Mary Redito, School Counselor
Redito.Mary@BrevardSchools.org
(321)768-0465 ext. 47024
Purple Star - Military Families
SCHOOL BASED MILITARY POINT OF CONTACT:
Christa McAuliffe Elementary Values Our Military Families
Christa McAuliffe Elementary School was established in 1986 and was named after Sharon Christa McAuliffe, an American teacher and astronaut from Concord, New Hampshire who died on the Space Shuttle Challenger, where she was serving as a payload specialist. Christa McAuliffe Elementary was one of the first schools built to honor the gifted teacher who was going to communicate with students while in orbit and the first American civilian selected to go into space. Over the years, the community has grown and has welcomed many military families, working in the space and engineering field. Throughout the years at Christa McAuliffe, we have recognized events and activities, such as various Purple Up! Day, Patriot's Day and Veteran Day through activities which provide our students opportunities to showcase our military families.
Transition Planning for Military Families
Patrick SFB School Liaison contact information:
Susan Clark, School Liaison Program Manager
Susan.clark.8@spaceforce.mil
321-494-1991
On Facebook @ PatrickCYES.SLO
https://www.gopatrickfl.com/youth-programs.html
With each and every move, military children face many school-related challenges. The Patrick Space Base School Liaison can provide information about transition planning, academic options and resources with regards to the local area as well as connect you to the School Liaison at your next installation when transition to another location.
Transition Steps:
1. Register and enroll at school of choice.
2. Identify as Active Military Duty
3. Fill out a form for student(s) in family to meet with Military Family Life Counselor
4. Set up conference with principal and classroom teacher(s)
5. Join Parent and Teacher Organization to assist with events
6. Military students are paired with a peer mentor who helps them feel welcomed and and supported.
7. Christa McAuliffe Elementary Website/Military Webpage and supports shared with new families.
https://www.militaryonesource.mil/ (a free 24/7 resource for military families of all branches of service providing a variety of assistance, resources, and tools)
www.militarychildcare.com (Resource and information on available Before/After School military childcare)
https://sesamestreetformilitaryfamilies.org/ (Provides resources and information appropriate for younger children on military related topics such as moving, deployment, etc.) [Applicable only for elementary school]
Academic Planning for Military Families
Information regarding academic standards and opportunities, graduation requirements, DE and AP course offerings, applicable CTE programs, etc. for Brevard Public schools can be found in the Student Progression Plan on the BPS Curriculum and Instruction website.
https://www.stepupforstudents.org/ Scholarship resources available to students in Florida in a variety of categories (tax credit, unique abilities, New Worlds reading, Hope, transportation, etc.)
Mary Redito - School Counselor
(321)768-0465, Ext. 47024
Resources and Educational Opportunities for Military Families
This program is available 24/7 for U.S. Military and their families at no cost and it is online tutoring and it offers homework help. The Tutor tutors can assist you with working through difficult homework problems, assist you with improving your writing skills, and with other skills.
United Through Reading unitedthroughreading.org
Family bonding experiences are made possible by shared story time through a program called United Through Reading. This program connects military families who are separated for deployment or military assignment.
The Military OneSource provides services in such areas as tax services, spouse employment help, Webinars, online training, relocation, deployment tools, and other areas. Call-800-342-9647
Department of Defense (DOD) program that makes it easier to find the child and youth care your family needs. Call 855-696-2934
Military Kids Connect (MKC) is an online community for military children (ages 6-17 years old) that provides access to age-appropriate resources to support children from pre-deployment, through a parent’s or caregiver’s return.
Sesame Street for Military Families
This is a free, bi-lingual (English and Spanish) website that families can utilize to locate information and multimedia resources on topics such as military deployments, multiple deployments, homecomings, injuries, grief, and self-expression.
USDOD—Taking Care of Our People
This is a US. Department of Defense website. This website recognizes the service and sacrifice of our military and their families. The U.S. DOD dedicates resources, services, policies, and programs to support the more that 2 million uniformed service members and the 2.6 million family members around the world.
Members of the Red Cross assist members of the military, veterans, and their families how to prepare, respond, and adjust to the challenges of military services.
Families of K-12 students are provided a choice of financial assistance towards private school tuition and fees or help with transportation costs for students to attend a public school different than the one the student is assigned to through the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship (FTC) and Family Empowerment Scholarship for Educational Options (FES-CO) programs.
Student Led Transition Program
BPS is committed to ensuring a peer-led, safe, and positive transition for students from military families into our schools. For support, please contact the Military Point of Contact, our school counselor, Mary Redito by email: Redito.Mary@BrevardSchools.org or phone: (321)768-0465 ext. 47024
At Christa McAuliffe, we take pride in our student-led transition program designed to support new students from military families. This initiative pairs each newcomer with a peer mentor who helps them acclimate to our school environment and embrace the “McAuliffe Way” routines. These peer mentors, who are well-versed in our school’s culture and practices, provide guidance, friendship, and a sense of belonging, ensuring that new students feel welcomed and supported from day one.
Information on Exceptional Education Services
ESE Support Specialist contact for families to touch base with when transitioning IEP’s and 504 plans from other states/locations: Lisa McBee, McBee.Lisa@BrevardSchools.org (321)768-0465 Ext. 47066
Brevard Public Schools provides a range of ESE resources, including school-specific support for families navigating transitions with IEPs and 504 plans. For more information, please visit the BPS Exceptional Education Services website.
Department of Air Force EFMP (Exceptional Family Member Program Information) https://daffamilyvector.us.af.mil/membersite/
BPS Special Ed Connection https://www.fdlrs.org/parent-services/special-ed-connection
Steps:
1. Parents inform the school that their child has exceptional student services at enrollment.
2. Parents inform the school that they would like to know about exceptional student services at enrollment for their child because they have concerns about the social-emotional and academic development of their child.
3. Link to school/district resources
4. School Principal Contact: Victoria Finsted, 321-7768-0465 Ext. 47002 Finsted.Victoria@BrevardSchools.org
5. School Counselor Contact: Mary Redito, 321-768-0465 Ext. 47024 Redito.Mary@BrevardSchools.org
This information is for parents who are just starting their journey through Exceptional Student Education (ESE) and for those who have been on this journey for a while.
ESE Parent Connection: The ESE Parent Connection is a series of informational meetings sponsored by Brevard Public Schools. These meetings are open to all parents who have a student in the Exceptional Student Education (ESE) program.
Lane Anderson, FDLRS, Anderson.Lane@BrevardSchools.org 386-255-6475 Ext. 52839
Special Education Connection: Florida Department of Education is proud to provide access to Special Ed Connection to parents of students with disabilities. Special Ed Connection is a web-based resource that parents can use to gain an understanding of what special education is and how it works, as their child enters and progresses through and exits the world of special education requirements. Some highlights of the many components that will be made available for your use include Smarts, Special Ed Online Dictionary, News and Update and Special Ed Roundups.
Parents and teachers may sign up for this resource online. Online Registration for Special Ed Connect Resource. To find out more about this available resource, contact Lane Anderson
Florida Students Achieve: This is a joint project between the Florida Education Foundation and the Florida Department of Education. Here you will find resources to help you choose the best schools for your children and to understand what things students should be learning. This will help you work with your child’s teachers to ensure the best possible outcome.
University of Central Florida—Center for Autism and Related Disorders (CARD) UCF CARD serves children and adults who have Autism, pervasive developmental disorders, autistic-like disabilities, dual sensory impairments, or sensory impairments with other disabling conditions. Their primary focus is to provide individualized, direct assistance to these individuals and their families. CARD services are designed to build on the capacities of state and local resources, not to duplicate them. The Center is funded by the Florida Legislature through the Florida Department of Education and all services are free of charge.
Our Prek and VPK students have access to a Sensory Room where they can develop and engage their senses in a safe environment. This room can be beneficial for people with learning difficulties, developmental disabilities, or sensory processing impairments.
Our Kindergarten through 6th grade students have access to our "Blue Room". This room is designed to help regulate a student's body and mind.
Information on the mental health challenges facing military students, including ways to access school-based mental health services
Brevard Public Schools offers Psychological and Mental Health Services to all students, including those in military families. These school-based mental health services, along with many other resources, are available at the Mental Wellness website or at https://bpscommunityconnect.findhelp.com/.
Free and confidential non-medical counseling is available to Active-duty service members and their families, including the children of Christa McAuliffe Elementary School. Some goals of this counseling service can include the following: Managing stress, increasing self-esteem, strengthening relationships, providing resources, and increasing resiliency; We also help service members, and their families address the day-to-day stressors of military life and the impact of deployment and reintegration. Issues can include communication, family dynamics, grief and loss, deployment and reintegration, transitions (parental divorce, relocation), and social skills. In summary, the primary role of your M.F.L.C. is to provide supportive counseling services to Military children and their families.
Your point of contact: Susan and Lisa Clark; Phone Number: (321) 494-1991
Christa McAuliffe Staff Military Contact: Mary Redito, School Counselor: Redito.Mary@BrevardSchools.org (321)768-0465 Ext. 47024
Upcoming Military Recognition Events
November - The Month of the Military Family
During the month of November, we will spotlight the military parents/guardians of McAuliffe students through a display in our office.
April - The Month of the Military Child
Tuesday, April 15th - Purple Up Day: During the Month of the Military Child, Purple Up! Day on April 15th recognizes some of the military's most unsung heroes - their children. Students, staff and families are encouraged to wear purple, which represents all branches of the military, showing unity with each other.