Transition Planning for Military Families
At Bay Virtual School, we understand that our military families face many challenges while adjusting to their new community. While virtual school may not present the same types of challenges that a traditional school might have, we know that our military students may need support in order to adjust to their new setting.
BVS Military Points of Contact: Shelly Rouse, Principal 850-767-4460
(As a former military “brat”, military mom, and military spouse, I fully understand the challenges associated with “PCS”ing and will be honored to work with our military families to make the transition to virtual school.)
Academic Planning for Military Families
We offer comprehensive academic planning tailored specifically for military families, including transfer support to ensure a seamless transition between schools and evaluation of credits for appropriate placement. Our commitment extends to providing exceptional student education, guaranteeing access to necessary support and services for students with special needs. Counseling services, including academic and emotional support, are readily available through our school counselor. Personalized meetings are available (in person or virtually) for each new student upon request.
Additionally, we provide extensive college and career guidance, assisting high school students with everything from standardized testing to scholarship opportunities and dual enrollment at our local colleges.
Resources for Military Families
We believe in providing military children with a well-rounded educational experience. Our students have opportunities to participate in a wide range of extracurricular activities, such as Band, Choir, Athletics, and various clubs at their zoned school. These activities not only foster personal growth but also help military students connect with peers who share similar interests, creating a sense of belonging and community. We will be happy to assist our students with the proper procedures for participating in extracurricular events at their zoned school.
Support of Military ESE Children
We understand that military children with exceptional needs require specific support. For these students, we offer personalized assistance, which includes meetings with our ESE Resource teacher to review Individualized Education Plans (IEP). In addition, our ESE Resource Teacher offers weekly support meetings upon request and can assist ESE students in developing strategies for a smooth transition to the virtual setting.
Military Recognition Events
Our school is committed to recognizing and honoring our military families. We partipate in district events like “Purple Up Day” and we honor our military seniors during our graduation ceremony.
These events serve as a token of our appreciation for the sacrifices military families make and provide a platform for our school community to express their gratitude.
Access to Mental Health
We understand that the well-being of military children is a top priority. To support their mental health, students have access to our guidance counselor, who is available to provide counseling and emotional support and as well as access to other mental health and counseling opportunities.
Our goal is to ensure that every military child in our school has the resources they need to maintain their mental and emotional well-being. In summary, our school is deeply committed to providing military children and their families with the support they require to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. We aim to make their educational journey as smooth as possible for our military families and express our sincere gratitude for their service.