Back to school in the Benelux

Photo By Sandra Wilson | Elementary students and their Families visit teachers’ classrooms during the U.S. Elementary Open House event at AFNorth International School, Aug. 25, 2022. With the start of a new school year just around the corner, preparation has begun to welcome back students and orient newcomers. (Photo by Sandra Wilson, USAG Benelux Public Affairs)  

CHIEVRES, HAINAUT (WAL), BELGIUM

08.09.2023

Story by Sandra Wilson 

U.S. Army Garrison Benelux

CHIEVRES AIR BASE, Belgium – For most U.S. children in the U.S. Army Garrison Benelux community, the first day of a new school year is just around the corner.

Preparing for that first day can seem daunting, especially as a newcomer to the area, but it doesn’t have to be. There are plenty of resources for registering your child, coordinating bus transportation, gathering school supplies and more. Front offices and School Liaison Officers at each installation are also available to answer questions and provide help as needed.

To aid in a smooth start for parents and children alike, we’ve gathered information for U.S. schools at each USAG Benelux installation. Please note that the information listed below is evolving and may not be fully comprehensive. For additional details, please contact your installation’s SLO or the front office at each school.

- USAG Benelux School Page: https://home.army.mil/benelux/index.php/my-fort/schools
- DoDEA School Registration (for all U.S. schools): https://www.dodea.edu/registration/europe-region
- DoDEA Immunization Requirements: https://dodea.widen.net/s/l9srfnwnws/dodea-immunization-requirements-sy-23-24
- DoDEA Dress Code: https://www.dodea.edu/education/education-policy-and-operations/dodea-school-dress-code-effective-school
- DoDEA Europe School Supply List (some locations may have school-specific supply lists): https://main1.prod.acquia.dodea.edu/europe/europe-return-school-sy-23-24/official-school-supply-guidelines

AFNORTH International School

Combined School Calendar: https://dodea.widen.net/s/2gxrkvzfhg/afnorth-complex-calendar-sy-23-24

AFNORTH International School website and Facebook
https://afnorth-is.com/
https://www.facebook.com/AFNORTHschool

Starting Dates

Aug. 21 - U.S. Elementary School

Aug. 21 - U.S. Middle/High School

Aug. 28 - U.S. Kindergarten and Pre-Kindergarten

School Orientation/Events

U.S. Middle/High School

Aug. 16 - New Student Orientation at 10 a.m. at the AFNORTH International School Cafeteria

A guided tour will be offered following the information session

U.S. Elementary School

Aug. 16 - New Student Orientation at 11 a.m. at the AFNORTH International School Cafeteria

An opportunity to meet teachers will be provided during the Elementary School Open House

Aug. 16 - Child and Youth Center Ice Cream Social and Program Overview from 1 to 5 p.m. at JFC Brunssum Bldg. H-602

Aug. 18 - Back to School Bash from 5 to 7 p.m. at the AFNORTH International School

Bus/Transportation

Bus Coordinator

Office: [phone]

Mobile: [phone]

Email: [e-mail]

Guidelines and Registration: https://afnorth-is.com/transportation-buses/

School Lunch

Hot lunch provided with a variety of international dishes with vegetarian options. Learn more about lunch guidelines and registration procedures: https://afnorth-is.com/catering-2/

U.S. Elementary School – 3.75 Euro per meal

Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten classes eat in their classrooms

1st through 5th grades eat in the school cafeteria

U.S. Middle/High School – 4.25 Euro per meal

All grades eat in the school cafeteria

School Specific Supply Lists

U.S. Elementary School: https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=621018676791144&set=pcb.621019803457698

U.S. Middle/High School: https://www.facebook.com/AfnorthUSMHS/posts/pfbid0Ei2ivtH4HDwTCd2YRkz8m5PSWXMPGJTh2h5sgCLUUR3YZrSAZ2kJgj1XSUdgvPcDl

School Information

U.S. Elementary School: https://afnorthes.dodea.edu/

Phone: [phone]

Attendance email: [e-mail]

AFNORTH U.S. Elementary School Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/AfnorthES/

Student Handbook: https://afnorthes.dodea.edu/school-handbook

Classes are in session from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., with early release every Wednesday at 2 p.m.

U.S. Middle/High School: https://afnorthmhs.dodea.edu/

Phone: [phone]/8263

Registrar email: [e-mail]

AFNORTH U.S. Middle/High School Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AfnorthUSMHS

Student Handbook: https://afnorthmhs.dodea.edu/school-handbook

Classes are in session from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., with early release every Wednesday at 2 p.m.

School Liaison Officers:

The Netherlands

Phone: [phone]/3033

Email: [e-mail]

Germany

Phone: [phone]

Email: [e-mail]



Brussels American School

Starting Dates

Aug. 21 - 1st through 12th Grade

Aug. 28 - Kindergarten

School Orientation/Events

Aug. 17 - New Parent/Student Orientation from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Brussels American School Multi-purpose Room

Aug. 18 - Back to School Welcome Event from 9 a.m. to noon at the Brussels American School Multi-purpose Room

For new and returning students

Sept. 7 - Brussels American School Open House from 3:30 to 6 p.m.

Bus/Transportation

Bus Coordinator

Office: [phone]/99 10/ 99 14

Email: [e-mail]

Guidelines and Registration: https://brusselsehs.dodea.edu/school-student-transportation

School Meals

Breakfast and lunch meals available. Learn more about meal guidelines, reduced-price meal program eligibility, and registration procedures: https://brusselsehs.dodea.edu/school-meals-program

Breakfast:

Reduced-price: $.30

Full-price: $2.00

Lunch:

Reduced-price: $.40

Full-price (Elementary School) - $3.50

Full-price (Middle/High School) - $3.75

School Specific Supply List

Kindergarten through 5th grade: https://dodea.widen.net/s/jzkpqzrqjj/brussels-ehs-school-supply-list-sy-23-24

School Information

Brussels American School: https://brusselsehs.dodea.edu/

Phone: [phone]

Registrar email: [e-mail]

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BrusselsCS

Student Handbook: https://brusselsehs.dodea.edu/school-handbook

All grades have early release every Wednesday at 2:15 p.m.

School Liaison Officer

Phone: [phone] (Brussels office)

Phone: [phone] (SHAPE office)

Email: [e-mail]



Dülmen Tower Barracks School Information

For Families in the Dülmen area, please contact the Non-DoD Schools Program in Germany: https://www.dodea.edu/non-dod-schools

Phone: [phone]

Non-DoD Schools Program Orientation Handbook: https://content.dodea.edu/teach_learn/partnership/ndsp/ndsp_orientation/index.html



SHAPE International School

Combined School Calendar: https://dodea.widen.net/s/wmhjbvfvfl/shape-complex-calendar-sy-23-24

SHAPE International School website: https://shape2day.com/community/education/shape-school

Starting Dates

Aug. 16 - American Elementary School

Aug. 16 - American Middle School

Aug. 16 - American High School

Aug. 23 - American Kindergarten and PSCD (special needs pre-school)

School Orientation/Events

SHAPE American Elementary School

Aug. 10 - New Parent Orientation (1st through 5th Grade) from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. at the school cafeteria

Aug. 14 - New Parent Orientation (1st through 5th Grade) from 11 a.m. to noon in the school cafeteria

Aug. 15 - “Sneak-A-Peek" (all students) from 3 to 4 p.m.

Find classrooms, meet the teachers and drop off school supplies

SHAPE American Middle School

Parent-Teacher-Student Organization School Store Open

Aug. 14 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Aug. 15 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Aug 16 from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Aug. 17 from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

SHAPE American High School

Aug. 15 - Student-led Tours from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Drop-in anytime at the front of the school

Aug. 15 - SHAPE American Schools Back to School Expo (all grades) from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. at the SHAPE American Elementary School

Bus/Transportation

Tip: Upon your arrival, check with the bus office before selecting a home to ensure it receives bus services. Call the bus office and give them the address to verify the community is on the list.

Bus Registration

Phone: [phone]

Office Hours: Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Bldg. 717, Room 120 (located between SHAPE Elementary School and the British Section using the side entrance)

Registration requirements (Active Duty sponsor):

Registration Form (available online or at the bus registration office)

Sponsor’s SHAPE ID

Student’s passport or birth certificate

Address for pick-up/drop-off

Registration requirements (Civilian sponsor):

Registration Form (available online or at the bus registration office)

Sponsor’s SHAPE ID

Sponsor’s Certificate of Assignment

Student’s passport or birth certificate

Address for pick-up/drop-off

General Bus Guidance: https://shapehs.dodea.edu/school-student-transportation

SHAPE-specific Information: https://shape2day.com/community/education/shape-intl-school/school-bus

School Lunch

Breakfast and lunch meals available. Learn more about meal guidelines, reduced-price meal program eligibility, and registration procedures: https://shapees.dodea.edu/school-meals-program

Breakfast:

Reduced-price: $.30

Full-price: $2.00

Lunch:

Reduced-price: $.40

Full-price (Elementary School) - $3.50

Full-price (Middle/High School) - $3.75

School Specific Supply Lists

SHAPE American Elementary School: https://www.facebook.com/shapeAmericanES/posts/pfbid0YQ4RpBen9sbhKzzbbfsV4iXtqddBAaxWfZChD8aoQmD6uM8tQVacc2F659caby6Vl

SHAPE American Middle School: https://www.facebook.com/SHAPEAmericanMS/posts/pfbid02Jh7puk377tmyhjZHKfi6Cv6TEhEYiFqi7X5Gb7JHV56LMNw4hL52sR5qKhwgpSPcl

School Information

SHAPE American Elementary School: https://shapees.dodea.edu/

Phone: [phone]

Registrar email: [e-mail]

SHAPE American Elementary School Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shapeAmericanES

Student Handbook: https://shapees.dodea.edu/school-handbook

Classes are in session from 8:45 a.m. to 3:25 p.m., with early release every Wednesday at 3:05 p.m.

SHAPE American Middle School: https://shapems.dodea.edu/

Phone: [phone]

Registrar email: [e-mail]

SHAPE American Middle School Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SHAPEAmericanMS

Student Handbook: https://shapems.dodea.edu/school-handbook

Classes are in session from 8:50 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., with early release every Wednesday at 3:05 p.m.

SHAPE American High School: https://shapehs.dodea.edu/

Phone: [phone]

SHAPE American High School Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SHAPEAmericanHS

Student Handbook: https://shapehs.dodea.edu/school-handbook

Classes are in session from 8:50 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., with early release every Wednesday at 3:05 p.m.

School Liaison Officer:

Phone: [phone] (Brussels office)

Phone: [phone] (SHAPE office)

Email: [e-mail]

• Date Taken: 08.09.2023
• Date Posted: 08.09.2023 07:35
• Story ID: 450997
• Location: CHIEVRES, HAINAUT (WAL), BE