February Education Updates

1. Scholarship Database – Attention Seniors. Are you heading to college in the fall? The Joint Service Scholarship Database lists over 1,000 scholarships that you might be eligible to apply for. The database can be found at https://partners-in-purpose.com/ Please note that this site cannot be accessed on a government device.

2. FRHSD: The next College and Career Planning Event will be held on March 5th at 6:00pm at Colts Neck High School. The topic of this event will be 9th and 10th Grade Post-Secondary Planning and is intended for 9th and 10th grade students and their families.

3. Colts Neck Township Schools Preschool Parent Open House will be held on February 19,2026 at 10:00am and 6:30pm. This is a tuition based preschool program with eligibility through a lottery. The Open House information can be found in the newsletter at the following link: https://app.smore.com/n/ca3vq9.

4. The Military Interstate Compact addresses key issues encountered by military families: eligibility, enrollment, placement, and graduation. If you want more information, see the School Liaison or sign up for a free webinar training at https://mic3.net/.

5. WRITING CONTEST | Do you know a child in a military family that loves to write? Tell them to enter the Stars and Stripes America 250 Essay contest for a chance to be published and win $100.

Essay Question: How has being part of a military (or military-affiliated) family shaped how you think about America?

Category Guidelines: High School youth currently in grades 9-12 may submit an essay up to 600 words. Middle School youth currently in grades 6-8 may submit an essay up to 400 words. Elementary School youth currently in grades 5 and below may submit an essay up to 200 words.

Eligibility: The Stars and Stripes America 250 Youth Essay Contest is open to all youth dependents of DOW ID card holders.

Entrants must be under the age of 19.

How to Enter: https://europe.stripes.com/kids/america-250-essay-contest.html

Email the filled entry form to: america250essay@stripes.com DEADLINE: Monday, Feb. 16, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. your local time. Winners will be notified via email. They will then be announced on Stars and Stripes community websites on Tuesday, April 7, 2026.

6. School Calendar

CNSD
February 12 Short Session Day for Students
February 13-16 Presidents' Day Weekend - Schools/Central Office Closed
February 25 Short Session Day - Parent/Teacher Conferences (Afternoon)
February 26 Short Session Day - Parent/Teacher Conferences (Afternoon & Evening)
February 27 Short Session Day Students & Staff

FRHSD
February 13 Early Dismissal
February 16 School Closed - President's Day

7. The School Liaison program has a new website. The NWS Earle site can be found at https://www.navymwrearle.com/child-youth/school-liaison. The site features information on schools, K-12 Special Needs & EFMP, Youth Sponsorship, FAQ’s, Resources and Forms. It will also have a section for Current News and a place where you can sign up to receive text notifications from the School Liaison. If there is additional content that you would like to see added, please contact me at ida.m.westjones.naf@us.navy.mil.