Members of the Tabernacle Township School District Board of Education have been busy learning about opportunities New Jersey school districts have in regard to the military.
Board President Victoria Shoemaker spoke at the last BOE meeting about taking a tour of the Communications-Electronic Research, Development and Engineering Center at Fort Dix and learning about the Army Educational Outreach Program available to students that she and board member John Bulina experienced on July 15.
“The Army isn’t just there to make soldiers. They have a lot to offer communities and they have a lot to offer to the school systems, and it is all free of charge,” Shoe maker said.
On July 15, Shoemaker and Bulina went on a field trip sponsored by Fort Dix and the state School Boards Association to learn more about the military. Administrators, teachers and BOE members from all over the state were invited to attend. Shoemaker and Bulina were driven around by Shamong’s Sgt. Peter Freeman, who is also the U.S. Army recruiter for Shawnee and Seneca high schools.
The program included: a tour of the Communications-Electronic Research, Development and Engineering Center; learning what Field Based Risk Reduction was and why it was important; demonstrations of the use of CAD and rapid prototyping using 3D print technology, communications and field data collection; information on how Military Occupation Specialties can become transferable job skills and job opportunities to enhance the district’s iSTEM/iSTEAM plan; information on Army Educational Outreach Programs, such as summer camps for children from kindergarten to graduate levels; information on programs free to school districts from the Army; and information on Army career opportunities.
Shoemaker elaborated on some aspects, such as the use of CAD and rapid prototyping, explaining attendees were shown a completely naked Humvee and shown how they were able to put together a fully equipped military vehicle using 3D print technology, communications and field data collection.
She also shared the free programs offered to school districts by the Army. The Army can provide assistance to students on projects, give program presentations to staff and students on topics such as Healthy Behavior Initiatives and sexual assault, and have the ability to perform duties such as security monitoring and bus duty.
“I’ve had a privilege of attending a number of these over the past year and a half,” Bulina said. “One of the biggest things that they have talked about is that they are not interested in (recruiting) soldiers; it is that they want to have an educated citizen rate.”
“I think they were trying to get across to all of us the Army is not just about handing someone a rifle, but have a lot of opportunities for (communities and schools),” Shoemaker said.
Shoemaker made sure to note attendees were told that one out of six students usually passed the Armed Services Vocabulary Aptitude Battery test, which is an aptitude test to select individuals with sufficient skills and abilities to absorb military training, adjust to military life and become successful military members. Shoemaker said, according to Freeman, five out of six Lenape Regional High School District students usually pass the test because of the district’s education.
“This is a great resource and it is really right in our back yard… It really behooves us to use this free help,” Shoemaker said.
In other news:
• Julia E. Sailer was appointed as the new BOE member at the board meeting last week. Sailer will fulfill the remaining, unexpired term of former BOE member Stephen Price until Dec. 31. Price was to be presented a plaque for his 23 years of service at the meeting, but was not able to attend.
• The board will receive an update on the progress of the district’s goals and strategic plans at the next BOE meeting in August. The August meeting will be Aug. 15 at 7 p.m. at the Kenneth R. Olson Middle School Media Center.
