DoDEA

ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA — December 1, 2008 — The Department of Defense Education Activity will host the U.S. Deputy Secretary of Education Raymond Simon at W.W. Ashurst Elementary School on Marine Corps Base Quantico on Wed., Dec. 3, to recognize the school’s success as a Domestic Dependent Elementary and Secondary School (DDESS) and to announce the donation of more than 12,000 new books to the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves Toys for Tots Program. This 2008 Holiday Book Donation is part of a multi-year effort of the U.S. Department of Education, First Book and other major U.S. publishing companies to promote literacy and supply books to children in need.

Deputy Secretary Simon and DDESS Director Elaine Beraza will also discuss a Memorandum of Understanding between the Department of Education and the Department of Defense that was recently signed to strengthen partnership activities serving the needs of children of military families. The MOU defines the basis on which the departments will work together to strengthen and expand school-based efforts to ease student transitions and help students of military families develop the academic skills that will last a lifetime, as well as coping skills during deployment periods. Approximately 1,118,000 school-aged students will benefit from partnership activities.

Following the school visit, Deputy Secretary Simon and Lt. Gen. Pete Osman, President and CEO of Toys for Tots will tour a local Toys for Tots warehouse facility. There will be media availability and a photo opportunity.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2008

WHO:
U.S. Deputy Secretary of Education Raymond Simon
Lt. Gen. Pete Osman, USMC (ret.), President and CEO Marine Toys for Tots Foundation
Col. Charles A. Dallachie, Base Commander, Marine Corps Base Quantico
Dr. Elaine Beraza, Director, DOD Domestic Dependent Elementary and Secondary Schools
Michael Gould, District Superintendent New York, Virginia and Puerto Rico
Jan Weiss, Principal, W.W. Ashurst Elementary School

WHAT:

• School event, honoring military children
• 2008 Holiday Book Donation of nearly 12,000 children’s books for Toys for Tots
• Tour of local U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots warehouse facility

WHERE:
W.W. Ashurst Elementary School
4320 Dulaney Street
Quantico, Va.

Second media opportunity for Toys for Tots donation:
Toys for Tots Warehouse
3619 Jefferson Davis Highway, Suite 101
Stafford, Va.
703-784-2853

WHEN:
Wednesday, Dec. 3
10:30 a.m. - welcome, tour, classroom visits and reading to students
11:10 a.m. - remarks
12:05 a.m. - tour Toys for Tots warehouse off base (photo op.)

NOTE: Members of the news media, please R.S.V.P. to Elaine Quesinberry at 202-401-3017 or elaine.quesinberry@ed.gov; or Connie Gillette at 703-588-3272 or Connie.Gillette@hq.dodea.edu by COB on Tuesday, Dec. 2 to allow for security measures. A base map is also located on the Quantico Marine Corps Base website at http://www.quantico.usmc.mil/guide/map_mainBig.html.

DoDEA plans, directs, coordinates, and manages the education programs for Department of Defense dependents who would otherwise not have access to a high-quality public education. DoDEA consists of the Department of Defense Dependents Schools located overseas, and the Department of Defense Domestic Dependent Elementary and Secondary Schools located in the United States and its territories and possessions. DoDEA provides education to eligible DoD military and civilian dependents from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade. DoDEA also provides support and resources to Local Education Activities throughout the U.S. that serve children of military families.

For specific information pertaining to the events that will be sponsored in DoDEA schools in your area, please contact a local school principal. To learn more visit NEA's website at http://www.nea.org/aew.