Summer

Summer Reading!

By on June 29th, 2016

Sunshine State Readers 2016I don’t know about you, but I look forward to May 1 each and every year!

Why you ask? Picture this: children standing outside the public library automatic sliding doors in the month of May. Sweat beading down their young faces as they grip in their hands the list of all lists – the Sunshine State Young Reader (SSYRA) book list for the year!

Will my book be on the shelf?

The Sunshine State books are coveted and hoarded by children all over the state of Florida each year. These titles literally fly off the shelves of stores and public libraries. Continue reading


Redefining the Three Rs

By on June 17th, 2016

Relax and RechargeRelax, Refocus, and Recharge

Not long ago, I came across an online article 16 Signs You’re a Little (or a lot) Type A. The title is a bit of a contradiction because you are really not “Type A” but, as the article points out, you might be in that “spectrum of behaviors or traits.”

Now, before we go any further, I encourage you to read the article to find out if you are a little, or a lot, Type A. (In full disclosure, I LIVE 13 out of the 16 signs!)

The good news is that being “this way” can help you stay on task or give you job security, since it’s believed many employers are looking for us! The bad news is that this term was coined by a doctor who studied a connection between a certain type (A) person and heart problems. Yikes! Continue reading


Hurricane Season Preparedness

By on June 8th, 2016

Plan and prepare for hurricane season with these tips courtesy the National Weather Service.

Hurricane Prepareness TipsHurricanes are not just a coastal problem.

Their impacts can be felt hundreds of miles inland, even without it being a major hurricane.

This hurricane season, make sure you have a hurricane evacuation plan. The first thing you need to do is find out if you live in a storm surge hurricane evacuation zone or if you’re in a home that would be unsafe during a hurricane.

If you are, figure out where you’d go and how you’d get there if told to evacuate. You do not need to travel hundreds of miles. Identify someone, perhaps a friend or relative who doesn’t live in an evacuation zone or unsafe home, and coordinate with them to use their home as your evacuation destination. Be sure to account for your pets, as most local shelters do not permit them. Put the plan in writing for you and those you care about. Continue reading


Celebrating Summer — And You!

By on June 1st, 2016

Summer FLVS studentThe end of the year is such an exciting time for our FLVS students!

Our students may continue to focus on educational goals over the summer or they may focus on other areas of growth within their lives.

Knowing your special gifts can add remarkable meaning and success to your life while helping you to become more willing to appreciate the uniqueness of others.

Many students don’t like the very thing about themselves that makes them one of a kind. Continue reading


Teach Me With Minecraft: Contest Winners

By on July 25th, 2014

minecraftThe votes are in!

We are so excited to announce the winners for our “Teach Me With Minecraft” competition. Our goal was to learn more about what can be taught from games like Minecraft and how we can use similar interactive elements in our FLVS courses.

We had hundreds of amazing submissions and have learned so much from your Minecraft builds!

Congratulations to all the winners, and to everyone who submitted a build…YOU ROCK!

Continue reading


Keep Them Learning All Summer Long (3 of 3)

By on July 22nd, 2014

museumEnrichment Activities for Families

This is part three of a three-part FLVS Virtual Voice blog series about enriching activities that will keep students learning all summer long. Part one shared enriching opportunities that can be found at your local public library. Part two focused on Geocaching. This post (part three) is all about art.

This summer, in between the barbeques and fun in the sun, take a moment to soak in the enriching art and cultural activities of your community.

“Art is not what you see, but what you make others see.” – Edgar Degas

Continue reading


Keep Them Learning All Summer Long (2 of 3)

By on July 18th, 2014

geocachingEnrichment Activities for Families

It’s summer! In between the summer camps, pool parties, and lazy summer days, I encourage parents to add one more activity to their summer calendar: enrichment.

In part one of this three-part Virtual Voice blog series, I shared enrichment opportunities that could be found at your local public library.

For part two, I will be sharing another enriching activity that will keep students learning all summer long: geocaching. Continue reading


Keep Them Learning All Summer Long (1 of 3)

By on July 16th, 2014

libraryEnrichment Activities for Families

In this three-part FLVS Virtual Voice blog series, I will share enriching activities to keep students learning all summer long.

As our children enjoy the long days of summer vacation, parents all over the country have been hyperventilating as they fill 10 weeks of play dates, summer camps, pool parties, and weekend family adventures.  It’s enough to make even the most seasoned parent’s eyes glaze over.  As an educator I encourage parents to add one more activity to their summer calendar: enrichment.

Now wait!

Continue reading


It’s Summer! Go on a College Field Trip

By on June 20th, 2014

college field trip coverIf you’re a high school student, you probably have a list of activities to do over the summer: hang out with friends, watch movies, or go to the beach. Here’s another suggestion – go check out a college campus! This can be a lot of fun with no strings attached. Your family and friends will probably be excited for the trip suggestion! Even if the college that may be close to your home is not your #1 choice, walking around the campus can give you a sense of what you are and aren’t looking for in a college.

While checking out a college campus, you can also get a feel for its town or city by scoping out the college’s surrounding areas. Perhaps you like two different colleges, but like the location of one over the other. You may notice you would rather live on campus then off campus or that you like a large city over a small town.  Continue reading