Kick the New Year’s Resolution for Something Better
By Guest Blogger on January 4th, 2017
This is the seventh post in a series by former FLVS student Makaila, a model, author, and student advocate.
Ah…the New Year. It seems to be that every New Year, we set our expectations so high we surely cannot keep them.
Well, not this year!
Instead, set the bar high for yourself in 2017– but keep it attainable. Better yet, instead of having some New Year’s resolution that we both know won’t last, focus on something that matters – your dreams.
Ask yourself, what is it that you want to accomplish this year? Do you want to chase your dreams and be the best you can in school? Maybe your vision is elsewhere, America’s Next Top Model…or perhaps an X-Games stunt driver?
No matter what your dream is, focus your efforts on how to get there.
When I was younger, New Year’s became my “crunch time.” Continue reading
Homeschooling: The Big Question
By Guest Blogger on December 26th, 2016
Choosing to homeschool was not something I initially chose.
Sometimes, I think it chose me. At the age of 2, my son was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. Although the illness is very serious, I truly thought that schooling at the local public school near our home was going to be just fine. After all, I successfully attended public school growing up, so I really didn’t think it would be that different.
Sadly, I was shocked to discover just how much things had changed since I was a child. Within the first two weeks of Kindergarten starting at the local brick-and-mortar school, I found myself having to withdraw my child from public school and enroll him into Florida Virtual School. The bottom line was that the brick-and-mortar school could not truly handle my son’s diabetes, and homeschooling appeared to be the solution.
The idea of homeschooling my son seemed to be rather intimidating, scary, and far-fetched. Continue reading
Holiday Truths
By Guest Blogger on December 12th, 2016
This is the sixth post in a series by former FLVS student Makaila, a model, author, and anti-bullying advocate.
The holiday season is upon us, which means two things. One, the holidays are almost here, but more importantly, winter break is closer than you think.
Let this winter break be one that will go down in history as one of your most productive times of the year. After your finals or year-end assignments, sit back and relax and hangout with those who mean something special to you.
The past year may have been rough, and at times like this, it is perfect to reflect on those who have stuck by your side through thick and thin. And for those who haven’t, maybe this is the perfect time to let go so you can start fresh in the new year. Weed out the negative people in your life, and appreciate the right ones.
Take time this holiday season to learn and reflect on the things you wish you could have changed, like relationships and other endeavors…or even if you procrastinated a little too much. But wait – if you are focused on becoming better next year (which is so close), you may wonder “What did I do wrong?” Well, we all do things wrong. No one is perfect and now is a great time to realize that. Continue reading
Catching Up with a Computer Science Expert
By Guest Blogger on December 9th, 2016
To get a better idea of what Computer Science Education Week and Hour of Code is all about, FLVS Content Writer Irene Pynn-Cunha sat down to chat with Amie Ross, FLVS Computer Science instructor.
Mrs. Ross looks forward to Computer Science Education Week every year. In the past, she’s worked with students both online and face to face. She loves watching mental light bulbs go off all around the room as, one by one, students who thought they would never learn to code begin solving programming puzzles.
“When something works,” she says, “the excitement on their faces, that’s really cool.”
This year, she’ll be helping students with one of her favorite puzzles: a storybook about Santa’s missing socks. It may seem like a simple exercise, but by the end, students discover they’ve just worked through a challenging computer science concept: the binary search.
Mrs. Ross says one of the great benefits of Computer Science Education Week and Hour of Code is that participants “tackle very complicated concepts without even realizing it.” In many ways, this is the key to showing students that programming actually is for anyone. In fact, she says, programming is a heavily creative field. “I’ve watched a lot of students really surprise themselves,” she says. “There isn’t just one type of person who gets into programming.” Continue reading
Thankful for the Mountains We Climb
By Guest Blogger on November 22nd, 2016
2016 is an incredible time to be a teacher.
I am grateful for each and every day I get to work alongside the best of the best in education.
While expectations are high, standards seem impossible to meet, and the everyday trials and struggles we face seem endless, this time in our country and our world is truly an incredible time to be a teacher. We have so much more access to research about how and why we learn. We have clearer pictures of our brains and all they can accomplish.
We might be up against some very difficult mountains to climb, but the teachers that have gone before us have never been as well equipped as we are today.
As a teacher I’ve always been fascinated with the brain – how it operates so much more than just our physical bodies. Each and every day, new research is published confirming something I think teachers have always known. Continue reading
Twins Receive President’s Volunteer Service Award
By Guest Blogger on November 17th, 2016
Jonathan and Christopher Collins, FLVS Full Time students in Ocala, were recently honored for their exemplary volunteer service with the President’s Volunteer Service Award.
The twins, currently in 10th grade, have participated in more than 100 hours of service during the past 12 months.
The President’s Volunteer Service Award is bestowed upon Americans of all ages who have volunteered significant amounts of their time in service to their community and their country. The Collins twins were presented with the award by Center Point Community Church in Naples.
“I have a passion for helping others and for making a difference in my community,” Jonathan said. “It was an honor to be able to assist children grow and learn; however, I discovered in this process that I was the one who was being richly blessed. Although it was hard work and many days I left tired, I was excited that I knew I made a difference that day.” Continue reading
Ups and Downs of Friendship
By Guest Blogger on November 15th, 2016
This is the fifth post in a series by former FLVS student Makaila, a model, author, and anti-bullying advocate.
It’s finally November, a time to be grateful for everything that we have. I am grateful for so much in my life: my family, pets, opportunities, and friends.
However, in this particular case, I am so grateful for my friends.
I haven’t always had the best of luck when it comes to lasting friendships. When we are young, we want to believe that every relationship we form will last forever, and clearly, that just isn’t the case. At first it hurts, realizing that someone will not always be there for you. Unfortunately, that is what happens when it comes to life. But I have learned that people come into your life with a purpose; once fulfilled, they have done their part in making you, you.
This isn’t to say that you will not find your forever friends – rest assured you will have a few. Continue reading
Be Thankful for Freedom this Veterans Day
By Guest Blogger on November 11th, 2016
And I’m proud to be an American…
…where at least I know I’m free. And I won’t forget the ones who died who gave that right to me. And I’ll gladly stand up next to you and defend her still today. Cause there ain’t no doubt I love this land, God Bless the USA. – Lee Greenwood, Songwriter
I am proud to be an American. There is no doubt in my mind that we live in the greatest country in the world. We are very fortunate to enjoy many liberties. We are free, and I for one, am very thankful for my freedom.
On this Veterans Day, as our nation decompresses from a highly contentious race to the White House, let us celebrate this historic day by honoring the brave men and women who have served in the United States Armed Forces. Continue reading
Vote for FLVS Elementary!
By Guest Blogger on October 28th, 2016
The first day I took my son to Kindergarten, there were some chairs stacked outside his classroom in the hallway and I actually thought about climbing up the chairs to “peek in” and see how he was doing.
I wanted to know what he looked like in class, how he did with the other kids, and how the teacher treated him.
At FLVS Elementary, our parents tell us they have learned so much about teaching by watching our first-rate teachers.
Our Elementary program is currently up for an Innovate to Educate award for our “Innovative Class Time for Virtual School Students” and you can help!
Vote for us to win every day on Facebook through October 31, 2016. Continue reading
No Bull
By Guest Blogger on October 26th, 2016
This is the fourth post in a series by former FLVS student Makaila, a model, author, and anti-bullying advocate.
Did you know October is National Anti-Bullying Month?
Let’s be honest. How many of you have suffered at the hands of a bully but chose to do nothing about it?
I’ve been there too.
As a matter of fact, when I was 14, I was bullied unmercifully.
It all started when I began modeling and I had to lose weight. At 5’11 and a weight of 135 pounds, one wouldn’t expect to be told to “lose 10.” But, I had to – and let me start off by saying it was beyond difficult.
I no longer could eat potato chips, ice cream, or other foods I once loved so dearly. Instead, I munched on veggies, protein, and more veggies. I was proud of myself for establishing some self-control and saw the pounds melting off, but my peers thought I was crazy. My once former “friends” (and I use that term loosely) became some of my biggest opponents. Continue reading