ESOL Family Newsletter
ACCESS for ELs Test
Hey Parents! Let's Talk English Language Learning 🌍🗣️
Imagine your child becoming a language superhero, conquering English one word at a time!
The ACCESS for ELs test is like their secret training mission, helping them level up their language skills.
ACCESS for ELs is an annual English language proficiency test for K-12 students identified as English Learners (ELs). It measures abilities in listening, reading, speaking, and writing. In Pinellas County, 2025 ACCESS for ELs testing window is from January 20th to March 14th. All English Learners students in grades K-12 must take this state test to help teachers understand their English language skills. Schools will notify parents about the testing schedule.
If you have any questions, please reach out to your school.
Key Points:
- Purpose: Assesses English language skills to determine classroom support needs.
- Measures: Listening, reading, speaking, and writing abilities.
- Administration: Conducted by the school annually.
- Results: Provides a proficiency level score, indicating strengths and areas for improvement.
Using ACCESS for ELs test Information:
- Ask teachers about your child’s performance in English to understand how the school will use this information in meeting your child's language needs
- Regularly check in with teachers about language development
- Visit the WIDA website for detailed parent information: https://wida.wisc.edu/teach/learners/engagement?
Think of this test as your child's language adventure map – showing where they've been and guiding them to where they're going! 🚀📚
For more details about the ACCESS for ELLs, please click on any of the Parent Handouts below:
Pinellas County Schools Surveys
Pinellas County Schools wants to hear from you!
Your participation is vital to help our school district make improvements and identify best practices.
Students in grades 3-12 can access the survey via CLEVER, and families can access the survey using the link below.
https://survey.k12insight.com/survey/form?k=RQsWYYRRsTQsPsPsP&lang=0
PreK3-VPK 2025-26 Applications
the applications for 2025-26 VPK are OPEN again from February 3 - February 17, 2025!
For seat availability for each of our school sites, visit pcsb.org/vpk for more info.
To learn more about PreK/VPK, how to apply for the 2025-2026 school year, or to find information about school sites, please click on the links below:
For any questions or assistance about PreK3/VPK, please call: 727-588-6513
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.
FAFSA NIGHT EVENTS:
Feb 5 FAFSA Completion Night-Northeast HS Media Center 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Feb 6 FAFSA Completion Night-Seminole HS Media Center 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Parent Master Class- Understanding the PSAT Scores and SAT PREP 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM
Feb 10 FAFSA Completion Night-Osceola Fund. HS Media Center 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
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
District Application Programs 2025-2026 Acceptance Period
The Acceptance Period for the District Application Programs 2025-2026 will open on February 12 and run through 5:00 PM on February 21, 2025. Parents who applied for these programs during the initial period in January must log into the Student Reservation System (SRS) to find out if their child has received an invitation to a school/ program. If their child has received an invitation to a school/program, parents need to accept the invitation to secure the spot in that program before the acceptance period closes (5:00 PM on February 21).
DAP Acceptance Period Facebook/ YouTube Live Event
Feb. 11, 2025
5:35 PM - 6:30 PM
Acceptance Period for the 2025-2026 School Year
- 9 AM February 12 through 5 PM on February 21, 2025
- Closes at 5 pm on Friday, February 21, 2025
Late Application Period Opens
- April 2, 2025
For any questions or assistance, please go to: https://www.pcsb.org/dap
For additional support or questions, please contact Student Assignment from 8 am to 4:30 pm Mondays through Fridays at 727.588.6210 or DAP@pcsb.org or StudentAssignment@pcsb.org.
Elevating Excellence SPRING 2025 SAT PREP Workshop
SAT PREP Workshop 8 AM-12 noon, February 15th and 22nd, 2025
The workshop targets students who have completed Algebra 2.
At these sessions, students will participate in a teacher lead SAT Prep session. In addition, they will be provided with Albert.io extra practice.
**This is a series, attendance to both sessions are encouraged**
To register for this workshop, please go to: https://www.pcsb.org/ee
For any questions or assistance, please contact:
Mrs. Jackson-Stuart
Elevating Excellence Coordinator
Habla Español
SAT practice resources: https://satsuite.collegeboard.org/practice
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
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
Do you know about Pinellas County Schools App?
Pinellas County Schools App helps parents and students stay connected to their school information.
The app, developed by Focus, helps families access student information on their cellphones and mobile devices. Parents and students can still use the Focus website on desktop computers, but the app is designed to work better with mobile devices.
The smartphone app provides easy access to:
- Current Student Grades
- Current Student Attendance
- Recent Student Assignments
- Upcoming Student Assignments
- Relevant Web Links
- Recent Facebook Feeds
- Recent Portal Messages
The app can be downloaded from the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store.
For more information about PCS App, please go to: https://www.pcsb.org/Page/28468
Parent access to PCS App and child's information:
- Parents need to use their FOCUS account ID and password to log into the app.
- To access their child's information, parents need to have their child's FOCUS account linked to their parent account.
For more details about FOCUS and resources for parents, please go to:
PCS Student Information System (Focus) https://www.pcsb.org/focusinfo
Please contact your school for any additional assistance.
1.Workshop for K-12 ESOL Families:
Dates and locations:
- Monday, Feb 3, 5:30-7:00 P.M. Largo Public Library: 120 Central Park Dr, Largo, FL 33771; Room: Jenkins Wing Room B
- Wednesday, Feb 12, 4:30-6:00 P.M. Clearwater East Public Library (located at SPC Clearwater Campus): 2465 Drew St, Clearwater, FL 33765
Room: East Community
At this event parents will learn about:
- Meeting School Academic Expectations
- High School Graduation Requirements
- College Credit Opportunities in High School
- Available Resources for Students and much
Questions, please contact: Ericka Reckenwald, ESOL Family Outreach Coordinator at:reckenwalde@pcsb.org | 727.588.6415 (Parents Helpline in Spanish)
2. Live Virtual Session -Let’s Talk! About Pinellas County Schools
Connect with PCS schools’ current information and resources to support students’ success.
Learn about the school system, the services and resources available to help you and your child in your transition. Ask questions!
Date: Monday, Feb 17 | 1:00-2:00 PM. and 5:00-6:00 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, Spring Tests and Test Resources, FOCUS, Clever at Home, Finacial Aid, and more.
For more ESOL workshops, click on the link below:
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
4:00 PM-5:00 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