Military Families

Welcome Military Families!

First of all, welcome to Bay County.  We are committed to supporting the unique needs of military families and students.  This page provides information and resources to help you navigate your experience at our school.   To ensure a smooth transition our administration and school counselors are readily available to assist your family with any questions.   Our team can be contacted at 850.215.0770

Resources and Support

We offer a range of support services for military students, including academic tutoring, counseling, and more. Visit our registration page for detailed information on enrollment and registration.  Academic planning for your family is a priority at Palm Bay Schools.    We offer speech and language services, occupational and physical therapies, and ESE counseling, ensuring that all students’ individual requirements are met.

Staff Professional Development

Our staff undergoes professional development to better understand and support the needs of military families.

Additional Support Activities

We offer various activities and events to support military families.  We proudly support and celebrate the importance of the military.  Annually, we observe Purple Up Day, recognizing the resilience and strength and military families. Check our home page for upcoming activities.

Our Commitment

Bay County is a military community, and we are committed to meeting the needs of all our students, including those from military families. We aim to connect military families to the resources and services they need to ensure a successful school experience.

Palm Bay Schools is PROUD to welcome military families to our community and school!  Our vision is to ‘Empower the lives of our learners’.  In order to best help your child become accustomed to our campus and the Palm Bay Way, a student-led transitional program has been established.  This program will partner new military students with an outstanding Panther student to shadow for a day!
If you have questions or would like a PURPLE tour of our campus, please reach out to the Palm Bay Schools primary point of contact, Kristen Cook (kristen.cook@palmbayschools.org).
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Stationed at Tyndall AFB?  Find additional information from the Tyndall AFB School Liaison here:  https://tyndallfss.com/school-liaison-program/
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Stationed at Naval Support Activity Panama City?  Find additional information from the NSA School Liaison here:  https://www.navymwrpanamacity.com/programs/b8ae336b-d7da-4061-a711-2ee9e5173ca0
Academic Planning
Graduation requirements and progression can be found in our Student Handbook.  In addition, we would be happy to meet with you and provide individualized information regarding academic progression.  Our Student Services Support from kindergarten through fifth grades is Simone Schaper (simone.schaper@palmbayschools.org) and our sixth through twelfth grade Guidance Counselor is Bailey Perez (bailey.perez@palmbayschools.org).  They can answer all of your academic related questions!
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Need a tutor?  Military families can use the following resource to get additional support at home:  https://military.tutor.com/home
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Interested in exploring career choices and a pathway to achievement?  This website will provide lots of information for apprenticeships, programs for certifications/licenses, and the Military:  https://www.asvabprogram.com/
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FloridaShines is our state’s Student Hub of Innovative Educational Services, offering an array of FREE online tools and resources designed to help students succeed in school, earn a college degree, and embark on a rewarding career.  Find out more here:  FloridaShines.Org.
Family Support Services
There are many resources available to military families!  For information from the Florida Department of Education in reference to the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military children:
https://www.fldoe.org/schools/k-12-public-schools/sss/military-families/
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Explore this website:  Military Child Education Coalition to find resources, guidance, and programs to support the academic, emotional, and social needs of your children!
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Is your child between the ages of 6 and 17?  Military Kids Connect provides support for the unique challenges facing military children.  This online community has videos, activities and more to promote resilience and coping skills.  Counseling services for mental health and well-being are also available to support military students through the Military and Family Life Counseling Program.  To find out more:  DoD resources that can help!

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Special medical or educational needs?  There are newsletters, publications, videos and more located here: https://mic3.net/
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United Through Reading strengthens Military Families’ Literacy, emotional bonds and well being through the power of reading together at every age, no matter the distance.  Try it today:  United Through Reading
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Military OneSource from the Department of Defense is your 24/7 gateway to trusted information, resources, and confidential help. When MilLife happens, it’s your “first line of support” — giving service members and military families tools to stay well and thrive.
https://www.militaryonesource.mil/
Military Celebration Events
– National Veterans and Military Families Month (November)
– Month of the Military Child (April)
– Purple Up Day (students and staff wear purple; April 15th)
– Military student luncheons (December and May)