The West Melbourne Elementary School for Science Supports Our Military Families!

The West Melbourne School for Science is located on the Space Coast in Brevard County Florida approximately 15 miles from Patrick Space Force Base and 42 miles from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. We serve students who have family members representing all service branches.

School-Based Military Point of Contact 

Cathy Mistretta 
School Counselor
321-956-5040 ext. 53023
mistretta.cathy@brevardschools.org

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

Military One Source A free 24/7 resource for military service members of all branches of service and their families provides a variety of assistance, resources, and tools.

Military Child Care Resources and Information on Before/After School Childcare

Sesame Street for Military Families Provides resources and information appropriate for younger elementary school age children on military related topics such as moving, deployment and parenting advice.

MilitaryKidsConnect (MKC) An online community of military children (ages 6-17 yr old) that provides access to age-appropriate resources to support children from pre-deployment, through a parent's or caregiver's return.

USDOD - Taking Care of Our People The U.S.Department of Defense website recognizes the service and sacrifices of military members and their families, and dedicates resources, services, policies and programs to support the more than 2 million uniformed service members and 2.6 million family members across the globe.

The Red Cross Helps members of the military, veterans and their families prepare for, cope with, and respond to, the challenges of military service.

Student Led Transition Program

Brevard Public Schools is committed to ensuring a peer-led, safe, and positive transition for students from military families into our schools.  For support, please contact Cathy Mistretta, Counselor and West Melbourne’s Military Point of Contact at 321-956-5040 ext.53023 or email her at mistretta.cathy@brevardschools.org  The WMSS Student Led Transition Program is led by our 5th and 6th grade Student Council members that currently have family members in the military. They hold a meet and greet, provide tours, explain school expectations and procedures, lead Question and Answer sessions, introduce students to opportunities for extra curricular clubs and regularly check-in with our new military students.

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.

• Scholarship resources available to students in Florida in a variety of categories (tax credit, unique abilities, New Worlds reading, Hope, transportation, etc.) https://www.stepupforstudents.org/ 

• Contact West Melbourne School for Science School Counselor Cathy Mistretta at mistretta.cathy@brevardschools.org or call 321-956-5040 ext. 53023

Resources and Educational Opportunities for Military Children

Military Interstate Compact (MIC3) Information on the Military Interstate Compact and resources available for eligible transitioning military dependents.

Department of Defense Tutoring Program Free tutoring and test preparation and essay review resources for eligible military dependents.

United Through Reading Free shared story time resources to keep children and parents connected during a deployment.

Information on Exceptional Education Services (ESE)

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 BPS Exceptional Education Services.

Contact our school’s ESE Support Specialist, Lisa Herr at herr.lisa@brevardschoools.org or call her at 321-956-5040 for information on transitioning Individual Education Plans (IEPs) from other states/locations and to answer any questions you may have.

Contact Heather Henneman West Melbourne’s 504 Coordinator at 321-956-5040 or at henneman.heather@brevardschools.org to transition your student’s current 504 plan.

Contact Cathy Mistretta, School Counselor at 321-956-5040 ext. 53023 or at mistretta.cathy@brevardschools.org if you have concerns about your students behavior, academic progress and/or social emotional needs. 

Department of Air Force EFMP (Exceptional Family Member Program Information)

Mental Health Resources for Students and Families

Military children face a unique combination of stressors that can affect their mental health at every stage of life. These stressors include frequent moves, deployments, and access to care. Children of military families are more likely to experience emotional and behavioral difficulties than children in the general population. These difficulties can include:

• Anger

• Apathy

• Anxiety

• Depression

• Withdrawal

• Decline in school performance

• Loss of interest in normal activities

• Social isolation 

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 community resources, are available at Mental Wellness or at BPS Community Connect. You can also contact our school counselor at 321-956-5040 ext. 53023 for individual and group counseling. 

Patrick SFB installation Military Family Life Counselor:
Robert Updegrove 321-474-1530 

United Way of Brevard  
321- 631-2740 

Opportunities for Parents and Grandparents to Volunteer at the School

There are many opportunities to support our students and teachers. Your involvement is key to the success of our school and your student’s academic achievement!

• Mentor Students

• Be a Guest Speaker

• Participate in our monthly Garden Days

• Chaperone Field-trips

• Volunteer in Classrooms

• Listen to Young Readers

• Help with Science experiments and Science Fair Projects

• Become a Member of the WMSS School Advisory Council

• Donate supplies and materials for class or school projects

2024-2025 Calendar of Events

• September 11th - Patriots Day - A day of remembrance to honor the victims and heroes of the 9/11 attacks. Wear red, white, and blue to honor the courage and sacrifice of the first responders and the military members who continue to serve and protect our nation and to remember all those that we have lost since that day. After reciting the Pledge of Allegiance, we will have a moment of silence to reflect on the lives lost and the impact of that day.Teachers will teach age appropriate lessons.

• November 13th - Veteran’s Day Breakfast and Recognition Program including musical performances by WMSS students.

• December - Holiday Boxes (Food and Gifts) for WMSS MilitaryFamilies 

• April - West Melbourne School for Science will celebrate military children during the month of April. There are more than 1.6 million military children who face many challenges and unique experiences as a result of their parents' service. While military members serve around the world, we often forget the challenges faced by their children. Military families move on average every two to three years, impacting military children through changing schools and support networks. We join the Department of Defense, local, county, and state government, military serving organizations, businesses and private citizens in celebrating military children and the sacrifices they make.

• April 15th - Purple Up for Military Kids Day - WMSS students, faculty, and staff will wear and display purple to show that we support all branches of the military and their families. Military students will be recognized for their bravery, strength, sacrifices and resilience and certificates will be presented to them in a special ceremony.