requests input from commands on the performance of the superintendents.