Military Connected Families

Fill out the Military-Connected Family Survey

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.

Chelsea Anchieta
School Counselor & Campus Military Liaison
canchieta@canutillo-isd.org
915-877-6826

Simone Wendlandt-Hendricks
Ft. Bliss School Liaison Officer
simone.c.wendlandt-hendricks.naf@army.mil
915-568-6555

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:

1. Serves as the primary point of contact between military connected students, families and the campus during transition
2. Works closely with school administrators, teachers, and counselors to provide a welcoming and supportive environment for the military connected students
3. 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.
4. Partners with the required student-led and campus transition program to ensure campus-based programs are relevant to military connected students
5. Assisting students as they move between schools due to military relocations (PCS — Permanent Change of Station), ensuring smooth enrollment and credit transfers.
6. Provides resources to help students succeed academically, including tutoring, counseling, and special education services when needed.
7. Help students cope with challenges like parental deployments, frequent moves, and adjusting to new environments.
8. Act as a bridge between families, schools, and military resources, ensuring access to programs, scholarships, and community support.
9. Ensure military-connected students’ unique needs are recognized and addressed within the school system.
10. Educate school staff and students about the military lifestyle to build a supportive environment.

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 PTA 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.

Click here to visit the registration page

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

Here at Jose Damian Elementary, we offer the following activities and clubs:

• JDE Kindness Club
• Camo Kids Club
• Robotics
• UIL
• Mother/Daughter - Father/Son Program
• Girls Who Code
• Design Club
• Student Council
• Journalism
• And more!

Welcome to our counseling center! Our team is here to support every student’s academic, social-emotional, and college/career development throughout their high school journey. We believe in the potential of every student and are committed to providing a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment.

Whether you're looking for guidance on course selections, need someone to talk to, or are exploring post-graduation options, we’re here to help. Our goal is to empower students to become confident, resilient, and well-prepared for the future.

Click here to access our District Counseling Website

Advanced Academics & Gifted and Talented

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.

Visit the Advanced Academics & GT page

Academic Language Services

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

Visit the Academic Language Services page

Athletics

Visit the Athletics Page

Career &Tech Student Organizations

Visit the Career & Tech Student Organizations page

Career Pathways – Career & Technical Education

Visit the CTE Academies & Faculty page

Visit the CTE Course Endorsements page

P-TECH

Visit the P-TECH page

Naval Junior ROTC

Special Programs and Services

Our Special Programs & Services are dedicated to supporting our students and parents. Our purpose is to provide you with valuable resources, information and guidance to ensure the best possible education for your child.

Visit the Special Programs and Services page

Pre-K and Kindergarten

Kinder ready. College ready. The Canutillo Independent School District understands the importance of a strong foundation for students. It is now offering a new full-day pre-kindergarten program free of charge at all campuses for qualified El Paso-area families.

Visit the Pre-K and Kindergarten page

Montessori

Canutillo ISD is excited to expand its early childhood program by enrolling 3-year-olds in the first public Montessori program in the region. This free, dual-language program will offer young children in the community an opportunity to learn at their own pace through hands-on experiences while developing real-world skills.

Visit the Montessori page

After-School Programs

Canutillo ISD is excited to be the recipient of the Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers competitive grant, also known as Texas ACE (Afterschool Centers on Education). The grant will support the creation of community learning centers that provide academic and enrichment opportunities after school and during summer at five of our elementary schools. 

Visit the After-School Programs page

Parent and Family Engagement

• Community Outreach
• Military Connected Families

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 our 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

• A Parent Checklist
• Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA) Family Day
• School Community Network
• Parenting Wisely
• Financial Aid

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, Early Childhood.

Visit the Student Support Services page 

Programs

• Educational Support Programs
• Parent and Family Engagement
• Holistic Health
• Support Programs
• Community Connections

• How to prepare our children to stay involved in their education during deployment.
• Deployment Guides for Families

Click here to view the JDE Military Resolution

All military-connected students are invited to join our military campus transition program. The Camo Kids Club meets regularly to introduce military-connected students to our school environment and ensures that our new students feel welcome and included at our school.

Click here to view the Student Code of Conduct

View the CISD Background Check Process

• MIC3 Website
• Military Interstate Compact
• Military Child Education Coalition
• Free Online Tutoring

• A Military Family Guide to School Transitions
• Military and Family Life Counseling
• NAMI Counseling and Community Resources Directory