ESOL Family Newsletter
Explore Scholarship Opportunities
Pinellas Education Foundation Scholarship Opportunities:
- Take Stock in Children scholarships are awarded to public school students in Pinellas County who are in grades 6 through 9 and demonstrate financial need (students must be on the school’s approved free/reduced lunch list).
**The application period closes Sunday, December 15 at midnight**
Senior Scholarships are awarded to high school graduating seniors in Pinellas County Public School system. Students only need to fill out one application to match their needs and future interests with over 120 scholarship opportunities.
** The application period for this scholarship closes on January 31**
For more details about the Pinellas Education Foundation Scholarship Programs, including eligibility requirements and the application process, and other scholarship opportunities, please visit: Pinellas Education Foundation: https://pinellaseducation.org/students/
District Application Programs 2025-2026
Mark Your Calendar for Pinellas County Schools
District Application Programs (DAP) 2025-2026!
Pinellas County Schools offers more than 80 unique magnet, fundamental and career programs. Programs are focused on students' interests, talents, and learning styles.
Initial Application Period for the 2025-2026 School Year
- 9 am on January 7 through 5 pm on January 17, 2025
- Closes at 5 pm on Friday, January 17, 2025
District Application Programs Guide:
For more details about PCS District Application Programs, please go to:
For any questions or assistance, please contact:
The Student Assignment Office during normal business hours, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday:
DAP@pcsb.org or StudentAssignment@pcsb.org or (727) 588-6210
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA is the form that students complete to receive student aid for college or career school.
The 2025-2026 FAFSA is officially open for students and family members to complete.
Please review the 2025-2026 FAFSA Checklist to determine who needs to contribute to the FAFSA and who will need an FSA ID as well as what documents you need to have a successful FAFSA submission. Once you determine who needs an FSA ID, go to Create an Account to get started.
For more information about FAFSA and how to complete the FAFSA form, please go to:
Understanding FAFSA GUIDES (available in different languages):
https://understandingfafsa.org/guides/
Financial Aid Resources & Scholarship Search Engines
High School College and Career Centers
The College and Career Centers support students and families to access resources, explore opportunities and work collaboratively on:
- Career pathway and major exploration
- College exploration and match
- Application development and submission
- SAT/ACT preparation resources
- College Fair and admission events
- Financial and scholarship planning
- Essay preparation and review
For more details about the College and Career Centers, including your College and Career Readiness Coordinator, please go to: https://www.pcsb.org/Page/31226
English Classes for Adults
The adult English for Speakers of Other Languages program, often referred to as ESOL, is designed to help individuals improve their English literacy skills in reading, writing, speaking, and listening.
Classes operate countywide during day and evening hours.
For more details about the classes and locations, go to: https://www.pcsb.org/Page/2591
Bus Bulletin - Notification System
Bus Bulletin notification system will notify schools, parents, and students when there are bus delays, substitute drivers and/or a bus change.
If you would like to receive instant notifications when something is affecting your child's bus, please register with Bus Bulletin.
- Bus Bulletin is a FREE service
- Registration is simple and fast
- You will need your child's 10-digit student ID #
- Multiple Notification Options: text messages, phones calls, emails, or all three
- Your PRIVACY is protected
If you need assistance with registration, call Pinellas County Schools Transportation Department at
727-587-2020.
For more details about the Bus Bulletin, please go to: https://www.pcsb.org/Page/32164
PCS Text Messages
Get notifications from Pinellas County Schools!
Pinellas County Schools uses text messages as an additional tool to communicate important information with families. To get alerts, text “Y” or “Yes” to 67587.
PCS Student Information System (Focus)
Parents do no longer need to visit the school first to create an account. Parents are able to digitally create an account. Click the link below to create your FOCUS Parent Account
For more information about Parent Portal Accounts, please click here: Current and New Parent Account Resources
1. Live Virtual Session for Newly Arrived Families
Learn about the school system, the services and resources available to help you and your child in your transition. Ask questions!
Date: Monday, December 16 | 12:30-1:30 p.m. and 4:30-5:30 p.m.
Location: Virtual via Microsoft Teams
5. Free College Courses Opportunities in High School/ Dual Enrollment
Join us and learn about the opportunities students have to take postsecondary coursework and simultaneously earn credit toward a high school diploma, a career certificate, or an associate degree.
Date: Wednesday, December 18 | 5:30-6:00 p.m.
Location: Clearwater East Public Library located at SPC Clearwater Campus :2465 Drew St, Clearwater, FL 33765
Room: East Program
6. Live Virtual Session -Let’s Talk! About Pinellas County Schools
Connect with PCS schools’ current information and resources to support students’ success.
Date: Thursday, December 19 | 4:30-5:30 PM.
Location: Virtual via Microsoft Teams
Link: Click here to join the virtual meeting
Some topics: PCS updates, Meeting School Academic Expectations, High School Graduation Requirements, DAP, FOCUS, Scholarship Opportunities, and more
ESOL Parent Leadership Council Fall Meeting: Be a voice for your child and other English Learner families!
Thursday, January 16 | 4:30-5:30 p.m.
Location: Clearwater East Public Library located at SPC Clearwater Campus :2465 Drew St, Clearwater, FL 33765
Room: East Program
All K-12 English Learner parents are welcome! Together, we can help our students achieve their potential, graduate from high school, prepare for postsecondary careers and other educational opportunities, and, most of all, be successful!
Please click here to learn more about the ESOL Parent Leadership Council
Free Virtual Tutoring for English Learner Students (ELs)
The tutoring sessions are conducted via Microsoft Teams
Each grade-level tutoring session will include a mini-lesson followed by time for homework help.
To join a session, click the appropriate grade level /content area link listed below
K-5 English Newcomers ELs
October – May 22
3:00 PM-4:00 PM
Wednesdays and Thursdays
Link to join to the tutoring: Join meeting
6-12 Newcomers English Tutoring
September 17-June 26
5:15-6:00 pm
Tuesday & Thursday
Link to join to the tutoring: Join meeting
9-12 English and Algebra test prep
September 30- June 26
5:30-6:30 pm
Link to join to the tutoring: Join meeting
o Monday and Wednesday – English
o Tuesday and Thursday – Algebra
For more information about the EL tutoring, please click the link: Virtual Tutoring for English Learner Students
PCS Families Website:
https://www.pcsb.org/Domain/142
PCS Students Website:
https://www.pcsb.org/Domain/143
Elementary School Education
https://www.pcsb.org/elementary
High School Education
https://www.pcsb.org/Page/39287
Middle School Education
https://www.pcsb.org/domain/161
English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)
Student Services
https://www.pcsb.org/Domain/202
Volunteer Information
PCS Family E-Learning Coaching
https://www.pcsb.org/FamilyEcoaching
Financial Aid & Scholarships
ESOL Parent Leadership Council
English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Website
Learn about the ESOL Office!
Connect with the information, resources, and events that the ESOL Office provides to support Pinellas County Schools English Learner and Spanish-speaking students and families, all in one place:
- Parent Helpline
- PCS Facebook page in Spanish
- Free, Live Virtual Tutoring for English Learner students (ELs)
- ESOL Community Resource Fair
- Community Resources
- ESOL Family Resources (upcoming events, newsletter ...)
- ESOL Parent Leadership Council (PLC)
ESOL Website link: https://www.pcsb.org/esol
Pinellas County Schools en Español
The page connects Hispanic families with news and information about the school district and ESOL events in Spanish! Please follow us, like, and share the page!
Parent Helpline in Spanish
Spanish-speaking parents have the opportunity to call the helpline for information related to the school district:
Ericka (Macías) Reckenwald
ESOL Family Outreach Coordinator
Ph# 727-588-6415 (Parent Helpline in Spanish)
email: reckenwalde@pcsb.org