Flexibility
Online Learning in 2021 and Beyond: Insights from FLVS Parents
By Florida Virtual School on May 3rd, 2021
Last year, we saw one of society’s most significant cultural shifts as people transitioned from in-person birthday parties to Zoom parties, everyday outings to at-home alternatives, and traditional classrooms to online learning. The COVID-19 pandemic changed everything about how people worked, lived, and learned.
While the transition to a stay-at-home lifestyle and online learning presented challenges, it also provided many families with a new sense of safety and flexibility. And it’s not surprising that with the end of the 2020-21 school year approaching (the first full year of virtual learning for many), parents have a new take on online learning and how it fits into their families’ post-pandemic lives.
Continue readingTwins Share Double Love for FlexPoint Virtual School
By Florida Virtual School on October 28th, 2020
Twins share a special bond and connection with one another for life, and while each is a unique individual, there are often many similarities. We’re pleased to introduce you to Carmen and David Reisdorf, two amazing students who reside in Houston, Texas.
Continue readingMeet Jack, FLVS Student Cyclist
By Florida Virtual School on August 31st, 2020
Jack Mizzoni is a student cyclist from Ocala who takes courses with FLVS Flex. When he is not working on his FLVS coursework, you can usually find him training on his mountain bike!
Now entering 10th grade, Jack has been taking online courses with FLVS since middle school. This past summer, he enrolled in Personal Financial Literacy. Jack loves to “flex” his time and often works on his schoolwork while traveling across the southeast racing his bike. He’s even been known to complete discussion-based assessment (DBA) with his teacher while on two wheels!
Continue readingWeek of the Young Child
By Guest Blogger on April 26th, 2017
This week, the National Association for the Education of Young Children is recognizing young learners by celebrating early learning, young children, their teachers, and their families.
I can think of no better time to observe the importance of educating young students.
As the FLVS Full Time school leader for Kindergarten – 5th grade at our statewide tuition-free public school, I see the hard work and tireless efforts our teachers, families, and staff make to encourage and celebrate our young learners every day.
Online schools like FLVS Full Time bring high-quality education to some of the state’s littlest learners, providing a standards-aligned curriculum, structure, and support to families who seek increased flexibility, a safe learning environment, or more involvement in their student’s education.
For young students at FLVS Full Time, a parent or trusted adult plays a key role as a Learning Coach, working closely with the teacher to create a supportive learning environment in the home. While teachers are responsible for the instruction of students—providing lessons, working through the curriculum, and grading assignments—the Learning Coach helps oversee the academics at home. Continue reading
Meet FLVS Student Olivia McComb
By Guest Blogger on February 9th, 2017
This article was originally written and published in the FLVS student newspaper, News in a Click.
For FLVS student Olivia McComb, music is her life.
As a classic rock musician based in Sarasota, Florida, the 15-year-old has been singing “ever since she could talk.” Olivia has performed live at multiple venues singing both classic rock and 90’s music.
She says, “I entertained the idea of being a singer for many years, but when I was 11, I started taking the idea seriously and at 13 I started training my voice to sing professionally.”
A teen of many talents, Olivia primarily plays seven instruments: guitar, piano, drums and cajon, bass, ukulele and tambourine.
In addition, she enjoys writing her own songs and lyrics. “Playing around with progressions on guitar and piano is extremely fun.” Continue reading
Having the Choice to Travel
By Florida Virtual School on January 26th, 2017
National School Choice Week is all about getting to choose the best educational option for your children.
The Didier family chose virtual education so they could travel the world!
This spring, the family will spend one month each in Rome, Barcelona, and Paris. By attending FLVS, the students are able to stay up-to-date with their classes, as well as experience different cultures around the world!
Meet a few other students who have traveled the world, pursued their dreams, and excelled in their personal and professional lives by reading these student success stories. Continue reading
Cooney World Adventures Blog Series
By Guest Blogger on July 19th, 2016
If you’ve ever dreamed of traveling the world, it may not be as complicated as you think.
In 2008, Mike Cooney traveled the world with his wife, Catrell, and three teenage sons, Morgan, Zach, and Harrison, who studied online with FLVS. After selling their home, downsizing, and packing up their belongings, the family traveled across six continents and 22 countries…more than 61,000 miles! Today, Mike shares their experiences at speaking events and talks about his book which details their adventures. As Mike likes to say, “If we can do it, anyone can!”
In a year-long blog series on The Virtual Voice, Morgan, Zach, and Harrison and their parents shared their experience: Continue reading
A Life-Changing Experience
By Guest Blogger on April 20th, 2016
This is the final post in a series by the Cooney family about their world travels, made possible by the flexible learning offered at FLVS.
For the past 12 months, my family and I have been recounting our trek around the world and sharing what it meant to each of us.
Although it’s been nearly seven years since we returned in September 2009, there is not a day that goes by we don’t think about what the trek meant to us individually and collectively. Needless to say, it was a life-changing experience for each of us. My wife Catrell and I set several goals before leaving on our trek and they were all met. Continue reading
A Narrow Piece of Geography
By Guest Blogger on March 16th, 2016
This is the 11th post in a series by the Cooney family about their world travels, made possible by the flexible learning offered at FLVS.
Our around the world trek was accomplished in two stages.
The first lasted four months and we backpacked through Central and South America. After returning home for a short visit, we resumed our trek, which lasted seven months. During our odyssey, we traveled to six continents, visited 22 countries and covered more than 61,000 miles. Although we did circumnavigate the globe, the fact is we only traveled a narrow piece of geography.
No matter how well-traveled someone is, they tend to stay within the lines – back roads, hiking trails, plane routes and highways. We were no different. Through Central and South America, we traveled almost entirely by bus – from “chicken buses” packed with 30 people when there should have only been 15, to a luxury motor coach that had its equivalent of a flight attendant onboard. Continue reading
How Online Learning Helped our Dream Come True
By Guest Blogger on February 29th, 2016
This is the tenth post in a series by the Cooney family about their world travels, made possible by the flexible learning offered at FLVS.
As any parent knows who has children enrolled in an online learning program, there are pros and cons.
In most cases the pros outweigh the cons, which is why the number of options for online learning have exploded in recent years.
Whether someone is simply brushing up on basic skills, completing a Kindergarten-12 class or working on his or her PhD, online learning has become deeply rooted in our educational infrastructure.
Continue reading