Student Edition
Happy Veteran’s Day From a Teacher to our Soldiers
By Guest Blogger on November 7th, 2014
With Veteran’s Day around the corner, I’m ashamed to admit that my thoughts rarely venture far from my desk and home and towards the men and women who at this moment are fighting for our freedom. We have the privilege of living in this great nation and we often take this for granted. As I sit down to write my blog this month, I realized that as a teacher, I not only have the honor of living in our country, but I’m entrusted with passing on the history of our proud nation and preparing the next generation to prosper.
I strongly feel that education is the key to lasting freedom. It is the reason why Malala Yousafzai risked her life to advocate for the rights of education for women. It is even the reason why more than 200 schoolgirls were kidnapped in northern Nigeria by Boko Haram. These acts demonstrate the true power that education holds.
So, this Veteran’s Day and next Memorial Day and all the days in between, take a few extra moments to honor our soldiers. Ensure that their service and sacrifice are not in vain. Uphold the importance of education in your family and community.
Post by Andrea Bracco, 8th Grade Language Arts Instructor
Meet FLVS Student Aubrey Quintanilla
By Guest Blogger on October 20th, 2014
FLVS student Aubrey Quintanilla is more than just your regular student – she’s also a springboard diver and all-star volunteer!
Aubrey started swimming when she was 10 years old after her sister received a flyer about classes. She was already involved in gymnastics when she saw the opportunity to mix the two together – it seemed nothing short of thrilling! At age 11, she started in regionals…and the rest is history!
Aubrey has been involved in a competition just about every two weeks of the year since then. Her practice schedule is just as intense – training five days a week for two hours a day (or four hours a day when she’s not in school).
Interested in a Head Start on a Lucrative Career?
By Guest Blogger on October 17th, 2014
Did you know careers in information technology make up more than 75 percent of the fastest growing occupations IN THE WORLD?!? Having the skills needed to be successful in these careers is a critical piece that FLVS is working to address. With the recent release of 21 new courses leading to some of the most in-demand IT skills and nationally-recognized industry credentials, the time to start preparing is now.
In collaboration with uCertify, FLVS has launched 21 Career and Technical Education (CTE) courses that give students a head start in a variety of IT career pathways, including programming, database administration, networking, cybersecurity, and more! Continue reading
Cave Bro is on the Loose!
By Guest Blogger on October 10th, 2014
If you’ve ever wanted to see what happens when you feed a caveman nothing but cupcakes, now’s your chance.
Florida Virtual School recently released Cave Bro in both the Google Play and iTunes stores. This free game teaches students how to make good nutritional choices in a fun and fast-paced style. Students can also experience Cave Bro in upcoming releases of the FLVS Health and PE courses.
Cave Bro has been frozen for more than 30,000 years, so needless to say he’s hungry and will eat anything. It’s up to players to decide what he eats, how much, and how often. Good choices win. Bad choices create one really cranky caveman.
Congratulations to our Contest Winners
By Florida Virtual School on September 30th, 2014
From the simple to the spectacular, we heard from all kinds of students during our “Go Ahead: Succeed” contest. Using Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook, students submitted photos of themselves and told us how they have succeeded with FLVS.
Thank you to all of our amazing students who entered, from athletes to artists to world travelers to bookworms. We loved hearing your stories. Keep the success going and let us know how FLVS has helped you or your family in the comments below. You can also join the conversation on Instagram by following us at @floridavirtualschool. We might even share your story in a future post!
Narrow Down Your College Search
By Guest Blogger on September 23rd, 2014
Check out these tips from FLVS Student Erica Nathan on choosing a college!
Figure out what you want in a college
Do you want to study political science or engineering? Attend a small school or stay close to home? What type of college can you afford? These are just a few questions that you’ll want to consider when starting to narrow down your college search. Once you know what you’re looking for, you can start your search. The ACT has a great list of the many factors to consider. Continue reading
Go Ahead: Succeed with FLVS Contest
By Florida Virtual School on September 16th, 2014
This year, FLVS is excited to host our fall photo contest allowing students to share their success stories. We know our students are fascinating people who use the flexibility provided by FLVS to do great things – and we want to hear all about it! Using Instagram, Twitter or Facebook, we are asking students to show how FLVS has helped them succeed. You can even win a tablet!
Over the past few weeks, we’ve received all kinds of great submissions that showcase how unique Florida Virtual School students really are. We’ve heard from kids who act, students who travel all over the world, and those who just want to get their education in peace. We have met girls who play football, wrestle, or compete as archers. We have students who volunteer for Special Olympics, pursue creative hobbies and career opportunities, and finish high school early. Check them out here! Continue reading
The Creativity Conundrum
By Dr. Jeanne Giardino on September 10th, 2014
When Did Students Become So Scared to Make Mistakes?
Directions: Please read the following article. At the end of the article you will be asked to give your opinion regarding creativity in schools. You will be expected to provide a response that shows thinking outside the box and is worthy of a Nobel Prize. No pressure. Think Creatively. Continue reading
Applying High School Experience to Career
By Guest Blogger on September 5th, 2014
Many high school students face the daunting task of applying for their very first paid job with zero experience and very little preparation. Here are a few simple tips to help you translate your high school experience (volunteering, participating in clubs, playing sports, etc.) to a job application:
1. Everyday skills should not be taken for granted.
Top performers in school are organized and goal-oriented. Good students use proven time management skills. Club secretaries are detail-oriented. Athletes take initiative and follow directions well. FLVS students are computer whizzes! Instead of listing previous jobs on your resume, you can list clubs, sports, and even your GPA (if you’re proud of it). Just make sure to include a brief description for each item, and explain the valuable job skills you use on a regular basis for each task.
Reading Aloud to Cats
By Dr. Jeanne Giardino on August 27th, 2014
Did you ever read to your stuffed animals as a child? Perhaps your family pet enjoyed having you share a colorful picture book as he lay by your side with the bed lamp illuminating the pages. Reading aloud to pets allows children to practice their reading skills to a non-judgmental audience.
In my house you can hear, “Here kitty, kitty! I want to read a storybook to you!” all day long. You see, my family cares for homeless kittens and cats for an organization in Central Florida called Candy’s Cats. It gives our family, especially our young daughters, the opportunity to volunteer and learn how to give of themselves. My daughters are responsible for the socialization of the felines we care for. The kitties come to us scared and hissing, but the girls know that reading storybooks to them will help the unsure kittens learn to trust them. It works; and other programs around the country have embraced reading to cats reaping benefits for both the reader and the listener. Continue reading