Making the right decision

  • Published
  • By Sgt. 1st Class Alex Licea
  • Special Operations Command South Public Affairs
HOMESTEAD AIR RESERVE BASE, Fla. --  Representatives from more than 39 different schools across Miami-Dade County were on hand during the Miami-Dade County Public Schools Expo and Curricular Fair held at Homestead Air Reserve Base, Fla., Oct 12.

The event was hosted by Special Operations Command South, the 482nd Fighter Wing and Dr. Lawrence S. Feldman, Vice Chair of the Miami-Dade County School Board.

The purpose of the school expo was to grant military families stationed at Homestead Air Reserve Base and living across the surrounding communities an opportunity to learn about the various services and programs from several schools across the area.

"It is our job to come to the base and inform our service men and women about our schools so that military families are confident when looking at a school that suits their children's needs," said Dr. Feldman. "We are here to support our military families."

During the expo, military members of all branches of service and their families were able to speak with school administrators from several different schools and learn about the education programs that are offered.

With more than 370,000 students and 50,000 employees, Miami-Dade County is the 4th largest school system in the U.S.

For Air Force Tech. Sgt. Miguel Gavilan, assigned to Special Operations Command South and serves as a Non-commissioned Officer for the Air Force element of the unit's personnel section, he feels events like this allow him to make informed decisions when it comes to his 4-year-old son and his academic future. Gavilan's wife and son are coming to Homestead from Germany next month.

"The expo was very beneficial for me and my family because I did not know what schools and programs were available in the area, which fit my son's linguistic needs," he said. "This function allowed me to talk to every school representative and learn about their programs, and it was great to speak face-to-face with many of the school's administrators rather than over the phone."

The evening concluded with remarks by U.S. Navy Rear Admiral Thomas L. Brown II, the commander of SOCSOUTH. Rear Adm. Brown expressed his gratitude to Dr. Feldman, his staff, and the various school officials for taking the time to come and talk to servicemembers and their families and hopes to hold another school expo in the future.