Military Connection

Military-Connected Family Survey

Gonzalo & Sofia Garcia Elementary School Military Liaison Contact Information

Welcome to Canutillo ISD!

We are thankful for your service and are very excited that you have chosen to join the Canutillo ISD community. CISD is working to provide strategies to promote resilience in students, resources for families to become connected in the community, and training for school staff to best deliver supports school-wide and in the classroom environment. We are happy to help you and your family with the transition to a new school and community. If you have any questions, please reach out to us.

Michaelle Pickle
Military Connected Liaison
Gonzalo & Sofia Garcia Elementary
mpickle@canutillo-isd.org
915-877-1201

Carla Acevedo
Student Counsel Sponsor
Camo Kids/Military Student Ambassador Co-Sponsor
Gonzalo & Sofia Garcia Elementary
cacevedo@canutillo-isd.org
915-877-1200

Ruth Escorza Romero
Safety Patrol Sponsor
Camo Kids/Military Student Ambassador Co-Sponsor
Gonzalo & Sofia Garcia Elementary
rescorzaromero@canutillo-isd.org
915-877-1200

Michaelle Pickle
Camo Kids/Military Student Ambassador Sponsor
Gonzalo & Sofia Garcia Elementary
mpickle@canutillo-isd.org
915-877-1201

Annette Gonzalez, M.Ed.
Assistant Principal
Military Family Support Administrator
Gonzalo & Sofia Garcia Elementary
amgonzalez@canutillo-isd.org
915-877-1201

Janeth Plaza, M.Ed.
Principal
Gonzalo & Sofia Garcia Elementary
jplaza@canutillo-isd.org
915-877-1201

Military Connected Family Liaison Role & Responsibilities

The main purpose of a military-connected liaison is to support students and families connected to the military by serving as a link between the military-connected family and the district. The military-connected liaison will be the first person the military-connected family will meet and assist with connecting families with the correct people to help with the registration process. All personnel on the campus are committed to providing all families with the necessary support for all students to succeed and thrive. The military-connected liaison’s role and responsibilities include the following:

Serves as the primary point of contact between military-connected students, families and the campus during transition
Works closely with school administrators, teachers, and counselors to provide a welcoming and supportive environment for the military-connected students
Effectively facilitates and advocates for services and support within the school and community to ensure that military-connected students can access the resources they need to succeed academically and socially.
Partners with the required student-led and campus transition program to ensure campus-based programs are relevant to military-connected students
Assisting students as they move between schools due to military relocations (PCS — Permanent Change of Station), ensuring smooth enrollment and credit transfers.
Provides resources to help students succeed academically, including tutoring, counseling, and special education services when needed.
Help students cope with challenges like parental deployments, frequent moves, and adjusting to new environments.
Act as a bridge between families, schools, and military resources, ensuring access to programs, scholarships, and community support.
Ensure military-connected students’ unique needs are recognized and addressed within the school system.
Educate school staff and students about the military lifestyle to build a supportive environment.

Resolution for the Support of Military Connected Families

WHEREAS, our country, state, and Canutillo Community owes our freedoms to the members of the Armed Forces and their family members who share in their service and sacrifice; and

WHEREAS, military children make unique sacrifices as their parents serve our nation, often facing frequent relocations, parental deployments, extended separations, and other challenges associated with military life; and

WHEREAS, the resilience and strength of military children contribute to the readiness and well-being of their families, which directly supports the effectiveness of our Armed Forces; and

WHEREAS, it is our duty to recognize and honor the contributions and sacrifices of military children and provide them with the necessary support to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally; and

WHEREAS, schools, communities, and organizations play a vital role in creating a welcoming and supportive environment for military children, ensuring they have access to resources and programs tailored to their unique needs; and

WHEREAS, the Canutillo High School Faculty and Staff are committed to supporting military children and their families by:

Ensuring access to high-quality educational opportunities and programs that support academic achievement and social-emotional development;
Providing resources and services to ease transitions associated with relocations and deployments;
Collaborating with military installations, community organizations, and support networks to enhance services and resources available to military families;
Recognizing April as the Month of the Military Child and encouraging activities and events that honor and celebrate military children.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that we pledge to continuously assess and improve our efforts to support military children and their families, ensuring they receive the recognition and assistance they deserve.

Adopted this 5th day of September, 2025.

Click here to view the PDF Resolution.

Relocating

To support military-connected students and their families during school transitions, our campus Military Liaison provides introductions to the school environment and campus processes as part of the enrollment and onboarding experience. When a new military family enrolls, the liaison works closely with the campus parent liaison, the registrar, counselors, and administrators to ensure that families feel welcomed, informed, and connected.

The Military Liaison provides families with an overview of the school environment, including campus expectations, daily schedules, attendance procedures, academic programs, grading practices, extracurricular opportunities, transportation procedures, meal services, and available student support services. Families are also introduced to key campus personnel such as administrators, counselors, teachers, office staff, and student support teams so they know who to contact for assistance.

In addition, new students are provided campus tours to help them become familiar with important locations such as classrooms, the cafeteria, library, counseling office, nurse’s office, gymnasium, and other common areas. When available, students may also be paired with peer ambassadors or student sponsors who help them navigate campus routines, build friendships, and become involved in school activities.

The Military Liaison also explains important enrollment and academic processes, including course scheduling, graduation requirements (when applicable), intervention supports, special programs, technology access, and communication platforms used by the school. This orientation process helps reduce anxiety, promotes a smooth transition, and ensures military-connected students and their families feel supported as they adjust to their new school community.

Tutoring Information

MIC3 Rules for Immunizations

• A child needing additional immunizations may enroll and begin school.
• Parents have 30 days to get their child immunized.
• Further immunizations must start within 30 calendar days of enrollment. Tuberculosis testing is not covered since the TB test is not an immunization but rather a health screening

Military Resources

Parent Involvement

Enrollment and registration

Canutillo ISD parents are valued partners in our district, where we believe that successful learning is best achieved through collaborative partnerships with parents, families, positive adult and student role models, and all areas of the community.

Parents help to ensure the highest levels of student learning through strong partnerships. Excellence in our school district is directly related to parent involvement and volunteer efforts. Reading to children, serving as guest speakers, assisting with PTO and on school-based improvement committees are a few of the many volunteer opportunities that await parents in Canutillo ISD. With ten schools and several service facilities, CISD appreciates the valuable time parents donate to building brighter futures for our students.

In addition to the resources found on our website, we encourage parents to contact their children’s teachers and campus office for more information and partner opportunities.

Enrollment Information

Registration information and process

Click here to visit the CISD Registration page.

Eligibility
The Compact asks school districts to examine their rules for eligibility to allow children of military parents to have the continuity they need.

Enrollment
Children of deployed service members living with non-custodial parents, relative or friends outside the school district may continue to attend their own school if the caregiver provides transportation.

A power of attorney is sufficient for enrollment and other actions requiring parental participation or consent.

Immunizations
Department of Health and Human Services website
MIC3 Rules for Immunizations

A child needing additional immunizations may enroll and begin school.
Parents have 30 days to get their child immunized.
Further immunizations must start within 30 calendar days of enrollment. Tuberculosis testing is not covered since the TB test is not an immunization but rather a health screening

Registration
Parents registering new students to Canutillo ISD will need the following documentation uploaded during the registration process, or will need to provide the documentation to the child's campus:

Military Orders
Two proofs of residency (child must be a resident within the CISD boundaries)
Current Immunization record
Parent/Guardian identification
Birth certificate
Social security
Previous school records
Proof of income
Free Public-School Pre-Kindergarten is available for a child of an active duty member of the armed forces, National Guard, or reserve component of the armed forces who is ordered to active duty by proper authority.

Education Records

Parents may take a set of unofficial records to the new school, which includes all the information the new school needs to enroll and place the child until the district receives the official records.
All sending school districts are required to forward official transcripts within 10 days of a request from the receiving state school district.

Kindergarten and first-grade entrance age

If the entrance age requirement is different, children may continue in the same grade if they have already started kindergarten or first grade.
Children are allowed to move up to first or second grade, regardless of age requirements, if they have completed kindergarten or first grade in another state.
Free Public School Prekindergarten is available for a child of an active duty member of the armed forces, National Guard, or reserve component of the armed forces who is ordered to active duty by proper authority.

Exceptional Family Members

Alert your new school and your medical provider at least 30 days ahead of your move.
Request a copy of your child’s complete educational and medical records.
Submit the records to the new school as soon as possible.

If your student is covered by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, federal law protects your child’s right to receive the same services identified in his or her existing individual education program, or IEP. Moving with an IEP

Click here to visit the CISD registration page

All campus registrations will be completed online. After students have registered online, campus registrars will communicate with parents if any further required information or documentation is needed to complete the process. If parents have a question or need assistance with online registration, please contact the registrar of your child's campus or attend one of the scheduled Parent Assistance Sessions.

The Texas Education Code (TEC) 25.001 requires schools to comply with all responsibilities concerning enrollment, withdrawals, and registrations. If you have any questions or need assistance with enrolling, withdrawing or registering your child, please contact your school.

If you require additional assistance, you may contact the Student Support Services Department at (915) 877-7650.

Families who have been displaced, experiencing homelessness, and students who are in foster care or kinship care may register without certain documents. Contact Student Support Services at (915) 877-7650 for more information.

Please note: Once the online registration paperwork is submitted, additional or updated documentation may be required at a later time. The campus registrar may need to contact you to help your registration be completed correctly.

Click here to visit the CISD Registration page.

Pre-K, Kindergarten, and Montessori

Pre-K and Kindergarten Information

Elementary Pre-K-5^th Grade

Middle School 6^th -8^th Grade

High School 9^th-12^th Grade

Enrollment information for extracurricular activities and clubs

Eligibility for Extracurricular Activities and Clubs

MIC3 Compact Rules for Eligibility Extracurricular Activities

If your child is a military-connected student, they are eligible to join extracurricular activities at school regardless of application deadlines. Schools and districts must make reasonable efforts to include military children in all activities, including tryouts, summer conditioning, and other prerequisites. Here’s what you need to know:

Eligibility: Your child can participate in activities even if application deadlines have passed.
Information access: Schools must provide all relevant information about extracurricular activities.
Communication: Schools should ensure military families have access to all communication channels for activity information.

Contact your school’s administrators or coaches to request information and support for your child’s participation in extracurricular activities. MIC3 Compact Rules Book, Chapter 600 SEC. 6.102 Eligibility for Extracurricular Participation Publications - MIC3

Afterschools Centers on Education (ACE)
Camo Kids
Folklorico
Mother/Daughter, Father/Son
Multicultural Club
No Place for Hate
Robotics
Spelling Bee
Student Council
Safety Patrol
UIL

Counseling and Support Services

Welcome to the Counseling Center

Welcome to Gonzalo & Sofia Garcia! Our Counselor is here to support every student’s academic and social-emotional development throughout their elementary journey. We believe in the potential of every student and are committed to providing a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment.

Our goal is to empower students to become confident, resilient, and well-prepared for the future.

Monica Barraza
Counselor
mbarraza@canutillo-isd.org
915.877.1226

Student Support Services

Student Support Services provides programs for academic success such as High School Equivalency Program, Safe and Drug-Free Schools, Health Services, Positive Behavior Support Initiative, Attendance/Truancy, Counseling, Mentoring, Teen Pregnancy Related Services, Parent Outreach, Adult Literacy, and Early Childhood.

Visit the Student Support Services website

Counseling Resources

Programs

Deployment Resources

How to prepare our children to stay involved in their education during deployment.

Deployment Guides

FOCUS - Family Skills Email: info@focusproject.org

Family Closeness
Routines
Goal Setting
Communication
Deployment
Emotion Regulation

Military One Source

Academic Planning

Advanced Academics & Gifted and Talented

Students in Canutillo have the opportunity to take both enrichment and advanced courses. In elementary school, students are tested for gifted potential, and if appropriate, they participate in a pull-out enrichment program based on the Texas Performance Standards Project. In grades 6-12, any student can take an advanced class in any of the four core subjects: math, reading, language arts, social studies, and/or science.

Each of our high schools helps prepare our students for college. Students have the option to take college-level courses (dual credit or AP). Also, they receive guidance on FAFSA, Apply Texas, and college entrance exams.

Academic Language Services

We provide high-quality education for all students participating in the CISD bilingual program by using data, research, and best practices.

Academic Language Services

Special Programs and Services

Child Find
Resources
Programs & Services
Response to Intervention (RTI)
Section 504 Services
Dyslexia
Transition Services
The Legal Framework
Special Education Postings
Frequently Asked Questions
Resources on Special Education in Texas
Special Education and 504 Student Records Information
Homebound Services

Graduation Requirements & College & Career Readiness

Interstate Compact

Military Interstate Children's Compact Commission

Military Interstate Children's Compact Commission (MIC3)

MIC3 resolves education and transition issues for military families nationwide in most states. This resource is very important for incoming seniors and provides helpful information for registration, course placement, and extra-curricular activities.

The Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children

Parent and Family Engagement

The role of the Parent Liaison at Gonzalo & Sofia Garcia Elementary School is to be the bridge between home and school.

Michaelle Pickle
Parent Liaison
Garcia Elementary School
Room #101
mpickle@canutillo-isd.org
915-877-1205

Please contact for assistance with the following:

Volunteer Applications
Volunteering Opportunities
Parent Trainings
Parent Workshops
Donations (always accepting donations for our students and families)
Family Outreach
Uniforms (always accepting new and gently used uniforms, blue jeans, and school supplies)
School Supplies
Shoes
Food Baskets
Social Services
Referrals
Community Closet (Gently used clothes for men, women and children)
Food Pantry
Health Clinic
Parenting Classes
Community Outreach
Folklorico Cuauhtli
Military Connected Families
Mother/Daughter & Father/Son

Committees/Volunteering

We need your input! We need your help! Parents and community members are welcome to participate in committees, task forces, parent organizations, and volunteering opportunities. For more information or to sign up for a committee, please contact your campus Parent Liaison or Student Support Services Department at 915.877.7650.

Decision-making committees
Mentoring
School or District Volunteer
Parent Teacher Organization (PTO)/Parent Club
Health/Wellness Committee
Campus Improvement Committee (CIC)
Language Proficiency Assessment Committee (LPAC)
Parent Advisory Council (PAC)
Positive Behavior Interventions Support Team (PBIS)
School Health Advisory Council (SHAC)
District Parent Leadership Team (PLT)
District Advisory Council (DAC)

Resources

Student Support Services

Student Support Services provides programs for academic success such as High School Equivalency Program, Safe and Drug-Free Schools, Health Services, Positive Behavior Support Initiative, Attendance/Truancy, Counseling, Mentoring, Teen Pregnancy Related Services, Parent Outreach, Adult Literacy, and Early Childhood.

Programs

Deployment Resources

How to prepare our children to stay involved in their education during deployment.
Deployment Guides
FOCUS - Family Skills
- Family Closeness
- Routines
- Goal Setting
- Communication
- Deployment
- Emotion Regulation

Contact Us