Parental Involvement
4 Ways to Engage in Your Kid’s Education
By Elizabeth Jones on November 1st, 2023
As a little girl, I loved field trips. I sought out opportunities to travel and learn about the world around me. From visiting the local science center to seeing historic monuments on family road trips, there was always something new to discover. These moments with my family fostered a life-long love for learning through travel and exploration.
Now as a parent myself, I have the opportunity to foster a love for learning in my child like my parents did with me. We often find ourselves exploring beaches, aquariums, and petting zoos where my son learns all about Florida’s wildlife. Not only are these moments we’ll cherish for a lifetime, but that will also help him build real-life connections to the world.
Continue readingAnnouncing the Florida Virtual School #MyVirtualSchoolSquad Contest Winners
By Elizabeth Jones on October 25th, 2023
When it comes to online learning, there’s a lot to consider. From the school option you choose to the courses your child takes. You may also be considering, “Will my child still have the opportunity to socialize and build relationships with peers?”
Continue readingHow to Oversee Your Child’s Online Learning
By Guest Blogger on April 27th, 2020
Many parents have been sailing uncharted waters as they shift to online learning. As an online educator with elementary children who have taken a few online courses, I have been at the helm of online education in more ways than one. As parents finish out the school year, we are here to support their experience.
Here are a few tips to support your child’s online learning. You’re on your way to smooth sailing!
Continue readingMake, Bake, Partake – Volunteering at School
By Guest Blogger 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
Homeschooling: The Big Question
By Guest Blogger on December 26th, 2016
Choosing to homeschool was not something I initially chose.
Sometimes, I think it chose me. At the age of 2, my son was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. Although the illness is very serious, I truly thought that schooling at the local public school near our home was going to be just fine. After all, I successfully attended public school growing up, so I really didn’t think it would be that different.
Sadly, I was shocked to discover just how much things had changed since I was a child. Within the first two weeks of Kindergarten starting at the local brick-and-mortar school, I found myself having to withdraw my child from public school and enroll him into Florida Virtual School. The bottom line was that the brick-and-mortar school could not truly handle my son’s diabetes, and homeschooling appeared to be the solution.
The idea of homeschooling my son seemed to be rather intimidating, scary, and far-fetched. Continue reading
Service Learning
By Dr. Jeanne Giardino on June 24th, 2015
“Volunteers are not paid—not because they are worthless, but because they are priceless.”
Do you volunteer or did you when you were young?
Do you remember who Candy Stripers were? They were hospital volunteers. Working as a Candy Striper was my first experience volunteering and it taught me real-world experiences that helped shape my future.
I volunteered each Sunday from 12 – 4 p.m. at Pembroke Pines Hospital in South Florida. There were many rules and the expectations for the teen volunteers were high, dauntingly so. We received intensive training that resembled that of a NASA Astronaut. Continue reading
Increase your Student’s Success in School
By Guest Blogger on November 28th, 2014
Take a free course designed to help your student!
Just in time for Florida Parental Involvement in Education Month, Florida Virtual School is proud to announce a free course created just for parents! Secrets to Student Success Revealed is free on Udemy.com.
We have taken research proven strategies from experienced educators and crafted a free course for parents and educators to learn these strategies in a quick and easy format. If you’d love to know how to motivate your child, talk to your child, advocate for your child, and even learn how your child’s brain works as well as steps you can take to improve his/her sleep, nutrition, and exercise, then Secrets to Student Success Revealed is for you. Continue reading