Program Helps Military Students Adapt To New Schools

By ABC-7 News Anchor/Reporter Celina Avila

EL PASO — We all remember how tough the first day of school can be; butimagine having a first day of school several times each year!

That’s why there’s a program to help area students welcome military children to their schools.

“When I moved here I didn’t know anybody, I don’t know Spanish, so I was really scared, ” said Jacqueline McColovue.

When military students move they need to adjust, said McColovue. “I think I’ve moved about 4 or 5 times,” she added. “It’s actually really hard andmost people don’t know why it’s difficult.”

That’s why the military student transition team “Student 2 Student” is a unique program designed to support military students during moving time.

“I think it’s easier for me to help somebody else because I’ve been through it so much,” said Deanna Jean Paul, who recently moved from Hawaii. The program trains students to help them get involved.

“I want them to feel welcomed and accepted and they don’t feel like no one likes them here because I know what it feels like to move and have that bad feeling,” said Ivana Valdez, a student.

It’snot only hard socially andacademically, but emotionally. “My Dad is deployed right now in Iraq and it’s hard,” said McColovuey.

Organizers say military children have unique needs and children must get involved in their new schools. “I joined football, met a lot of good people, good friends andit became a lot easier for me when I joined extra-curricular activities, ” said Jean-Paul, a student at Montwood Middle School.

Jean-Paul says she even has some advice for the next student who comes along, “Don’t always think that things are going to be bad because that’s how I thought it was and it turned out pretty good.”

For more information on “Student 2 Student” go to www.militarychild.org.