School back in session for base children

SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. - Shauna McBrayer and son, Joshua McBrayer, 6, have breakfast at the youth center before Joshua begins his first day of kindergarten, at Meadow Lane Elementary school in Goldsboro, Aug 25, 2011. The youth center here has a program in which military children can come, have breakfast before school and board a school bus to either Greenwood Middle School or Meadow Lane Elementary School. Costs are determined by family income. Joshua is the son of Staff Sgt. Brandon McBrayer, weapons load crew member at the 334th Aircraft Maintenance Unit. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Senior Airman Marissa Tucker)(RELEASED)

School back in session for base children

Published Aug. 25, 2011
By Senior Airman Marissa Tucker
4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. -- Many Seymour Johnson families said goodbye to their summer vacation as several children began the school year here, Aug 25.

"Schools in North Carolina begin at several different times, but the schools we service here at the youth center begin today," said Chameka Brooks, school age coordinator at the youth center. "Here, parents can drop their children off, they can have breakfast and we will get them onto the school bus."

As the school year begins, speed limits on and off-base will be strictly enforced and more children will be on the streets and sidewalks. Airmen are cautioned to be vigilant while driving on-base.

With the new school year also comes new immunization requirements and physicals. Contacting the 4th Medical Group to schedule an appointment in advance can ensure children are ready for the school year.

"It's very important to make sure children know certain things, like parent's phone numbers and it is equally important to make sure the school has several ways to contact the parents," said Jasmine Carroll, youth programs chief at the youth center here.

Sports and after school-activities will also be in full swing on-base soon and parents are encouraged to sign-up their children early. The youth center also offers a 4-H Club and Boys and Girls clubs for children after school.

"We hope this will be the best school year ever," said Brooks. "We are as dedicated to our children as their parents are to the mission and we hope to make each day better than the next."