Military Resources and Connections

This newsletter provides important Tom Lea Elementary campus resources along with community resources designed to support our military-connected families. Our goal is to keep families informed, connected, and supported throughout the school year.

If you have any questions or need additional assistance, please contact Mrs. Carolina Alarcón, MFL, at cialarco@episd.org or (915) 230-5450.

If you need assistance with registration, Mrs. Samantha Green or Mrs. Melissa Kuharik are available to help guide you through the process.

If your family will be transferring to another school or district, or if you are PCSing, please contact Mrs. Green or Mrs. Kuharik to begin the withdrawal process for your child(ren) from Tom Lea Elementary and complete the required Exit Survey.

After your move, to request student records, please have the receiving campus submit a request through Scribbles using the link below:
https://episd.scriborder.com/

Thank you for your attention to this process. We wish your family all the best in your next chapter!

America’s Kids Run — Ready, Set, GO!

Join thousands of military families worldwide for America’s Kids Run, a high‑energy celebration of fitness, family, and our Armed Forces 👟🎉. Join us May 2, 9–11 AM at Bliss Smith Field for a morning full of excitement. Kids 17 & under run free, adults 18+ are $5, and all ages are welcome. The 5K starts at 10:00 AM and the 1‑mile run at 10:05 AM. Register at the Youth Sports Plex (195 Chaffee Rd) or scan the QR code below. Cash‑only payments accepted at the Plex or on race day.

For questions, call (915) 568‑2617. Lace up and let’s make it a day to remember ❤️💙

May 23 2026, 8 am - 2 pm
Typically repeats monthly on Saturdays.

FIRST AID CPR & AED TRAINING 2026

DATES: 8AM-2PM
MAY 23
JUN 19
JUL 11
SEP 12
OCT 10
NOV 14
Earn your American Red Cross Lifeguard, CPR/First Aid/AED certification!

For More INFO: 915-741-5901

Cost

$40

Registration Information

Train at the Aquatics Training Center. Registration is required. No prerequisites necessary. Open to the public.

Join us in cheering on our Tom Lea Cheerleaders and Student Ambassadors as they proudly represent our school at the Fort Bliss Armed Forces Parade! 🇺🇸

📍 Smith–Bliss Field
🗓 Saturday, May 16
⏰ Parade begins at 10:00 AM

Stick around after the parade to enjoy vendors and exciting exhibitions until 2:00 PM. Bring your family and come show your support, we hope to see you there!

(915) 230-5450

Camp Corral provides specialized recreational programs for military children that build confidence, coping skills, and connections. Through education, research, and advocacy, Camp Corral supports children of wounded, ill, and fallen service members by helping them develop life skills, resilience, and independence while forming meaningful friendships and experiencing personal growth.

https://www.campcorral.org/camps/

The Child Crisis Center of El Paso provides assistance with rent or mortgage, utilities, and basic needs for veterans, active-duty service members, surviving spouses, and dependents.

If you have questions or would like to see if you qualify, please contact them at (915) 562-7955.

The Armed Services YMCA (ASYMCA) is the constant in a military family’s life: on the home front and during deployment, when transitioning between bases, and in times of conflict and peace.

The ASYMCA is an Association of the YMCA of the USA, specifically dedicated to serving active duty junior enlisted military service members and their families of all six armed services: Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, and Coast Guard. The oldest military support organization in the U.S., the ASYMCA has been “Strengthening Our Military Family®” since 1861 through its 12 branches and 24 affiliate partners, serving 87 military installations and facilities nationwide. Our nationally and locally tailored programs and services for our nation’s troops and their families are offered at no or low cost and require no dues or membership fees. For more information: https://elpaso.asymca.org

Army Emergency Relief- Fort Bliss, TX

Overview

Army Emergency Relief is the U.S. Army's own nonprofit organization dedicated to alleviating financial distress on the force. AER provides grants and zero-interest loans to Active Duty and Retired Soldiers and their Families. Over 4 million Soldiers supported since 1942. AER officers are conveniently located at installations around the world. Visit ArmyEmergencyRelief.org to learn more.

Eligibility

The following individuals are eligible for AER assistance in accordance with Army Regulation 930-4:

• Soldiers on active duty and their eligible dependents.
• Army Reserve and National Guard Soldiers activated on Title 10 orders for more than 30 days and their eligible dependents.
• Soldiers retired for longevity, medical, or upon reaching age 60 (reserve component) and their eligible dependents.
• Surviving spouses who have not remarried and children of Soldiers who died on active duty or died after reaching retirement eligibility.

The Military Child Education Coalition (MCEC) offers a variety of webinars for military families and those who support them. These webinars cover topics like school transitions, resilience, children with exceptional needs, and more. They aim to provide research-based information and support for navigating the unique challenges faced by military-connected children.

Tutor.com for U.S. Military Families

Funded by the DoD MWR Library Program, Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program, and Navy General Library Program.Get homework and studying help from a professional tutor any time you need it. FREE for students in Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, National Guard and Reserve families. Expert tutors are online 24/7 and available to help in more than 16 subjects, including test prep, proofreading, Math, Science, English and Social Studies.

The National Military Family Association (NMFA) is a nonprofit founded in 1969 that advocates for and supports military families. For over 55 years, it has been a trusted resource for policymakers on the challenges military families face, including deployments, frequent moves, financial strain, and the lasting impacts of war. Beyond advocacy, NMFA provides direct programs that strengthen financial security, well-being, and quality of life—such as scholarships for spouses, teen support, and camps for kids. NMFA serves families of all U.S. service branches, including active duty, veterans, retirees, wounded, and fallen members.