Sherwood
Elementary School
Military Family Resources
Military Point of Contact
Tammy Douglas, Principal
tdouglas@ecsdfl.us
Jennifer Collins, Assistant Principal
jcollins@ecsdfl.us
Enrollment Services
New to the area? Have questions about registering your child for school, or what documentation is needed for registration? Click here to visit our ECPS Enrollment Services department for this information, as well as the current Student Progression Plans.
Transition Planning
Mrs. Janet Reyes, Sherwood Elementary’s Data Specialist, works closely with our families to assist throughout the registration and transition process. She can be reached at jreyes@ecsdfl.us.
Sherwood Elementary is committed to making the transition to a new school as smooth as possible for all students and families, including our military-connected families. Our staff works closely with families to help students feel welcomed, supported, and connected from the start.
Prior to enrollment, all parents and guardians must create a Focus Parent Portal account at https://focus.escambia.k12.fl.us/focus/auth/.
Enrollment Information
- School Choice: If you are enrolling through Escambia County Public Schools' School Choice process, please follow the district's School Choice procedures. Additional assistance is available through the J.E. Hall Center, located at 30 E. Texar Drive.
- Home-Zoned Enrollment: If Sherwood Elementary is your student's home-zoned school, families should provide two proofs of residency, a valid photo ID, the student's birth certificate, and immunization records.
- IEP or 504 Plans: If your student has an active IEP or 504 Plan, please provide the most recent copy available. This allows our staff to begin coordinating appropriate supports and services while official records are being requested.
Once the required enrollment information and documentation have been received, Mrs. Reyes will assist families with completing the necessary forms and next steps for enrollment.
Transfers and Records Requests
- Transferring to Sherwood: When a student enrolls at Sherwood Elementary, our staff will request the student's educational records directly from the previous school.
- Transferring from Sherwood: When a student transfers to another school, the receiving school should send a records request to Sherwood Elementary. Our staff will then provide the appropriate educational records to the receiving school.
For our military-connected students, we recognize that transitions may occur throughout the school year. Our goal is to minimize disruptions, quickly connect students with the appropriate academic and student supports, and help each new Archer feel like part of the Sherwood family.
Academic Planning
Sherwood Elementary provides high-quality instruction aligned with Florida's B.E.S.T. Standards while recognizing the individual academic needs of each student. Teachers use classroom performance, assessment data, and progress monitoring to plan instruction, provide intervention, and extend learning opportunities.
Students receive tiered academic support based on individual needs. Through our MTSS process, teachers and support staff regularly review student progress and adjust instruction and interventions to help students continue to grow. Additional academic supports, including small-group instruction, intervention, and tutoring opportunities, are provided when appropriate.
Each Sherwood student receives a green communication folder that travels between home and school. This folder is used for important school information, student work, homework, and communication between families and teachers. Families are encouraged to check the green folder regularly.
The Focus Parent Portal is another important tool for families. Parents and guardians can use Focus to monitor grades, review academic information, and receive communication from their child's teacher and the school.
As a Leader in Me Lighthouse School, Sherwood also believes academic success goes hand in hand with developing strong leadership and life skills. Through the 8 Habits, students learn and practice responsibility, goal setting, problem solving, collaboration, perseverance, and accountability. Students are encouraged to take ownership of their learning, celebrate their growth, and develop the skills needed to be successful both in and out of the classroom.
For students transitioning to Sherwood, including our military-connected students, our staff reviews available academic records and student information to help identify appropriate supports and ensure continuity of learning as quickly as possible.
Exceptional Student Education
Sherwood Elementary is committed to providing appropriate services and supports to students with disabilities based on each student's Individualized Education Program (IEP).
Our ESE team regularly monitors student progress and provides families with quarterly progress updates aligned with the student's IEP goals. The IEP team meets with parents and guardians at least annually to review student progress, update goals, and adjust services and supports as needed to promote continued academic, social, and developmental growth.
Sherwood Elementary offers a variety of ESE programs and services, including:
- Two ESE Pre-K classrooms that provide specialized instruction and support for our youngest learners.
- Three multi-grade ESE classrooms designed to provide specialized instruction and individualized support based on student needs.
- K–5 Inclusion Services, with ESE teachers providing push-in support within general education classrooms to help students access grade-level instruction alongside their peers.
- Individualized accommodations, supports, and services as outlined in each student's IEP.
For military-connected students transferring to Sherwood with an existing IEP, families are encouraged to provide a copy of the student's most recent IEP during enrollment. This helps our team review the student's current services and begin coordinating appropriate supports while official educational records are being received.
Additional information about Exceptional Student Education services within Escambia County Public Schools is available through the district's Exceptional Student Education Department.
Sondra Hill, ESE Program Director
shill@ecsdfl.us • 850-429-2977
Resources
The Joint Military Council for Education Excellence was established as a partnership between the Escambia County School District and Naval Air Station Pensacola in the Spring of 2020. Its mission is: Improving educational services and communication between the Escambia County School District and military families.
The Military Council convenes quarterly to address topics of mutual interest and to solicit input from community stakeholders, including military families.
NAS Pensacola Fleet &Family Support Center
Military One Source connects you to programs, services and products developed for military life. Turn to Military OneSource for tax services, spouse employment help, webinars and online training, relocation and deployment tools, and much more.
Military One Source also has a link to a tutoring service designed specifically for military students.
Military Child Education Coalition
The Military Interstate Children's Compact Commission has a specific section for parents with resources detailing the role of the School Liaison as well as helpful articles on helping military children change schools and cope with moving, among others. They also have a section on supporting military families with special medical or educational needs.
The ASVAB CEP offers students a chance to explore all paths to careers - college, certifications, apprenticeships, licensure programs, and the Military - in one place. Contact your school counselor to find out when the ASVAB CEP is coming to your school.
Student to Student Peer Group
Sherwood Elementary is proud to be a Leader in Me Lighthouse School, where student leadership, belonging, and positive relationships are an important part of our school culture. Through the 8 Habits, students develop leadership skills, learn to work collaboratively, set goals, solve problems, and recognize the strengths of themselves and others.
Student Ambassadors play an important role in helping new students feel welcome at Sherwood. Ambassadors can help new students become familiar with the school, learn daily routines and procedures, and begin making connections with their peers. This additional peer support is especially valuable for our military-connected students who may transition to Sherwood during the school year.
Our Student Lighthouse Team provides additional leadership opportunities for students. Team members serve as student leaders within the school and help promote our Leader in Me culture, schoolwide goals, and a sense of belonging throughout our Archer community.
Through these programs, Sherwood strives to ensure that new students are not only enrolled in a school, but are welcomed into a school family. Our goal is for every new Archer, including our military-connected students, to quickly feel connected, supported, and part of Sherwood Elementary.
Military Recognition Events
Sherwood Elementary is proud to recognize and celebrate our military-connected students and families and the important role they play in our school community.
Military Family Recognition – November 12
As part of our First Grade Family Event on November 12, Sherwood Elementary will include a special recognition of our military-connected students and families. This is an opportunity to honor the service and sacrifices made by our military families and to show our appreciation for their contributions to our community.
Purple Up! Day – April
In recognition of the Month of the Military Child, Sherwood Elementary will participate in Purple Up! Day during April. Students and staff will be encouraged to wear purple as a visible show of support for military children and to recognize the resilience, strength, and unique experiences of students whose parents or guardians serve in the military.
Through these events, Sherwood Elementary is proud to celebrate our military families and ensure our military-connected students know they are a valued part of our Archer family.
Additional Resources for Educational Opportunities
Sherwood Elementary offers a variety of after-school opportunities designed to support students academically while encouraging teamwork, leadership, creativity, and healthy lifestyles. Opportunities may vary based on grade level, student interest, and availability.
- YMCA Bright Pathways – A tutoring program that provides additional academic support to a limited number of students.
- STEM Competition Team – Provides students with opportunities to explore science, technology, engineering, and math through hands-on learning, problem solving, teamwork, and competition.
- Battle of the Books – Encourages a love of reading as students read selected books, work together as a team, and prepare for academic competition.
- Triathlon Team – Promotes physical fitness, perseverance, goal setting, and teamwork as students train and prepare to participate in a youth triathlon.
These programs provide Sherwood students with opportunities to learn, lead, compete, and grow beyond the school day.
Military Family Life Counselor Contact
The MFLC Locator on the Military One Source website is the best way for families to identify a MFLC if they do not have one at their school. The Locator will show available MFLCs attached to the installations and various commands as well as the CDCs and Youth Centers on the base.
About the Military & Family Life Counseling (MFLC) Program
Sherwood Elementary School is honored to offer non-medical counseling to our military-connected students. MFLCs support military families through the unique challenges of military life, including cycles of deployment and reintegration, by providing non-medical, short-term counseling. Through a partnership between the school district, the installation and the office of the Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Military Community and Family Policy, counselors will be assigned to various schools during the school year.
What is the counselor’s role in the school?
MFLCs provide consultation, training, and educational presentations/workshops to program faculty, staff, parents, and children. MFLC support augments services already in place at each school. Counselors take part in everyday school activities and events. They are available to support in areas related to deployment and reintegration; family dynamics; positive coping mechanisms; staff support and education; parent education and stress reduction. Counselors are also available to facilitate groups and trainings to build leadership skills; manage anger; build self-esteem and confidence and strengthen communication.
How are counselors selected?
Counselors are selected for their demonstrated expertise and training and are under the management of the office of the Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Military Community and Family Policy. Counselors hold a master’s or doctoral degree, are independently licensed and have experience working with children and youth. Counselors go through rigorous background checks before being placed in schools.
Why are the counselors in certain schools and not others?
Schools were selected by the Service Branch to receive MFLCs based on the number of military connected students attending each school. Military families who have students in schools without counselors can typically receive the same support through the installation’s Morale, Welfare and Recreation Department, Fleet and Family Services or the A&FRC.
Do counselors keep records about students and families?
No. Services provided by counselors are private and confidential with the exception of mandatory federal and military reporting requirements (i.e., child abuse, domestic violence and other life-threatening situations). No counseling records are maintained.
The Dandelion
The official flower of the military child is the dandelion. Why?
The plant puts down roots almost anywhere, and it's almost impossible to destroy. It's an unpretentious plant, yet good looking. It's a survivor in a broad range of climates.
Military children bloom everywhere the winds carry them. They are hardy and upright. Their roots are strong, cultivated deeply in the culture of the military, planted swiftly and surely. They're ready to fly in the breezes that take them to new adventures, new lands, and new friends.
Experts say military children are well-rounded, culturally aware, tolerant, and extremely resilient. Military children have learned from an early age that home is where their hearts are, that a good friend can be found in every corner of the world, and that education doesn't only come from school. They live history. They learn that to survive means to adapt, that the door that closes one chapter of their life opens up to a new and exciting adventure full of new friends and new experiences.
(Military Child Education Coalition, 2017).