Student Support

Student Support includes various departments and programs, including Student Services.

The mission of Student Services is to provide an integrated system of support to students, schools, families, and communities, ensuring the sustainable success of all students. Student Services Departments include 504 Compliance, Financial Aid & Scholarships, Hurricane Recovery Resources, K-12 Guidance Services, Mental Wellness, Multi-Tiered System of Supports, the Prevention Office, Psychological Services, School Health Services (Nursing), and School Social Work

For more information about Student Services, contact:

Donna Sicilian, Executive Director of Student Services
Deb Stotts, Secretary 727-588-6307; stottsd@pcsb.org

504 Compliance

The mission of the Section 504 office is to ensure that all identified students are free from discrimination and are provided with the accommodations, related services and development of strategies necessary to support their success. The office provides ongoing monitoring, as well as support and training, to school-based teams to ensure compliance with the federal mandate. Section 504 is a broad civil rights law that protects the rights of individuals in programs and activities receiving federal funding from the U.S. Department of Education. The law protects all school-age children who qualify as "handicapped" according to the definitions in the regulations.

College and Career Readiness

College and Career Readiness provides information and resources related to Advanced Placement Courses, AVID Elective for Middle School and High School, Career Academies, Career Tech Programs, Career Technical Education Application Programs, College and Career Centers, Dual Enrollment (High School & College Credit) Opportunities, Pinellas Technical College, PSAT and SAT.

Educational Alternative Services

The mission of Educational Alternative Services (EAS) is to educate and prepare each student for college, career, and life through unified community efforts, diverse educational opportunities, and personalized services. The department encompasses various programs and schools throughout Pinellas County, providing student-specific services to support their educational success.

Elevating Excellence

The district initiative provides high-achieving students and their families a personalized path to college success.

Exceptional Student Education

The mission of Pinellas County Schools' Exceptional Student Education is to provide quality services that support effective learning opportunities for all exceptional children, including those with disabilities and those who are gifted.

Students ages 3-21 who meet eligibility requirements receive special education services, which include, but are not limited to educational, vocational and behavioral support. Services meet the needs of eligible students while allowing access to general education instruction with non-disabled peers to the maximum extent appropriate for each student.

FDLRS Gulfcoast

The Florida Diagnostic & Learning Resources System (FDLRS) is a discretionary project of the Florida Department of Education that provides diagnostic, instructional, and technology support services to district exceptional education programs and families of students with disabilities. FDLRS Gulfcoast is one of 18 service centers statewide, providing direct services to Pinellas, Pasco, and Hernando counties.

Financial Aid & Scholarships

The district provides support and services to help families apply for scholarships, loans and other sources of financial aid.

Homeless Students

The HEAT (Helping Educate All in Transition) program serves students from birth to 21 years of age who are eligible to receive services under the federal McKinney-Vento Act. All schools, including charter schools, have a trained school-based McKinney-Vento Act contact and a designated HEAT Office representative who can assist with the educational, social, and family needs of students experiencing homelessness.

K-12 Guidance Services

The vision of Pinellas County counselors is for all students to graduate empowered with the knowledge and skills necessary to achieve academic, personal/social, and career success, and to reach their fullest potential as respectful, responsible citizens. As student advocates, Professional School Counselors provide a comprehensive program that promotes student success through a focus on academic achievement, social/personal, career and multicultural/global citizenship development.

Mental Wellness

The district provides various resources to support mental wellness.

Multi-Tiered System of Supports

This term refers to an evidence-based model of student education that utilizes data and problem-solving to integrate academic, behavioral, and social-emotional instruction and intervention, thereby maximizing the success of all students. Instruction and intervention are provided to students across multiple tiers of intensity, based on their individual needs. Staff make data-driven decisions to ensure that resources (e.g., time, staff, and evidence-based strategies) reach students at the appropriate levels, thereby increasing the performance of all students and achieving and/or exceeding proficiency.

Prevention Office

The mission of the Prevention Office is to promote a safe learning environment and the highest student achievement by providing prevention resources and services.

Psychological Services

The mission of Psychological Services is to provide high-quality services that support safe, effective schools and promote healthy, responsible students. Department staff include school psychologists who provide services that are available to all students and parents in Pinellas County Schools. We provide assistance to schools, students, and parents when academic or behavioral concerns arise and present barriers to students achieving their highest possible academic success.

PTA

The Pinellas County Council PTA/PTSA (PCCPTA) is organized under the authority of the Florida Congress of Parents and Teachers (FPTA). Its main purpose is to provide leadership, serve, assist and act as a resource for local unit PTA/PTSAs.

School Climate and Behavior

In alignment with the district mission and vision, the Climate and Behavior team will assist leadership teams in building the capacity of staff to ensure every learner’s needs are met. An interdisciplinary team, including an MTSS Specialist, Social Worker, and Behavior Specialist will work to strengthen staff practices and school wide systems to improve overall school climate by leading with the PCS core values and deliberate coaching.

School Health Services (Nursing)

The mission of School Health Services is to provide high-quality services to our students and families to promote a safe and healthy school environment that supports effective learning. School Health Services staff roles include Registered Nurses and Licensed Practical Nurses.

School Social Work

The mission of School Social Work is to work collaboratively with home, school and community to enhance the highest student achievement in a safe environment. Each school in Pinellas County has a trained, professional, master's degree-level social worker assigned full-time or part-time.

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