MHAFB, Stephensen Elementary improve educational opportunities for children

Volunteers paint the gym at Stephensen Elementary School at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, August 9, 2014. More than 150 volunteers gathered to paint both the interior and exterior of the building before the start of a new school year. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Samuel Morse/RELEASED)

MHAFB, Stephensen Elementary improve educational opportunities for children

A volunteer paints around the edge of a window at Stephenson Elementary school at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, August 9, 2014. The school was renamed in August of this year as a tribute to Air Force Col. Lance Stephenson and his family. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Benjamin Sutton/RELEASED)

MHAFB, Stephensen Elementary improve educational opportunities for children

Published Oct. 29, 2014
By Staff Sgt. Benjamin Sutton
366th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

MOUNTAIN HOME AIR FORCE BASE, Idaho -- The last remaining elementary school on base has gone through quite a makeover during the last few months and more changes are on the horizon.

The school was officially renamed Stephensen Elementary School in August of this year as a tribute to Air Force Col. Mark L. Stephensen and his family. Stephensen was declared missing in action in April 1967. He was stationed at MHAFB during that time.

The new name was only the beginning. Work began outside with the installation of a new flag pole and then moved inside as150 volunteers from nearly all squadrons on base came together Aug. 9 and 10 to paint before the start of the new school year.

"The school recently also received a facelift of sorts and it looks great," said Phil McCluskey, Stephensen Elementary School principal, at a Mountain Home school board meeting Oct. 21. "Many volunteers from the base came out to repaint the interior and exterior with supplies donated by Operation Homefront. It was a lot of work but the results are fantastic."

Additionally, Balfour-Beatty Communities donated and installed landscaping for the entire front of the school building.

"The entire process was a gargantuan integrated effort that resulted in what amounts to a nearly complete makeover of the school," said Mike Jewell, 366th Force Support Squadron school liaison officer.

McCluskey explained there are more opportunities and plans in the works in order to ensure the success of area children.

"The Adopt-a-classroom program is one collaboration we have with the base where squadrons are essentially assisting teachers by providing volunteers to help in any way that is necessary," he said. "The 428th Fighter Squadron, Republic of Singapore Air Force in particular, is going to be providing lessons on Singaporean culture and language."

Tasks include everything from helping grade papers to monitoring the classroom or playground. A Military Family Life counselor will serve children and families with issues affecting their success.

Stephensen Elementary has a student census of around 300 military dependent children.

"The school has an active volunteer Parent-Teacher Partnership which provides funding and instruction for a student art curriculum," said Jewell. "The PTP also funds and facilitates many events throughout the school year in cooperation with the school. In these times of consistent budget cuts within the school district, efforts such as this prove beneficial to all interested parties."

The educational opportunities happening at Stephensen will be moving into other Mountain Home School District schools in the future.

"We are working toward having an afterschool science program available in the next few months," said McCluskey. "The beautiful thing about this specific program is that once it's funded it will continue into the summer. That means it will go to the schools in town as well."

The bottom line is the renovations and new educational opportunities will mean more smiles and most importantly, changed lives for all area youth.