Meet Sierra, FLVS Student & Shark Barrier Inventor
By Guest Blogger on July 27th, 2018
My name is Sierra and Florida Virtual School has provided me the opportunity to pursue various ambitions. My first step with FLVS was taken when I was in 7th grade. This year, I will be going into 11th grade with FLVS Flex. When I attended public school, I was harassed to the extent I had no choice but to leave the school. After much discussion, my parents and I agreed that FLVS was my best option. The summer I started virtual school was peaceful. I just had my school work, family, and the freedom to explore. It was the first time that year that I didn’t have to worry about being bullied.
With my newfound freedom, I watched my first Shark Week episode that summer. My mom and I spent the rest of that week watching, including an episode featuring Dr. Craig O’Connell’s Shark Safe Barrier. The concept of an innovative shark barrier sparked my imagination and was tangled in my thoughts for a while. Continue reading
Online Learning: A 20 Year Journey
By Guest Blogger on June 19th, 2018
If you asked me 20 years ago where I saw myself in the future, I’m not sure I would have said I’d be at Florida Virtual School (FLVS) as a Communications Specialist. My love of writing came while in second grade when my teacher, Mrs. Kast, told me I was a natural writer, so the communications part fits. But 20 years ago, I did not have a clue what a virtual school was.
Neither did most of the world. Continue reading
What’s Online Elementary School Really Like?
By Guest Blogger on June 12th, 2018
Duck, duck, goose…I spy…finger painting…counting to 10…following the leader…
These activities are instinctively elementary. So, what happens when such a tangible experience goes virtual? It gets personal!
In 2018, FLVS is introducing a new 48-course elementary curriculum that includes English Language Arts, Math, Science, Social Studies, Spanish, Art, and Technology. From Kindergarten through 5th grade, all these courses have a few things in common: they’re hands-on, empowering, and designed with elementary students in mind. Each course incorporates activities students can do in their own home, encourages them to use their personal experiences to power their learning, and includes plenty of teacher time to support individual students. It doesn’t get more personal than that. Continue reading
Congratulations, Graduates!
By Guest Blogger on June 7th, 2018
This post was written by 2017-18 FLVS Full Time Senior Class President, McKenzie Underwood.
Class of 2018, we made it! After counting down the days until graduation all year, we finally crossed the finish line. There is not a single person who did not work extremely hard to get this far. All the late nights studying, the DBAs, the live lessons, the collaborations, the final exams, they were all worth it. Be proud of yourselves, you didn’t get here by mistake.
I would like to take a moment to acknowledge some of the amazing people who helped us get through the past four years of high school. Continue reading
Taking a Chance on Innovation
By Guest Blogger on May 31st, 2018
Today, options have become a staple in nearly all aspects of life, so it’s really no surprise that educational options exist in the modern-day student’s life. But how did it get that way?
Well, it didn’t just happen overnight. Education policies and practices tend to change very slowly. Continue reading
Class of 2018 Senior Survival Guide
By Guest Blogger on May 24th, 2018
Earlier this year, our FLVS Full Time Senior Class officers presented a “Senior Survival Guide” to the current juniors. Their presentation was fantastic and full of great tips from the viewpoint of a student. Whether you’re looking ahead to senior year or graduation is a few years down the road, several of these tips for FLVS students apply to any grade level.
Now without further ado, here are the top 10 tips for surviving senior year at FLVS from our Class of 2018.
Celebrating a Year of High School Success
By Guest Blogger on May 24th, 2018
As the FLVS Full Time High School Principal, I am happy to report that we saw more student success in our courses this school year than ever before.
For both students and staff, the beginning of the 2017-18 school year was not quite as expected. We had a visitor named Irma that was intent on making our start anything but smooth. Irma did present us with some challenges, but our students stood tall and persevered through it all. Continue reading
Meet our Middle School Megabytes
By Guest Blogger on May 21st, 2018
Are you a current FLVS Megabyte? Or looking to join our incredible middle school family at FLVS Full Time?
As our FLVS Full Time students in grades 6-8 wrap up the school year, our incredible staff of dedicated educators are starting to plan for our 2018-19 school year! As the FLVS Full Time Middle School Principal, I am proud to give a sneak peek into the passion and commitment we have at our school. Continue reading
FLVS Flex Elementary Hosts First Career Day
By Guest Blogger on May 2nd, 2018
One might ask if hosting a virtual Career Day for online learners is even possible. On Wednesday, April 25, 2018, FLVS Flex Elementary learned that it is not only possible but also transcends the barriers that brick-and-mortar Career Days sometimes involve.
Our teachers, staff, and special guests blazed the trail with “can-do” attitudes, providing an opportunity for virtual elementary students to connect current academics with future career paths. Continue reading
FLVS Follows Science on Its Way to Space
By Guest Blogger on April 30th, 2018
On April 2, 2018, the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket blasted into space with the Dragon spacecraft – sending fascinating science experiments and supplies to the International Space Station.
FLVS was invited to share the experience with our students and followers through social media, including a behind-the-scenes tour of NASA facilities at Kennedy Space Center prior to launch. Continue reading