About Suzan Kurdak
Suzan Kurdak is a published author, blogger, and communication specialist who joined Florida Virtual School in 2011. She is passionate about boosting and encouraging others to live life to their fullest potential.
A Seatbelt Can Save
By Suzan Kurdak on April 12th, 2019
One of the many things I love about Tallahassee is the trees. Beautiful, shade-providing, mature live oaks. It’s the tree-lined entrance of my subdivision that captivated me at first site and drew me to live here. It’s so un-Florida like—feels more like North Carolina and my northeastern upbringing.
Earlier, as I left my home and got in my car to go meet a friend for a meal, I decided to make a quick phone call. Bluetooth can be a beautiful thing. The person who I had just called answered when I heard what sounded like a smash ahead of me. Continue reading
Every Week Should be Children’s Week
By Suzan Kurdak on April 3rd, 2019
Do you feel that? It’s spring. Flashback with me to times of simple childhood pleasures…picking little bouquets of yellow dandelions, blowing on those puffy spheres to scatter the seeds in the wind. Using color chalk to play hopscotch in the driveway. And pinwheels. The simple joy of making those colorful curls whirl and twirl. Ah, simpler times with not a care in the world.
That was my childhood. Continue reading
Hello! Learning a Language is Good for You!
By Suzan Kurdak on October 2nd, 2018
Hola! Bonjour! Nín hǎo! Salve! Merhaba!
No matter how you say it, learning a foreign language is beneficial to you in many ways.
When I was in high school (many years ago), I viewed taking two years of foreign language as simply a duty to fulfill my graduation course requirements; that unless I was fluent, a different language wouldn’t benefit me in life. (I also felt this way about math courses such as Geometry; sorry math teachers and lovers.) I would sure love to go back and redo it again now (language, not math).
In no particular order, here are a few reasons why I’ve learned that learning a foreign language is important. Continue reading
Top 3 Reasons to Join a Club This Year
By Suzan Kurdak on August 29th, 2018
Want to make new friends and connect with other students? Have interests or hobbies you would like to explore? Joining a club (or several) is the perfect way to engage beyond the physical or virtual classroom! FLVS offers dozens of clubs for students of all grade levels! Learn more at our Virtual Club Rush open house event on Thursday, Aug. 30 from 4-7 p.m.
Studies have shown that joining a student club is beneficial both personally and professionally, and here are our top three reasons why. Continue reading
Online Learning: A 20 Year Journey
By Suzan Kurdak 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
For the Love of Grammar
By Suzan Kurdak on March 2nd, 2018
What’s something everyone uses every single day, but is not often thought about? Give up? It’s grammar!
National Grammar Day is observed in the United States on March 4. It was established in 2008 by Martha Brockenbrough, author of “Things That Make Us [Sic]” and founder of the Society for the Promotion of Good Grammar. Continue reading
FLVS Flex Elementary Enrollment Now Open
By Suzan Kurdak on July 25th, 2017
August is just around the corner and that means it’s time to begin planning to go back to school!
Last month, Governor Rick Scott signed a bill which included language to remove eligibility requirements for certain elementary students wishing to enroll in FLVS. This means that ALL Kindergarten-12th grade students in Florida are now able to enroll in FLVS – including our Flex Elementary classes!
FLVS Flex Elementary is an innovative program free to all Florida students in Kindergarten-5th grade, and enrollment is underway.
The program follows a semester-based schedule with flexible enrollment options available during the school year, allowing students to complete assignments following a suggested weekly pace with parent guidance.
Scheduling can be adjusted to accommodate each student’s needs and enrollment date. Students meet with classmates and their teacher twice a week for online live video lessons or “Class Time,” giving them an opportunity to interact in real time. Continue reading
5 Tips for a Great Summer
By Suzan Kurdak on June 29th, 2017
It’s finally here!
Summer is in full swing, and if you’re a student, that most likely means no schoolwork and no intensive schedule to follow.
You’re ready to relax as you’ve worked hard and earned this welcomed break. It may feel like summer will last forever and that you’ll have plenty of time to do all those things you think of doing during the school year.
But while summer is a nice stretch of time, June, July, and August go all too quick…
(Can you believe it’s almost July already?)
So to make the most of the endless sunshine, here are five thoughts on how to make your summer great. Continue reading
Pinwheels for Prevention
By Suzan Kurdak on April 18th, 2017
This post was written in recognition of Child Abuse Prevention Month.
My first realization that not all parents behave as loving parents was in the third grade with news that Penny’s mom had hit her over the head with a trophy. It was shocking, as child abuse was not a topic you typically heard of in the 70s, but conversations soon sprouted throughout our small suburban school and community.
Fast forward to today, and news of children being neglected and abused is far too prevalent.
Every child deserves to grow up in a safe and loving environment and it is our duty as parents, educators—as humans—to look after them.
Over the past few weeks, you may have noticed pinwheels have popped up in your community and throughout Florida. A ceremony was held in Tallahassee earlier this month on the lawn of the Turlington Building, which serves as the home of the Florida Department of Education. These pinwheels represent Pinwheels for Prevention, a national campaign that engages communities in a coordinated effort to prevent child abuse. Continue reading
Make, Bake, Partake – Volunteering at School
By Suzan Kurdak on April 17th, 2017
My mom was blessed with the baking and hospitality gene. As far back as I can recall, she loved to play hostess—still does, and when people come over, she has a quiet way of honoring them and making them feel special. It shows in the details, from a sparkling clean house to using the good dishes and serving delectable treats.
I remember my mom volunteered to be the class mom for Mrs. Kast’s second grade class in New York. I glowed whenever she’d come into my classroom to drop off some cut outs for a project we were working on, or when she’d bring in homemade cupcakes for a class party. And while I just thought I had the coolest mom in the world, she had sneakily found a way to stay connected to me during the school day.
April is Florida School Volunteer Appreciation Month and today marks the first day of Public School Volunteer Week. Continue reading