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Navy helps students adjust to new schools

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Adjusting to new classes, friends and situations can be difficult for students, and even more difficult for students with parents who serve in the military.

The Navy is helping make the transition easier for students.

Command Master Chief Bill Houlihan said he knows how hard it is for military families to move every few years. He was transferred in June to Naval Station Mayport from California.

Houlihan’s daughter Kamryn will start her freshman year of high school soon, which can be daunting when you don't know anyone.

“It was a little difficult moving away from all my friends,” said Kamryn.

School liaison officer Sharon Kasica said she can help students facing that type of situation.

“My job is to acclimate the children as they transfer into the school system flawlessly,” Kasica said.

Kasica speaks with about 100 families a month who are worried about their childind making the transition into new schools. One of those calls was from the Houlihan family.

“Within that 30 minutes of hanging up the phone with her, I knew everything was going to be OK,” Rebecca Houlihan, Kamryn’s mother.

Kasica said the schools have military life family counselors, with 18 in Duval County and 22 in Clay County. The counselors can help with anything from bullying to deployment of a family member.

The counselors also have a resiliency program led by students who hand out tips and techniques to help new classmates adjust.

“It’s her first year in high school, so that's potentially traumatic enough, but without assistance, that had (the) potential to be stressful, and it’s not. It hasn't been,” Bill Houlihan said.

“Once your children are taken care of, then you can focus on your job and mission,” Kasica said.

Kamryn said she is going to try out for volleyball and softball this year to make friends.

For more information, call Kasica at 904-270-6289 x1305 or email her at sharon.kasica@navy.mil. You can also email mayportslo@navy.mil.

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