Organization

Parents: Help Your Kids Finish the Year Strong

By Florida Virtual School on December 8th, 2020

As students finish their first semester of the 2020-21 school year, many are continuing their academic journey with Florida Virtual School (FLVS). Whether your family is new or returning to FLVS, we want to ensure that your students have a successful second semester. Here are three ways parents can help students finish the school year strong!

Start Your Middle School Experience Off Right

By Melodie Robelo on August 28th, 2018

For students in middle school who have never taken an online course before, understanding expectations and how to navigate new material and assignments can take some time. Whether your child is taking their first course or their fifth, here are a few tips to help him or her succeed at FLVS. Continue reading

12 Months of Life Skills for Student Success

By Guest Blogger on January 13th, 2017

As we start a new year, educators and parents all have a common goal for 2017 – to ensure that our children have the skills and knowledge they need to be successful for college and a future career.

What if we each set a goal to teach our students one skill a month?

If all of our students put this plan into action today, can you imagine the impact we could make on our future generation?

Today’s workplace values creativity, collaboration, critical thinking, and communication skills. Managing time, setting goals, handling stress, and a variety of other skills can help students succeed in all of these areas.

Ready to get started? Check out the guide below and set reminders on your phone or calendar to help you stay on track. Continue reading

Optimizing Your Memory

By Guest Blogger on March 4th, 2016

First published by Genius Awakening

Practice makes perfect when it comes to just about anything, including your memory.

Developing techniques to hone your recall of everything from names and phone numbers to more complex processes can make a world of difference.

Here are some tips to help optimize your memory.

Put these into practice just a little bit each day to up your brain power. Continue reading

A Virtual Teacher’s New Year’s Resolutions

By Elise Harris on December 29th, 2014

As we prepare to welcome a new year, let’s be mindful of our successes and our moments to grow.

Will you be hitting the reset button?

Educators, will you be adding to your classroom and personal routines? Parents, will you be seeking new ways to be involved in your child’s education? Students, are you setting goals or hoping to improve your study habits?

Here is my list of New Year’s resolutions as a virtual instructor: Continue reading

Unplug and Chill

By Elise Harris on October 8th, 2014

Have you unplugged today? I mean really unplugged and walked away?

It is no secret that chronic stress will make you physically ill. As teachers, we are natural givers and put other’s needs in front of our own. We must remember to take time for ourselves. All of the work will be there when we get back. And when we return after our “me-time,” we will be equipped to engage our students with sheer awesomeness!

If you’re looking for some respite, make a schedule for yourself and force a “me-time” break. It will help to find a friend or colleague to keep you honest. (I know it can be hard to walk away sometimes.) You can do it!

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.

Back-to-School Basics for Parents and Students

By Guest Blogger on August 12th, 2014

Every student and parent (well most of them anyway) gets excited for the start of a new school year. Students are ready to meet their new teachers, new classmates, show off their new clothes, and start the year off on the right foot.

Parents are excited too, but for different reasons. Usually they are just thrilled to get the kids out of the house, as the summer months can seem way too long for some parents.

The following is a list of tips to help students have a successful year – and that might even remind parents of some important strategies they should be utilizing. Continue reading

Make the Choice to Move Forward

By Amy LaGrasta on April 24th, 2014

Stop and think about your life’s journey so far.

Some of us are just getting started on school, many are at the beginning of our careers, and others are nearing retirement. The reality for all of us is that every choice we make and action we take has gotten each of us to where we are today. You, and you alone, are responsible for your happiness or unhappiness, success or failure.

Fate and luck are of no consequence. Accepting personal responsibility is the first step to success. It is the only requirement needed to achieve goals. If you say things like, “it’s not my fault” or “life is unfair,” then you have not yet accepted responsibility for your actions.

It is not too late or too hard to change.

National School Counseling Week

By Guest Blogger on February 5th, 2013

Yesterday marked the first day of National School Counseling week (February 4–8, 2013). In anticipation of this weeklong event, I’ve been considering the question, “What makes student counseling services unique and valuable?” School Counselors endeavor to make an impact on student lives and act as change agents to affect positive outcomes. The unique service provided by Professional School Counselors is to critically examine a problem while focusing attention toward providing the most relevant options for families. The advice offered is valuable in that it leads all parties toward resolution.

Various students have contacted me over the years for assistance with academic advising, planning for college, dealing with peer pressure, or working through emotional concerns. One particular student comes to mind. Continue reading