Military Points of Contact:
Beatrice Benjamin, Guidance Counselor
Odyssey Charter School Elementary
benjaminb@odysseycharterschool.com
321-733-0442
Mike Guevara, Assistant Principal of Guidance
Odyssey Charter School Jr/Sr High
guevaram@odysseycharterschool.com
321-345-4117
Michelle Formoso, Guidance Counselor
Odyssey Preparatory Academy
formosom@odysseyprepacademy.com
321-372-7263
Family Life Counseling and Transition Planning for Military Families:
Francesca Privette, Lead Social Worker
Odyssey Charter School, Inc.
privettef@odysseycharterschool.com
321-345-4117
There is support for families with the impact of deployment and re-integration. Odyssey Lead Social Worker, Francesca Privette, provides free and confidential non-medical counseling to active-duty military families. Ms. Privette’s primary role is to provide supportive counseling services to military children and their families. These services include helping children manage stress, increasing self-esteem, strengthening relationships, providing resources, and increasing resiliency.
With each military-related move, military children face many school-related challenges. Ms. Privette also provides information about transition planning, academic options and options and resources with regards to the local area, as well as connect you to the School Liaison at your next installation when transitioning to another location.
Transition Steps:
1. Register and enroll at school of choice
2. Identify as Active Military Duty
3. Fill out a form for student(s) in family to meet with Lead Social Worker
4. Set up conference with principal and classroom teacher(s)
5. Join Parent and Teacher Organization to assist with events
6. Odyssey Charter School/Odyssey Preparatory Website/Military Webpage and support shared with new families.
Academic Planning for Military Families
Odyssey Charter School Curriculum – see websites for resources
odysseycharterschool.com, odysseypreparatoryacademy.com, or odysseycharterjrsr.com
Resources and Educational Opportunities for Military Families
Tutor.com
This program is available 24/7 for U.S. Military and their families at no cost and it is online tutoring, and it offers homework help. The Tutor tutors can assist you with working through difficult homework problems, assist you with improving your writing skills, and with other skills.
Military OneSource
The Military OneSource provides services in such areas as tax services, spouse employment help, Webinars, online training, relocation, deployment tools, and other areas. Call-800-342-9647
Military Child Care
Department of Defense (DOD) program that makes it easier to find the child and youth care your family needs. Call 855-696-2934
Military Kids Connect
Military Kids Connect (MKC) is an online community for military children (ages 6-17 years old) that provides access to age-appropriate resources to support children from pre-deployment, through a parent’s or caregiver’s return.
Sesame Street for Military Families
This is a free, bi-lingual (English and Spanish) website that families can utilize to locate information and multimedia resources on topics such as military deployments, multiple deployments, homecomings, injuries, grief, and self-expression.
USDOD—Taking Care of Our People
This is a US Department of Defense website. This website recognizes the service and sacrifice of our military and their families. The U.S. DOD dedicates resources, services, policies, and programs to support the more that 2 million uniformed service members and the 2.6 million family members around the world.
Red Cross—Military Services
Members of the Red Cross assist members of the military, veterans, and their families in how to prepare, respond, and adjust to the challenges of military services.
Exceptional Student Education
This information is for parents who are just starting their journey through Exceptional Student Education (ESE) and for those who have been on this journey for a while.
ESE Parent Connection: The ESE Parent Connection is a series of informational meetings sponsored by Brevard Public Schools. These meetings are open to all parents who have a student in the Exceptional Student Education (ESE) program.
Lane Anderson, FDLRS Email: Anderson.lane@brevardschools.org 386-255-6475 Ext. 52839
Special Education Connection: Florida Department of Education is proud to provide access to Special Ed Connection to parents of students with disabilities. Special Ed Connection is a web-based resource that parents can use to gain an understanding of what special education is and how it works, as their child enters and progresses through and exits the world of special education requirements. Some highlights of the many components that will be made available for your use include Smarts, Special Ed Online Dictionary, News and Update and Special Ed Roundups.
Parents and teachers may sign up for this resource online. Online Registration for Special Ed Connect Resource. To find out more about this available resource, contact Lane Anderson at Anderson.lane@brevardschools.org.
Florida Students Achieve: This is a joint project between the Florida Education Foundation and the Florida Department of Education. Here you will find resources to help you choose the best schools for your children and to understand what things students should be learning. This will help you work with your child’s teachers to ensure the best possible outcome.
University of Central Florida—Center for Autism and Related Disorders (CARD) UCF CARD serves children and adults who have Autism, pervasive developmental disorders, autistic-like disabilities, dual sensory impairments, or sensory impairments with other disabling conditions. Their primary focus is to provide individualized, direct assistance to these individuals and their families. CARD services are designed to build on the capacities of state and local resources, not to duplicate them. The Center is funded by the Florida Legislature through the Florida Department of Education and all services are free of charge.
Dept of Air Force EFMP (Exceptional Family Member Program) https://daffamilyvector.us.af.mil/membersite/
Information on Military Recognition Events
COORDINATOR SUPPORT AND PEER MENTORING
Our school has a military family transition coordinator who oversees the enrollment process once you arrive. The coordinator will work with the family on introductions to the school, uniforms, transportation, connections with guidance for course/grade placement, ESE and/or ELL services, and more. The coordinator will also work with the school to provide a peer support/mentor that will guide new student(s) around the school and help the new student(s) to get familiar with the campus. The peer support/mentor will introduce the student them to student leaders, clubs and extracurricular programs, and tips to help the student(s) to transition smoothly. The school will also host orientation events to welcome the new students and help them feel comfortable in their new environment.
