Full Time Edition
Inspirational Quotes to Share with Students
By Guest Blogger on August 17th, 2017
School counselors are in the unique position to support students with issues related to both school and home life. They are trained to provide counseling and guidance to students of all ages.
This guidance may take the form of one-on-one sessions or phone calls with online students, presentations to high school classes about college applications, family support and information nights, or small group peer-relation work. Continue reading
New Course and Certification Opportunities
By Elizabeth Fulcher on August 9th, 2017
Many don’t like to see stores stocking back-to-school supplies as early as mid-July.
I personally love it! As a parent and educator, I believe it’s a fresh start for students and teachers. Here at Florida Virtual School, we have students who take classes year round in our Flex program, but we also have students who follow a more traditional calendar with our Full Time program. Full Time students will be returning to school this month, and I want to share some of the exciting things happening this school year.
I’m particularly thrilled for FLVS Full Time students to come back this fall. If you’re attending FLVS Full Time this year, find resources to help you start the year off here! Continue reading
If You Build It, They Will Come
By Jennifer Whiting on July 31st, 2017
It was late 1997. A group of six teachers and four support personnel had spent five months learning about teaching online from any source we could find.
We were building courses in Lotus Learning Space, and preparing to register kids for this new thing called Florida High School. There had been tears, there had been elation, and there had been a lot of supposition about what teaching online meant.
We nervously sat around a small round conference table waiting for the phone to ring after we opened registration for the first time ever. We kept saying to each other, “If we build it, they will come,” but would students really want to try this? The “Web School” pilot in Orange County in the 1996-97 school year drew some students, so we had hope.
Finally, after an excruciating wait, the phone rang. We had our first student! Continue reading
Behind the Scenes of the FLVS Full Time Newscast
By Rose Rodriguez on June 27th, 2017
Lights, Camera, Action! Our FLVS Full Time high school has made more FLVS history by launching a live-streaming news show.
The premiere was broadcast on Monday, March 13 on our YouTube Mega News Network (MNN).
This is a new format for FLVS Full Time in which a live host presents a mixture of media and pre-recorded material to deliver school news and announcements in an entertaining way, targeting our audience of students and families who are very familiar with the YouTube culture.
As the sponsor for this new student opportunity, I had the pleasure of hosting the premiere and had a lot of fun opening the show with an Oscar-themed skit. The show also featured a pre-recorded segment with Peer Ambassadors Zeynab and Keren, as well as an animated commercial created by Peer Ambassador Maleeka.
I had a chance to speak with our Principal, Ken Henson, after the show’s season finale back in May. Continue reading
AP Classes vs. Dual Enrollment
By Guest Blogger on June 15th, 2017
This article was originally written and published in the FLVS student newspaper, News in a Click.
It’s a common question among high school students and their parents: AP classes or dual enrollment?
While there is no right answer for every student, each individual might find that one or both of these options suits them best. Each choice allows students to be challenged by rigorous classes, obtain college credit, improve their college applications and save money on college tuition costs. However, location, qualification requirements, method of obtaining college credit, class offerings and costs differ.
AP, or Advanced Placement, classes are created by AP development committees for the College Board. Each AP class has its own development committee comprised of six or seven high school and college instructors from around the country. The classes (including online Advanced Placement courses) and their respective exams are meant to reflect the curriculum students would encounter in a college-equivalent of that class’ subject, while in a high school setting. Continue reading
Reflections from the Class of 2017
By Guest Blogger on June 7th, 2017
This post was written by FLVS Full Time National Honor Society President, Olivia Horne.
Family and friends – thank you for providing unwavering support, love and encouragement as we pursue our futures.
Teachers and staff – thank you for making those futures possible through your ability to make lifelong learning fun and our dreams accessible.
Fellow graduates – congratulations! From DBAs, to lives lessons, from collaborations to finals, we have each worked incredibly hard. We did it.
As we reach the end of our high school careers, it is only natural for us to reflect upon what led us here. And while our personal histories might differ greatly, we do have one thing in common: the community that is FLVS.
We, Class of 2017, have pursued our education on our own terms. We are the trailblazers, the innovative digital learners, those who are not afraid to take the path less traveled. We have dared to be different. We, Class of 2017, have proven our possession of the invaluable ability to define our own futures. Continue reading
Looking Back On Our Senior Year
By Guest Blogger on June 5th, 2017
This post was written by FLVS Full Time Senior Class President, Mari Nicole Rosales.
Senior Class President Mari Rosales with Marketing Leader Bryanna Maturen
Last Tuesday, May 30, 2017, marked the end of our high school chapter in the book that we call life.
Long gone are the days of DBAs and Blackboard live lessons. Now the time has come for us to begin our next chapter. As virtual school students, we have had quite the journey throughout high school. We are innovators and changemakers of tomorrow. Because of this, the future is limitless. It is now our turn to empower the world one step at a time with our words and actions.
As many of you know, the Florida Virtual School mascot is our lovely friend, Megabyte, the friendly robotic shark. He graces our school t-shirts and reminds us to keep on pace with our courses. Technically speaking, one megabyte is one million bytes of information. Each Florida Virtual School student is a megabyte. Gaining one million bytes of information is no easy task. As megabytes, we have learned how to be proactive, creative, and resourceful. These one million bytes we have gained from virtual school will last a lifetime. Continue reading
FLVS Full Time Honors Graduating Seniors at Commencement
By Guest Blogger on May 30th, 2017
FLVS Full Time, our statewide online public school option for students in grades Kindergarten-12, will host their high school commencement ceremony today at 3 p.m. at the CFE Arena, located on the campus of the University of Central Florida.
FLVS Full Time will graduate more than 750 students, the school’s largest class to date. Approximately 385 students from across the state are expected to attend the commencement ceremony for the traditional march. Family, friends, teachers, and representatives from FLVS Full Time will celebrate the students’ successes, with remarks from FLVS Full Time Senior Class President Mari Rosales and National Honor Society President Olivia Horne.
The FLVS Full Time Class of 2017 has been awarded more than $1.3 million in scholarships, and more than 60 percent of the graduates plan to attend two- or four-year colleges or universities. Notable college acceptances include Brigham Young, University of Central Florida, Columbia, Cornell, University of Florida, Florida State University, University of Miami, Penn State, Stanford, Texas A&M, and Vanderbilt. Continue reading
FLVS Corkboard: May Highlights
By Suzan Kurdak on May 19th, 2017
“Another May new buds and flowers shall bring: Ah! why has happiness no second Spring?” ― Charlotte Smith
We don’t know about you, but we’re getting excited that summer is almost here! We are so incredibly happy that you’ve been a part of the FLVS family—it’s been an awesome year and there’s been much to celebrate.
FLVS Selects New President & CEO
The FLVS Board of Trustees is happy to announce the appointment of Dr. Jodi Marshall, Executive Vice President, Business and School Solutions, as the new President and CEO of FLVS effective July 1, 2017. Dr. Marshall, a visionary leader and innovator who embodies the values of FLVS, will work together with Ronald Blocker to ensure a smooth transition upon his departure June 30.
Dr. Marshall has held many positions leading up to her current role over Business and School Solutions including English instructor, Principal, and Vice President of Instruction, since she joined the FLVS family in 2002. Her experience and her dedication to our students, parents, schools, and districts will allow her to continue to drive FLVS forward. Continue reading
The Close of a Chapter: Plugging into the Virtual Community
By Guest Blogger on May 19th, 2017
This post was written by Olivia, a student in the FLVS Creative Writing Club.
As I near the end of my high school career, I can’t help but think about all of the wonderful memories and lifelong friends that I have made through FLVS.
As a writer, I have been able to thrive in clubs like Creative Writing Club, News in a Click and NEHS. I have participated in Poetry Read-Ins, Shakespeare Festivals and Celebrate Literacy Month. I have also had the invaluable opportunity to collaborate with immensely talented writers and highlight student work through Open Mics. These experiences have greatly enriched my writing and provided inspiration that I will carry with me when I go to college.
In my final [Creative Writing Club] blog post, I wanted to remind you of the power of plugging into our virtual community. By getting involved in FLVS clubs and activities, you are introduced to a world of inspiration. Continue reading