Ellen Truskowski is the Pinellas County Schools director of Student Assignment. Her office helps families register for school and apply for district educational opportunities, such as magnet programs.
Hello, I am Ellen Truskowski, Pinellas County Schools’ new director of Student Assignment. I have served in this role for several months, but I wanted to formally introduce myself. I previously oversaw our district’s magnet programs.
My office helps families register for school and apply for district educational opportunities, such as magnet programs. Remember: We are here to support you. We want you to find the right educational option for your child. If you have any questions, please reach out to our office at StudentAssignment@pcsb.org or 727-588-6210.
In the meantime, here are some tips to help you get ready for the new school year:
Visit the Pinellas County Schools website
One of the best places for back-to-school information is the Pinellas County Schools website, www.pcsb.org. You’ll find a link to our online Back-to-School Guide that includes the student calendar, report card schedules, lunch information and more.
Make sure the school district has your up-to-date contact information
Don’t miss out on important information. Pinellas County Schools needs accurate contact information to call and email families about crucial information, such as:
- Emergencies, health updates or severe weather
- School or district events
- Special application opportunities
To update your phone and email address:
- Visit https://reservation.pcsb.org, and log in with your parent username and password. If you do not have a username or forgot yours, please bring a valid photo ID to any of our schools.
- Select the option: “Change Phone and Email Address Only”
- Enter your child’s name and date of birth or student ID number, and update your phone number and email address.
Remember: Updating the emergency contact card or clinic card at your child’s school does not update your contact information in the system we use for automated phone calls and emails.
Get text message notifications
Another way to ensure you get emergency notifications is to opt in for text messages. Pinellas County Schools uses a system called School Messenger to send text messages with essential updates and emergency information. Employees, parents and guardians of students who attend Pinellas County Schools can opt in to receive text messages by texting “Yes” to the number 67587. If you opted in before, you don’t need to do it again. Please note: The mobile number used to opt in must already be on file with the school district. Learn more at www.pcsb.org/textmessages.
Have you moved?
If you have recently moved and your child previously attended a district school, please make sure Pinellas County Schools has your current address. Log into the district’s Student Reservation System at https://reservation.pcsb.org using your PCS parent username and password.
Follow the prompts to change your address. Your child may be assigned to a different school based on your new address. However, parents can choose to have their children remain at the same school for the 2021-2022 school year if they provide transportation themselves. Contact the Student Assignment at 727-588-6210 with any questions.
Bus information
If your child is currently registered and eligible to ride a bus, you should receive a postcard with your child’s bus information by early August. If you do not receive a postcard or if you have questions about school transportation, please call the Transportation Call Center at 727-587-2020.
Bus notification system
The Bus Bulletin notification system notifies parents, students and schools when there are bus delays, substitute drivers or bus changes. If you would like to receive instant notifications about situations affecting your child’s bus, please register with Bus Bulletin. You can choose how you want to be notified: text messages, phones calls, and/or emails. Learn more at www.pcsb.org/busbulletin. If you need help with registration, call Pinellas County Schools Transportation Department at 727-587-2020. Please note: Bus Bulletin is not related to Pinellas County Schools emergency text message communications through School Messenger.
New students
If you are new to the school district or have a child entering school for the first time and you have questions about the registration process, please visit www.pcsb.org/new. There are three key steps to register your child for school:
Step 1: Find your Zoned School:
To find your child’s zoned school, visit www.pcsb.org/zone. Enter your house number and the first few characters of your street. The locator will find your complete address and show you your zoned school.
Step 2: Reserve a seat:
Visit the Student Reservation System at https://reservation.pcsb.org to reserve a seat in your child’s zoned school. You can reserve a seat using any computer, including ones in school offices. To use the system, you will need a parent username and password. You can get one by visiting any district school with valid ID. If you already have a parent account for another child, you do not have to get a new one.
Step 3: Register:
The final step is to visit your child’s assigned school with your valid ID and required documents. Required documents include a birth certificate, Florida Certificate of Immunization, physical examination certificate, and two documents that prove where you live. You can find more information, plus details about all required documents, at www.pcsb.org/new.
Connect with the Student Assignment Office
The Student Assignment Office is in the Pinellas County Schools Administration Building at 301 Fourth St. SW in Largo. Our offices are open 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday-Friday. Contact us the Student Assignment office at StudentAssignment@pcsb.org or 727-588-6210.
