Growing up in a military family can be tough. Children often have to deal with deployments and frequent moves when mom or dad changes duty station. Research shows that some children in military families attend up to nine schools before they graduate from high school. Imagine moving that many times and having to make friends at each new school.
“It can be stressful for many kids, but it can also be exciting,” said school counselor Joe Neidrick. “In Virginia Beach, we have so many military families that students share common experiences and do a really great job of supporting one another.”
With nearly one-third of VBCPS students from military families, the school division takes special care to provide programs to support them and highlight the home-school-military connections in our community.
To celebrate the Month of the Military Child in April, VBCPS and school liaison officers from local military bases are sponsoring an art contest that will showcase the unique experiences of military families in our community. The Art of Being a Military Child contest is open to all VBCPS students. Submission topics include, but are not limited to the following:
- Parents/family
- Teachers/school
- Transitions/change
- Cultural experiences
- Military lifestyle
- Wishes, hopes and dreams
- Life lessons
Original artwork can be in the medium of the student’s choice, but cannot be larger than 8.5” x 11” and must include a ¼” white boarder. All work should be clearly labeled with a title, student’s full name, grade, teacher’s name, and school name. Send entries to Anne G. Wolcott, fine arts coordinator for Virginia Beach schools, 2512 George Mason Drive, Virginia Beach, VA, 23456.
Winning artwork will be displayed at Lynnhaven Mall in April. Entries may also be forwarded to the Military Child Education Coalition for possible inclusion in national publications.