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Mascoutah, 375 AMW sign memorandum to ease school transitions

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Samantha S. Crane
  • 375th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. --  Dr. Sam McGowen, Mascoutah Community Unit School District No. 19 superintendent, and Col. Michael Hornitschek, 375th Air Mobility Wing commander, signed a MemorandumofUnder-standing between the Mascoutah district and Scott Air Force Base July 22 to ease the transition between schools for military children.

The memorandum states that the agreement is "designed to facilitate the understanding of existing practices, the mutual development of future needs, conduits for information between systems about requirements, and to facilitate the exchange of thought on emerging opportunities."

The MOU's guiding principles are to:

- Facilitate the timely transfer of records;

- Develop systems concerning student transition during the first two weeks of enrollment;

- Promote practices which foster access to extracurricular programs;

- Continue to promote procedures to lessen the adverse impact of moves from the end of junior year, as well as, before and during the senior year;

- Communicate variations in the school calendars and schedules;

- Continue to create and implement professional development systems;

- Continue strong, child-centered partnerships between the MCUSD No. 19 and 375th AMW;

- Continue to provide information concerning graduation requirements; 

- Continue to provide specialized services for transitioning students when applying to and finding funding for post secondary study.

The MOU solidifies the approach to be used by the school district and the base in ensuring a smooth transition for highly mobile military-affiliated students who move between school districts. With this signing, the base now has MOUs with the school districts that most children connected to the base attend.

"Our school district is culturally rich and diverse due to the outstanding mix of military and civilian students," said Dr. McGowen. "We benefit from that diversity and the tapestry of students. It helps make District 19 an outstanding educational experience. All our students are important.

"We are committed to offering each student the best preparation for future success whether they are with us for one year or 12."

Colonel Hornitschek said he appreciated the excellent educational opportunities the Mascoutah school district provides and the district's willingness to work with military families to allow a flexible approach in accepting test scores, grades and coursework from previous out-of-state schools.