EDUCATION NOTES

New Family Orientation

Vogelweh Elementary school will be hosting a New Family Orientation at 9 a.m. Aug. 24. If you are a new family please feel free to come meet the administration, (Sandy Meacham, Principal and Jane Page, Assistant Principal) and tour the school. On 1 p.m. Aug. 27 VES will be having a Kindergarten Orientation. All kindergarten families are encouraged to attend this orientation to learn about school policies, procedures, classroom programs, meet the teacher and to sign up for the kindergarten home visits. All orientations will be held in building 1178 in the VES Cafeteria. Class lists will be posted Aug. 26 after 5 p.m.. School Year 2010 to 2011 will begin Aug. 30 for grades 1 to 5. If you have any questions, contact Julie Covert at 0631-536-6810.

University of Maryland Europe

University of Maryland Europe is celebrating its 60th academic year overseas today. The UMUC is hosting a barbeque and festivities from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Ramstein Outdoor Recreation Base Lake Area (located just down the street from MOMS, driving the direction of the KMCC Mall). They’ll have free t-shirts and other giveaway items and plenty of food to share with all. The event is open to the entire community.

Spouse Tuition Assistance Program

The deadline for Spouse Tuition Assistance Program Term 1 (classes starting between Aug. and Oct. 17) is 4:30 p.m., Aug. 30. The application for STAP (2010-2011 school year) is now available on-line. Air Force Aid Society’s STAP program increases the occupational opportunities for Air Force Spouses. It is available for all Active Duty Air Force Spouses accompanying their spouses overseas and pursuing a degree through one of the contracted schools and programs in Europe. A STAP award is a maximum of $300 per term, $1500 per year and matches the student’s out-of-pocket tuition payment. For more information on the STAP program contact the STAP Administrator Ms. Amanda Wicklund in Building 2120, room 421 or call the Education Center at 480-2032 or 06371-47-2032 or e-mail education@ramstein.af.mil

Changes to MyCAA Program

The Department of Defense My Career Advancement Account (MyCAA) program will be reactivated on October 25 and accepting new applicants under new eligibility requirements. The program is returning to its original intent to assist active-duty spouses of junior grade personnel (E1-E5, W1-W2 and O1-O2) seeking portable career training.  An eligible spouse can receive up to $4000 over three years for associate level degrees, certifications and licensures. For more information on the MyCAA program please visit www.militaryonesource.com or call 1-800-342-9647. Spouses accepted under the previous MyCAA program rules are eligible to continue their program through the current term dates. New guidelines start Oct. 25. All eligible spouses must exhaust their MyCAA funding or show proof of ineligibility before they are STAP eligible

CCAF Oct. Class Deadline

Members pursuing a Community College of the Air Force degree must submit all transcripts to arrive at CCAF on, or before Aug. 27. Official transcripts must be sent directly from the academic institution to CCAF/DESS, 100 S. Turner Blvd, Maxwell Gunter AF, AL 36114-3011. Members can view their CCAF progress reports at the Air Force Virtual Education Center on the Air Force Portal. For questions and individual counseling, call 480-2032 or e-mail education@ramstein.af.mil.

Professional Military Education/CDC Electronic Examinations

Air University has given the Base Education Center the green light to begin conducting Electronic Examinations (E-exams) for CDCs and Professional Military Education (PME)  – Squadron Officers School (SOS Courses 20/28), Senior Non-Commissioned Officers Academy (SNCOA Course 14).   Members who are in need of taking PME or CDC E-exams are advised to contact the Base Education Center to be scheduled.  E-exams are conducted 8 a.m. and 1 p.m.  Mondays and Wednesdays. Because of the large number of individuals needing to take their tests, test slots are going to be very tight. Therefore, those members who are not able to make their appointments will need to call the Ramstein Education Center to have their names removed from the schedule. To be scheduled, individuals may call 480-2032 or visit the education center at Bldg. 2120, Rm. 421.

Air Force ROTC Scholarships

Packages for Air Force ROTC Scholarships for Outstanding Airmen to ROTC (SOAR) must be submitted to the Ramstein Education Center not later than Aug. 14. SOAR allows commanders to select outstanding active-duty Airmen for an ROTC scholarship. If selected, Airmen will be discharged from active duty to pursue a commission through AFROTC. The scholarship pays for annual college tuition and fees up to $18,000, plus a $750 textbook allowance. A monthly non-taxable allowance is also earned during the school year. Selected Airmen may pursue any academic field that leads to their first bachelor’s degree. The length of scholarship is based on the time needed to finish degree work as a full-time student, but Airmen must have at least 2 years remaining in college. Airmen with prior service must be commissioned under 31 years of age on Dec. 1 of the year they are commissioned.