If this is the first time [...]]]> Welcome to Kitsap County on the Beautiful Kitsap Peninsula between the Olympic and Cascade Mountain ranges in Washington State. The Kitsap Peninsula area belongs to Navy Region Northwest with Naval Base Kitsapwhich includes Bremerton, Bangor and Keyport, Puget Sound Naval Shipyard (PSNS & IMF), and Naval Hospital Bremerton .

If this is the first time you have been stationed in the Puget Sound area, you are in for a treat. The Kitsap Peninsula area offers some of the best views of mountains and water as well as some of the best boating and recreational opportunities in the Greater Puget Sound Area. Within a mile radius you have several attractions and facilities to visit and explore. I always say I can be to the beach or the mountains in under an hour!

Public Schools

Where you choose to live while stationed with one of the Navy Region Northwest commands may very well depend on the school district you choose for your school age children. There are four school districts in the local area. The Bremerton School District , The South Kitsap School District , The North Kitsap School District and The Central Kitsap School District . The chart located below gives you a very broad look at the four districts side by side.

This is not an article about what people might think is the best district or the worst district. This article is to give you some information and some links so that you may start your search and find the district that best suits your family. There is more to a school district than its numbers, its test scores and its size. Factors such as location to employment for parents, local childcare and over all feel of community should be considered. After all the experience you and your family have in a certain school district is a direct reflection of your involvement.

You will want to make sure you do some research on the Washington State Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction website along with the OSPI Washington State Report Card . The Washington State PTA website can also give you the information about the program at each district which you can use to contact the parent organization and request newsletter and program information. Deciding on a school district can be very important so make sure you take your time and talk to as many other parents as possible.

Private Schools

Check here for the Private Schools Report for more information on Private schools in Kitsap County

Home School

There is a huge home schooling population in Kitsap County. Here are several links to help you find just the right fit.

HOMESCHOOL SUPPORT GROUPS IN
KITSAP COUNTY AND NORTH MASON

Kitsap
Eclectic Kitsap Homeschoolers’ Organization
E.K.H.O. is an inclusive group providing homeschool support and encouragement to a diverse, eclectic group of families seeking to educate their children at home.

hik4info
A list for homeschool related announcements only for Kitsap County.

Homeschooling In Kitsap – Information Only
A list for homeschool related announcements only for Kitsap County. No chat allowed, no stories, jokes, political information or other non-homeschool related issues.

Learning in Kitsap (LINK)
Homeschooling in Kitsap County? Interested in Field Trips, Play-dates, Park Days, Making Friends, Sharing Info and Ideas? Then LINK is the place for you! Contact us at linkhomeschoolgroup@yahoo.com.

Open Minded Homeschoolers In Kitsap
This list is for encouragement, support, and friendly chatter. It is open to anyone who is homeschooling or considering homeschooling.

Sovereign Spirit Homeschoolers
A real life homeschool group designed to network home schoolers living primarily in and around Kitsap County. We have no religious or political affiliation. There is no membership fee.

Choosing a school system is always an exhausting task. You may want to join some discussion boards and ask questions of those that are stationed here. You might try Military.com or TogetherWeServed (service member site). There are areas on those sites for some type of discussion.

Later this week I will post an article about what the shopping is like in the area. I know from being stationed in some remote areas that we always want to know what is “there” before we go.

Until then…Have a Fine Navy Day!!

Every year it is estimated that one third of Active Duty Military members have to plan and execute a permanent change of duty station or PCS in military speak. The most important part of a PCS is to take charge, it’s your PCS!! There is a ton of help out there but [...]]]>

Every year it is estimated that one third of Active Duty Military members have to plan and execute a permanent change of duty station or PCS in military speak. The most important part of a PCS is to take charge, it’s your PCS!! There is a ton of help out there but you are going to have to find and ask for it. The military will also help with the expense but you are going to have to know your allowances and your entitlements and you are going to have to request them and follow all the rules.

When it comes to a PCS you will find lots of people that are going to want to tell you how to do it, they will tell you what the rules are, they will tell you what they could or couldn’t do. As with anything else even though there are strict rules overseeing the military PCS process each command at each installation are full of individuals who will interpret the “rules” a million different ways so you need to know where to find the truth.

I have been a Navy Spouse for 4 years and during that time I have moved 3 times. All 3 of the moves were cross the country – West Coast to East Coast to West Coast to Alaska. I am now “home” and will be able to stay here for several years. I just give you this information so that you can feel comfortable with the information I am going to give and to help us start building that relationship of trust. I know people do business with those they trust and I want to be the one person you can trust when it comes to any of your real estate needs.

Over the next 4 weeks I will be writing a series on relocation to Naval Base Kitsap.

Week One – Take Charge | Know Your PCS

Week one will feature four articles that will deal with the nuts and bolts of a PCS. You need to know what to do prior to your move. I will touch on the subjects of allowances, entitlements, planning a moving calendar to incorporate “to do lists”, and research of your new area with an installation overview. We will also explore the local housing market and discuss the aspects of homeownership in Kitsap County.

Week Two – Close-up | Bremerton, Silverdale, Port Orchard

Week two will feature four articles about the place you are going to call home. We will look at the areas to reside, the local shopping scene, school district information and those special base amenities.

Week Three – Let’s Have Some Fun | Out & About Area Attractions

Week three will be spent reading about the new area you will be calling home, the beautiful Kitsap Peninsula on West Puget Sound. This week I will be writing about local attractions, the local art scene, the parks and what there is to do around town and local.

Week Four – Make it a Vacation on the Navy | Day Trips and Mini Vacations.

I know that after I am settled in and have explored the local area I always like to find out what is on the out skirts. This week I will post some articles about what there is to do in the “Greater Puget Sound” area. Become a tourist in your own backyard and enjoy the so many Puget Sound attractions.

So hang on – we are in for a ride and when we are done we will be neighbors –

Let me be the first to WELCOME YOU to Naval Base Kitsap,

on the beautiful Kitsap Peninsula of West Puget Sound!