Homeschool Edition
Celebrating My Hispanic Heritage
By Florida Virtual School on October 2nd, 2015
In our Spanish for Spanish Speakers course, an assignment asks students to compare their lives in the United States with that of a fictional character in the lesson.
This character writes an entry in her diary describing her struggles to fit in with two different cultures, dealing with attitudes towards her language and towards her, and even learning to speak “Spanglish.”
I especially like part of her entry where she talks about another Spanish-speaking lady she meets at her kid’s school who owns a store in town where she can meet for a cafecito* and some very-needed Spanish conversation.
Teaching this lesson, I suddenly realized that I struggle with the very same things! Continue reading
What Successful People Know
By Guest Blogger on September 28th, 2015
No one likes to fail.
No one likes the feeling of failure, that lead rock deep inside your gut weighing you down. And for a long time, I was afraid of failure. This was because I didn’t understand what successful people know.
What successful people know is that failure doesn’t have to be the worst thing. It doesn’t have to ruin us or break us. In fact, the incredibly beautiful fact about failure is that it is as much a part of success as hard work, as talent, as passion, and drive. Failure is actually a huge piece of the success puzzle. It’s just that most people never recognize it. The sooner we realize that failure is just one part of the road to success, the sooner we can learn from our failures, get back on track, and grow. This is what it means to have a Growth Mindset. Continue reading
Congrats to our 2015 Photo Contest Winners
By Florida Virtual School on September 26th, 2015
This year, we saw all kinds of inspiring and amazing student stories in our fall photo contest.
Over the last two months, students have been sharing images on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook showing how they have succeeded with the help of Florida Virtual School. In the photo caption, students were asked to explain how FLVS has allowed them to do great things using the hashtag #SuccessAtFLVS.
Three winners were chosen – one at random, one by popular vote, and one selected by FLVS judges. We received images from hospitalized and homebound students, students entering the ROTC, community service volunteers, musicians, artists, athletes, and aspiring entrepreneurs – all of which made us wish we could have chosen more of you!
Continue reading
FLVS Annual Virtual Science Fair Now Open
By Guest Blogger on September 24th, 2015
Are you a Florida Virtual School student with a knack for science?
Then you should consider entering the 10th Annual Virtual Science Fair (VSF) at Florida Virtual School! The Virtual Science Fair offers students a chance to participate in student-led experiments. Top placing students will advance to the Dr. Nelson Ying Orange County Science Exposition, along with the potential to earn various awards, prizes, and scholarships.
Last year, FLVS student Jillian Hanley advanced to the State Science & Engineering Fair of Florida, earning an $84,000 scholarship along with a number of other cash awards!
Official entry forms are due by October 12, 2015. Continue reading
Student Articles from News in a Click
By Guest Blogger on September 23rd, 2015
Have you visited the new and improved website for the Florida Virtual School student newspaper, News in a Click, lately?
If not, you’re missing out! News In A Click (NIAC) is an award-winning online student newspaper, created and published completely online by FLVS students. By collaborating weekly in Blackboard, the club’s virtual newsroom, the News in a Click staff is able to brainstorm article ideas, write, edit, and create content.
NIAC and its staff members have won several state and national awards from the Florida Scholastic Press Association and Quill and Scroll for writing, photography, and design. Check out a few recent articles from the paper below! Continue reading
Saving the Arts: Why Virtual Options are the Savior of Fine Arts
By Guest Blogger on September 21st, 2015
Since the recession, difficult decisions and increasing budget cuts have left few school districts unscathed, with program cuts occurring across the board. Perhaps unsurprisingly, arts education has suffered the most under budget cuts, particularly in high-need communities, according to a recent Department of Education report.
Despite the fact that they are most frequently on the chopping block, arts programs are far from expendable. The power of performing arts is undeniable. There’s no question about the benefits of fine arts programs, and even in the face of budget cuts, students should be encouraged to continue their passions by joining local art classes, programs or events. These programs help students develop social skills and express themselves in a positive and emotional manner.
Got Notes?
By Florida Virtual School on September 17th, 2015
Picture this:
You are in front of your screen, you have logged into your live lesson, and your instructor is about to start.
He or she reminds you to “take notes!” You find yourself unprepared, so you either open a Word document (which by the end of the lesson remains basically blank) or you hastily gather a pen and a paper napkin left in your room from last night’s pizza. At the end of the lesson, you barely have a few notes and the main idea of today’s lesson eludes you like the ghost of Christmas past…
Sigh…sound familiar? Continue reading
National Hispanic Heritage Month
By Caroline Lyles on September 15th, 2015
National Hispanic Heritage Month, which is observed from September 15 through October 15, was first created by President Lyndon Johnson as National Hispanic Heritage Week. President Reagan later expanded the week to a full month in 1988.
September 15 was selected as the date to celebrate the anniversary of five Latin American countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Nicaragua, and Honduras.
Are you taking Spanish with FLVS?
Here are a few fun facts:
- More than 400 million people worldwide speak Spanish.
- Spanish is the official language of 22 countries.
- St. Augustine, our nation’s oldest city, is known for its Spanish architecture and is celebrating its 450th year anniversary this month (founded in 1565)
Meet FLVS Student Zac
By Guest Blogger on September 11th, 2015
Meet Florida Virtual School student Zac Pullam.
Zac has been with FLVS since the summer of 2014. He is a homeschool student, although he takes a pretty full load of classes with FLVS.
In January of 2013, Zachary and I (his mom) headed out to Hollywood for him to pursue his dream of becoming an actor – a decision his dad and I made together. We had the support of our community and his teachers, as well as his principal.
We withdrew him from his current elementary school in Tallahassee and began to homeschool him while in CA. We were there through June, then returned home to Florida for a few weeks. Continue reading
Suicide Prevention Week
By Guest Blogger on September 8th, 2015
The International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) estimates that there are about 800,000 suicides worldwide each year.
That number is probably higher considering that shame and harsh judgment can often accompany news of a suicide, making it easier for family and loved ones to shroud a suicide in other ways. This devastating statistic makes one thing very clear – we need to start talking about it in order to stop it.
September 7-13 marks National Suicide Prevention Week and it is the week surrounding World Suicide Prevention Day on September 10. You may be wondering what you can do. Continue reading