Howdy y’all and buck up for this weeks news 6 update!

Surveys Out for DOD Schools

If your child attends a DODEA school anywhere in the world, you can now have your opinions heard thanks to the DODEA stakeholder feedback survey.

This survey, open until February 4th, is voluntary, anonymous, and open to any parent of the approximately 67,000 students enrolled in DODEA schools in the continental United States and abroad.

Make sure to check your DoDEA student information email address or find the survey at DODEA.edu/data center.

Have multiple children with their own unique experiences within the school system?

You may fill out a survey for each child individually.

Separate surveys for students in 4-12 grade and DODEA educators will be rolling out in the near future. 

The survey questions will not only involve questions of education but will include questions of safety, belonging, and overall feelings on the school system.

Older children will be asked questions about diversity, inclusion and equity, while parents will be asked about physiological aspects and workers will be asked about workplace environments.

“A high response rate provides our schools with valuable information about their programs and is part of our continual efforts to improve the quality of education provided to students of military and DoD-connected families,” DODEA director Thomas Brady said with the announcement of the survey 

DODEA will be taking these results and implementing them to make a better future or students, parents, educators who make up their school family.

Here’s to a bright future for our military brats! May this survey empower their parents and educators to lead the charge for the best education they can possibly receive!  

For more information please go to dodea.edu

VA Foots the Bill for Mental Health Emergencies 

As of January 17, veterans have access to free mental health services through the Department of Veterans Affairs, whether they are enrolled in the VA or not and whether or not they seek help at VA hospitals or civilian. 

Through this new policy veterans can receive 90 days of outpatient care and 30 days inpatient.

“Veterans in suicidal crisis can now receive the free, world-class emergency health care they deserve — no matter where they need it, when they need it, or whether they’re enrolled in VA care,”.”VA Secretary Denis McDonough said in a statement on the policy. “This expansion of care will save veterans’ lives, and there’s nothing more important than that.”

By expanding eligibility the hope to reach upwards of nine million veterans who are currently not enrolled in the VA.

This new policy also takes care of copays and transportation costs and fees.

With the relentless fight to save soldiers and veterans lives in the ever growing mental health crisis, this important step is not just a helping hand, it’s a lifeline. 

If a veteran in your life is struggling and needs immediate help, please dial 988 to call the veterans crisis line. 

Find out more at taskandpurpose.com

Frogmen Swim to Honor Seals

In Tampa Bay, Florida, for the 14th year in a row locals gathered to swim the frigid waters to honor fallen Navy Seals on January 15th.

The Tampa Bay Frogman Swim involves a 3.4 mile watery trek from St. Petersburg to Tampa Bay.

These 150 something  brave athletes are not just swimming for their health. Instead they devote their time and training to raise money for the Navy Seal Foundation. 

Many Gold Star families line the water with posters remembering and honoring their fallen navy seals. 

Commander Dan O’Shea USNR, and a former SEAL started the event fourteen years ago and did not expect much of a turnout, especially as the weather in January, even in Florida, is unpredictable and choppy cold waters. But that first year they raised thousands of dollars. This year they raised close to a million. All of the money going to help gold star and naval families.

It has become a community tradition for the Tampa Bayers and a beautiful way to give back. 

“Kind of a grassroots event. It was a couple of Seals and a few other people that got together just to raise money for a guy who had lost his legs in Afghanistan,” Race Director Kurt Ott told local news channel WTSP.

 

“About seven or eight years ago, we started selling out in about 15 minutes. When we open a registration in August, we have a waitlist of about 100 people as well.”

We are proud of you frogmen! Way to put the money where the sea is! Find out more at wtsp.com and navysealfoundation.org

Today in History:

The Lone Ranger Rides Through the Radio

The legendary American hero, the Lone Ranger, premiered on WXYZ out of Detroit on this day in 1933.

The radio series soon took off! First going national, then migrating to comic books in the 1950s, and then off to the silver screen soon after.

He still stands as a household name today.

Earle Greaser, the original voice of the Lone Ranger, went on to play his character for 1300 episodes before passing away in 1941. 

Here’s a fun fact for you, consumers did not learn the Lone Rangers first name until 1953. It’s John, by the way. John Reid.

Hi Ho Silver!  To this piece of Americana history! Away! Find out more at history.com

That’s it for me! This is Emma Tighe with News 6. Where information empowers.