DMAFB School Liaison Program Manager

Attention Sahuarita School District Parents!

Records Destruction Notice
This notice is to inform parents/guardians and former students that Sahuarita Unified School District # 30 intends to destroy the special education records of all students who exited our district in the 2021-2022 school year or prior years. Before these records are destroyed, parents and/or eligible students have the right to review the records and obtain copies of any information needed.
To schedule an appointment, please call Joyce Blalock (520) 625-3502 x1011 prior to July 1, 2026. Destruction of records will take place on July 6, 2026.

FREE summer adventures for military families? Yes, really. 🖼️🦖✈️

Blue Star Families, in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts, brings Blue Star Museums back for another summer of exploration, connection, and family fun.

Through this nationwide initiative, eligible military families receive FREE admission to nearly 2,000 participating museums all summer long.

Whether your family loves dinosaurs, art, airplanes, science experiments, or hands-on exhibits, there’s something to explore near you — at no cost.

📍 Free admission is available through Labor Day.

Start planning your next adventure: https://bit.ly/2OGc5bt

UPDATE:

The camp is quickly filling up. Please note that students MUST have already completed 5th, 6th or 7th grade during the traditional 25/26 SY that just ended. For homeschool families that do not follow the traditional school year, minimum age is 10 years old. They must already be 10 years old to be considered.

*** Due to the number of sign-ups, there can be NO exceptions.

Thank you for your understanding.

Attention Parents of Current 5th, 6th and 7th graders......

STARBASE will be holding their Summer STEAM Academy, 1 - 4 June 2026, 0830 - 1530.

If intersted, please reach out to Ms.Impellizzeri to sign up.

Please note, this is NOT a CYP camp therefore no transporation will be provided to/from the Youth Programs for this STARBASE Camp.

See attached for details and who may attend.

Event Headline (2026 Summer Reading Program & Kids Bowl Free)

This summer, DoW MWR Libraries and other participating locations will explore culture, history, science, health, and human connection. Bases worldwide will host programs centered around food, economics, gardening, and caring for your community. All ages are encouraged to participate: Whether it's audiobooks, movie subtitles, emails, graphic novels--it all counts as reading!
Plant a Seed, Read at Your Library This Summer! https://www.dodmwrlibraries.org/srp

Kids bowl free—every day and all summer long! Find the nearest location near you!
Kids learn a lifelong sport, that now has many opportunities to join leagues, middle school, high school programs and earn scholarships for college!
Kids Bowl Free https://www.kidsbowlfree.com/

Sharing on behalf of Soaring Heights.

Do you live in base housing? Are you a graduating Senior?
Please see attached BlueStar Scholarships information.
Deadline is 29 May 2026.

PCS Season is Upon Us.......

PCS and School Transitions for Special Education Students

As we approach PCS season, school transitions present challenges for military parents with K-12 children with special educational needs (as defined under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and/or Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act). IDEA provides crucial protections for school transfers, described below.

IDEA requires new schools to provide “services comparable to those described in the previous IEP,” whether that Individualized Education Program (IEP) is from a school in the same state, or a school from a new state. These “comparable” services are required to take effect immediately, so there is no gap in specialized instruction and services. With in-state school transfers, the new school can either adopt the old IEP, or develop a new one. However, it is unlikely the school will re-evaluate the child for eligibility.

With a PCS to a new state, things can be more complicated. States are not, per IDEA, required to adopt another state’s IEP. They are allowed to re-evaluate the child under their own state’s IDEA eligibility criteria. For example: a child who a Virginia school district evaluated as having a Specific Learning Disability (SLD) under Virginia’s IDEA guidelines might not qualify for SLD in North Carolina. However, IDEA is quite clear that while pending a new state evaluation, the new school is required to provide “services comparable” to the ones in the old school’s IEP.

Military parents of children receiving special education should prepare in advance for school transitions to prevent delays, as follows:

1. Gather all IEP (or 504 plan) documents before your child’s last day at the current school. Request a complete copy of the current IEP, all evaluation reports, service logs, and progress notes. Hand-carry these documents with you.

2. Notify the new school in writing before enrollment (preferably, at least 2 weeks). Send a written notice (email is fine) to the new school's special education coordinator stating that your child has an active IEP and attach a copy of the IEP.

3. At the new school: Confirm comparable services in writing on day one. Ask the new school to confirm, in writing, which comparable services they will provide and when they will begin. Get a start date for every service.

4. Ask if the new school will conduct a new evaluation, and, if so, request the new school's timeline. Ask how long the evaluation process takes and the start date.

5. Attend the new eligibility and IEP meeting. Once the new school completes its evaluation, attend every meeting. You have full IDEA rights at the new school, including the right to disagree with findings and request an independent evaluation.

6. Document and keep track of every communication, email, phone call, meeting date, and service delivery confirmation. If services are delayed or reduced, documentation becomes critical evidence for enforcing the IDEA.

If you are a parent of a child with special needs and have questions, please know you can schedule an appointment for legal assistance at your local onbase legal office.

The May 2026 School Liaison Newsletter has finally arrived. Please check it out and reach out with any questions or e-mail me with any future suggested topics. Have an amazing day!

🌟 Families in Nogales and surrounding communities, we invite you to a special day of learning! 🌟
Encircle Families, The Stimming Co., and Mariposa Health Center invite you to participate in “Special Education Day”—a day dedicated to learning, connection, and support for families with young children who are navigating the world of special education.

During this event, you will have access to a variety of learning opportunities designed to help you:
✨ Better understand the special education process
✨ Strengthen your confidence as a parent or caregiver
✨ Acquire practical tools that you can use in your daily life

Connect with other families, share experiences, and find support within a community that understands your journey.

📍THE STIMMING COMPANY | 3241 N GRAND AVE, NOGALES, AZ 85621
📅 Saturday, April 25th, from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM.
Register here: https://ow.ly/tS8Z50YGbyx

This is a welcoming space where you can ask questions, learn, and feel supported every step of the way. Don't miss it! We look forward to seeing you there! 💙

Attention Parents of Current 5th, 6th and 7th graders......

STARBASE will be holding their Summer STEAM Academy, 1 - 4 June 2026, 0830 - 1530.

If intersted, please reach out to Ms.Impellizzeri to sign up.

Please note, this is NOT a CYP camp therefore no transporation will be provided to/from the Youth Programs for this STARBASE Camp.

See attached for details and who may attend.

***Reminder that YES there will be PE for homeschoolers (K-12) today, 26 Mar, 1 p.m. @ the Youth Center. See you there. Ms. Roxi is ready for you all.