Useful resources and steps to help you navigate the aftermath and the coming storms
1. Emergency Contacts:
- Ensure you have up-to-date contact information for local authorities, emergency services, and utility companies.
- Reach out to family and friends to let them know you are safe.
2. Shelters:
- Identify the nearest shelters and know their locations. Some shelters may require pre-registration, so check ahead.
3. Insurance Claims and Financial Assistance:
- Contact your insurance company as soon as possible to report any damage and begin the claims process.
- Apply for disaster assistance through FEMA at FEMA Disaster Assistance or by calling 1-800-621-3362.
4. Cleaning and Repairs:
- Wear protective clothing and gear when cleaning up debris and avoid working alone.
- Be cautious of mold and water contamination; use proper cleaning solutions and seek professional help if necessary.
Crisis Cleanup Hotline for Debby: 1-844-965-1386
5. Emotional Support:
- It's normal to feel overwhelmed after such an event. Reach out to mental health professionals if you need support.
- Many organizations offer counseling and support services for disaster survivors, including those available in multiple languages.
- For assistance
- Call: 1-800-985-5990
- Text: "TalkWithUs" for English or "Hablanos" for Spanish to 66746
6. Safety:
- Use flashlights instead of candles to reduce the risk of fire.
- Do not use generators indoors to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.
- Avoid downed power lines, flooded areas, and any structural damage to buildings.
- Use caution when returning to your home: check for gas leaks, water damage, and other hazards.
- Check on your neighbors, especially the elderly and those with special needs.
- If you are evacuated, return home only when officials say it is safe.
- If you encounter any issues related to your immigration status while seeking assistance, please get in touch with our hotline at 1-888-600-5762.
7. Stay Informed:
- Monitor local news and weather reports for updates on recovery efforts and potential hazards.
- Follow the guidance of local authorities and emergency management officials.
- Sign up for emergency alerts from local government agencies.
- Report price gouging to 1-866-9NO-SCAM (966-7226). You can also download the free NO SCAM app from the attorney general’s office. Price Gouging protections include renting any dwelling unit.
8. For additional information and resources, please refer to the following:
- Dial 211 for information on available community resources and assistance programs.
- Florida Emergency Management: The Division of Emergency Management plans for and responds to both natural and man-made disasters. These range from floods and hurricanes to incidents involving hazardous materials or nuclear power.
- Florida Power Outages Map
- National Hurricane Center
- National Weather Service
- Red Cross Recovery Guide
9. Additional Support for Immigrant Communities:
- If you encounter any issues related to your immigration status while seeking assistance, please contact our support line at FLIC Hotline:1-888-600-5762
Your safety is our priority, and we will continue to provide support and updates as needed. Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any concerns or need assistance.
We hope you stay safe,
Real-Time Bus Arrival Information
Pasco County School District school buses are equipped with GPS technology that will let parents know precisely when their child’s bus will arrive at the bus stop and help our Transportation Department efficiently manage our bus fleet.
How To Download the App
Download the app using one of the following two options:
How To Sign Up
- Create Account - Go to wheresthebus.com and click the 'Create Account' button.
- Select District - Select 'Pasco County School District' from the drop-down menu.
- Add Student - Click the 'Add Student' button and enter student date of birth and student ID number.
Once your information is validated, you will receive an email with instructions and download information.
Screen Overview
A. Arrival Status
Estimated time of arrival (ETA) is displayed when bus arrival time can be predicted. When a prediction is unavailable, use the bus location and distance from your stop.
B. Last Message
“Current” is displayed when bus data has been received at the last minute. If updates are not received, the bus is likely stopped at a school or layover or inactive (no messages in the last 15 minutes).
C. Your House
Your house is represented by the home icon.
D. Your Bus Stop
Your bus stop is represented by the stop sign icon.
E. Bus Location & Distance
Represented by bus icon and distance.
F. Bus Number
Click on the bus # to switch between buses (if multiple). If bus 36 were subbing for bus 41, it would be displayed as 36(41).
Preparing for Back to School? Five tips for parents
While parents can’t control a child’s attitude toward school, they can influence it. Here are five ways parents can help their kids have a better school year:
- Recognize that your attitude is contagious. Your enthusiasm about school should start early — before preschool — and become a lifelong habit. Talk to your child about why school is amazing: the importance of education, how fun it is to learn, and how awesome it is to make friends. And this one gets personal, but try not to be cranky in the morning. If necessary, wake up a little earlier and have a cup of coffee before you wake your kids. Anything it takes to get them to school on time and send them off with a smile.
- Keep communication lines open. First, build a relationship with your child’s teachers, volunteering at school if possible but, if not, staying informed by reading newsletters and emails. Speak about teachers respectfully to your children so that they will respect and follow their instructions. Talk frequently to your kids as well. Be curious about their homework, classroom experiences, and friends. Ask discussion questions at non-threatening times, such as while going for a walk or coloring together.
- Manage anxiety, which can take many forms. Separation anxiety most frequently occurs during times of family stress or when a child is about to enter a new school. Combat it with one-time statements such as “I will see you after school and I am confident that you will be okay” and “You can talk to (name of trusted adult) if you need help.” If your child’s anxiety is related to school work, help them learn how to break big projects into measurable chunks, and share the concerns with school staff.
- Work the “friend” angle. Sometimes, kids need tips on how to make friends, so teach them how to introduce themselves, find common interests, and become active listeners. If your child is struggling socially, make the teacher aware. Teachers are great at identifying kids who have similar interests and facilitating connections. Support budding friendships by scheduling play dates that revolve around that common interest.
- Prepare to problem solve with an open mind. If your child is struggling academically and your homework and studying strategies aren’t helping, share the concerns with the school so that the appropriate interventions can take place. And don’t rule out a big change, such as changing a classroom or even changing schools. Such situations are atypical, but occasionally they’re exactly what the student needs.
MYSTUDENT
Student schedules, emergency cards, and parent consent forms are now available via the parent portal.
Create a parent portal at https://www.pasco.k12.fl.us/parents.
To access the schedules, parents must first complete the Parent Bill of Rights consent form and an emergency card.
Please remember to check the portal often and customize your notification. MYSTUDENT also provides the ability to communicate with teachers.
The ESOL team wishes you and your family a wonderful school year 🌞
Don't forget to follow us on social media to stay informed on all things ESOL.
If you have a question or need support, please reach out to
Andrea Knauber M.Ed
ELL Parent and Community Engagement Instructional Coach
Office of Student Support Programs and Services
(813)794-2517