FORT IRWIN, Calif. -- On a cool, summer morning children and parents traveled the sidewalks and drove the streets of Fort Irwin as they headed back to school, Aug. 7.
Just a few days before training for a new rotation begins, Soldiers and spouses accompanied their young students to Lewis Elementary School, Fort Irwin Middle School, and Tiefort View Intermediate School; high school students were transported by bus to Silver Valley High in Yermo, Calif.
National Training Center Chief of Staff Col. Richard Wilson and spouse Relisa went to FIMS and TVIS with their children. The first day back-to-school activity adds to the small-town feel of the community here, said Wilson. Relisa said that by accompanying sons and daughters to schools, parents are sending a great message about the importance of education.
The colonel added that for Soldiers and families, who arrived here this past PCS season, it was a great way to start the school year. Having Soldiers escort their children to school, a day before roll-out for the rotational training unit, says a lot about the balance of mission and family life here, he said.
Capt. Michael Watkins, with Goldminer Team in Operations Group here, and wife Sarai took Michael Jr., 6, to first grade at Lewis Elementary. Later, they escorted daughter Khakla, 10, to her fifth grade class at TVIS. Watkins reiterated the significance of participating in a child's first day to a new school or higher grade.
"It sets the tone for the school year," Watkins said. "Kids get to realize how important education is when they see parents engaged."
Yalicia, 5, and sister Yalia, 7, walked with uncle, Capt. Jason King, deputy resident engineer with Army Corps of Engineers here, to Lewis Elementary. The sisters would be attending the school for the first time. Yalia said she was excited about making new friends.
"I'm excited about learning a lot of new things," said Yalicia, a new second grader.
The FIMS principal, Michael Sullivan, revealed a huge grin just as the first bell rang, indicating the start of school for the mass of students assemble in a courtyard. On the first day of school, things don't always go as planned, but can be worked out, he implied with a hint of satisfaction.
"The first days shows that even when things don't go right, because of the systems we have in place, everyone knows what to do -- even the new people."
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