Military Families at PCTS

1. School Military Point of Contact (MPOC)

Our dedicated Military Point of Contact is:
Mrs. Kellie Dingus
 📧 kd@pctrilingual.com
📞 850-774-7242

Mrs. Dingus serves as the direct support for military-connected families, ensuring smooth communication, guidance, and assistance with transitions into and out of our school community.

Student-Led Transition Program

At PCTS, we believe students learn best from one another. Our student-led transition program pairs new military students with trained peer buddies who help them adjust to the academic, social, and cultural environment of our trilingual community. These student leaders introduce newcomers to school routines, provide campus tours, sit with them at lunch, and involve them in extracurricular activities. This program helps military students build friendships quickly, feel welcomed, and maintain a strong sense of belonging despite frequent moves.

3. Staff Professional Development

We recognize the unique experiences of military families. To better serve our community, PCTS provides professional development opportunities for teachers and staff on:

  • Understanding the academic and social-emotional needs of military-connected students.

  • Strategies to support students through transitions and deployments.

  • Recognizing the impact of mobility and separation on learning and behavior.

  • Celebrating and honoring military family contributions within the classroom and schoolwide.

These trainings equip our educators to respond with empathy, flexibility, and effective strategies tailored to the needs of military families.

Open Enrollment Seats

PCTS reserves five (5) percent of our open enrollment seats specifically for military-connected students. This ensures that families relocating to our area due to military service have consistent access to high-quality multilingual education.

Activities to Support Military Families

We honor and support military families throughout the school year with meaningful events and educational opportunities, including:

  • 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony – Students and staff gather to honor the lives lost and recognize the sacrifices of first responders and service members.

  • Veterans Day Assembly – A schoolwide event to recognize and thank veterans for their service, often including guest speakers, student performances, and classroom activities.

  • Memorial Day Remembrance – Activities that teach students the significance of honoring fallen heroes who served our nation.

  • Purple Up! Month of the Military Child (April) – Students and staff wear purple to recognize and celebrate the resilience and contributions of military children.

  • Independence Day Education – Lessons and projects help students understand the importance of independence, freedom, and the sacrifices made to secure them.

Special Recognition Events – Throughout the year, we highlight historical events and observances that honor those who have worked to keep our country safe.