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Florida Public Charter Schools to Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15

Member Schools of Florida Consortium of Public Charter Schools (FCPCS) Encouraged to Participate 

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (September 5, 2023) – Many of Florida’s public charter schools are expected to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month during the designated period from September 15 to October 15, 2023.  

Member schools of the Florida Consortium of Public Charter Schools (FCPCS) are encouraged to participate in the 2023 celebration, which includes student and educator contests organized by the Florida Department of Education and Volunteer Florida. 

The student art and essay contests are based on the theme, “Celebrating Florida’s Hispanic Heroes and their Contributions to Freedom.” 

The Student Art Contest is open to all kindergarten through third-grade students in Florida, including students at Florida’s charter schools.  According to the Florida Department of Education, each student should submit original, two-dimensional artwork based on the theme.  Four statewide winners will be selected, and each winner will receive a $100 gift card for school supplies and a 1-year pass to Florida state parks. 

The Student Essay Contest is open to all fourth through twelfth-grade students in Florida, including students at Florida’s public charter schools.  The Florida Department of Education press release notes each student should submit one essay no longer than 500 words based on this year’s theme and written in English.  Six winners will be selected from Florida elementary schools, middle schools and high schools.  Each winner will receive a 2-year Florida College Plan scholarship provided by the Florida Prepaid College Foundation and a $100 gift card for school supplies. 

The Hispanic Heritage Month Excellence in Education Award Contest is open to all full-time educators in an elementary, middle or high school in Florida, including charter schools.  According to the Florida Department of Education, four winners will be selected.  Each will receive $2,500 from Volunteer Florida. 

A nomination for the Hispanic Heritage Month Excellence in Education Award may be submitted by a principal, teacher, parent/guardian or student.  The deadline for entries or nominations in all of the contests is 5 p.m. on Monday, September 18, 2023. 

Many of Florida’s public charter schools have participated in Hispanic Heritage Month during previous years, according to FCPCS President Robert Haag.  

“The Florida Consortium of Public Charter Schools encourages our member schools to be part of the 2023 Hispanic Heritage Month celebration, said Haag.  “Hispanic Heritage Month provides a focused timeframe to celebrate Florida’s Hispanic Heroes.” 

Student and Educator contest entry information and nomination forms with guidelines are available at https://floridahispanicheritage.com/

About the Florida Consortium of Public Charter Schools   

The Florida Consortium of Public Charter Schools (FCPCS) is the leading charter school membership association in the state.  Since its inception in 1999, FCPCS has been dedicated to creating a national model of high quality, accredited public charter schools that are student-centered and performance-driven. FCPCS provides a wide array of technical support, mentoring, training, networking, and purchasing services to its membership, as well as serving as an advocate for all Florida public charter schools.

 

Nine Florida Charter High School Graduates Win Prestigious Scholarships

Dr. Carlo Rodriguez Scholarships awarded based on academic accomplishments and financial need.

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (July 27, 2023) – Nine Florida charter high school graduates have been named recipients of the 2023 Dr. Carlo Rodriguez Scholarships by the Florida Consortium of Public Charter Schools (FCPCS).

The Dr. Carlo Rodriguez Scholarships are merit-based financial awards of $1,500 each. They are awarded to college-bound or technical school-bound recent graduates of Florida charter schools.

Scholarship recipients have strong academic records and demonstrate financial need. Scholarship funds may be used towards college expenses, including tuition, textbooks, materials and supplies, and computer equipment.

Dr. Carlo Rodriguez was an education advocate who worked tirelessly to expand quality school choice options for children. He was the head of the charter school office of Miami-Dade Public Schools and was named to head the Florida Department of Education's Office of Independent Education and Parental Choice. He passed away unexpectedly in 2007.

Recipients of the 2023 Dr. Carlo Rodriguez Scholarships are:

--Myralex Anglade of Somerset Academy Central Miramar High in Miramar

--Dominick Augusto of Palm Bay Preparatory Academy in Panama City

--Paige Dunsford of McKeel Academy of Technology in Lakeland

--Seth Gregoire of Dr. Kiran C. Patel High School in Tampa

--Khushi Mathur of Brooks DeBartolo Collegiate High School in Tampa

--Marie Pierre of Doctors Charter School of Miami Shores in Miami Shores

--Shahzodbek Rahmonov of Marco Island Academy in Marco Island

--Mamadou Thiam of Manatee School for the Arts in Palmetto

--Natalia Urbanski of State College of Florida Collegiate School in Bradenton

“The Florida Consortium of Public Charter Schools congratulates this year’s winners of the Dr. Carlo Rodriguez Scholarships and wishes them great success in their college endeavors,” said Robert Haag, President of FCPCS. “Given their significant charter school achievements, we are sure they will excel in college.”

The Florida Consortium of Public Charter Schools acknowledges the meaningful support it receives for the Dr. Carlo Rodriguez Scholarships Program from EGIS Insurance & Risk Advisors of Boca Raton. The company sponsored four of the scholarships and is a preferred partner of the Florida Consortium of Public Charter Schools. Five of the scholarships are sponsored by FCPCS.

About the Florida Consortium of Public Charter Schools

The Florida Consortium of Public Charter Schools (FCPCS) is the leading charter school membership association in the state. Since its inception in 1999, FCPCS has been dedicated to creating a national model of high quality, accredited public charter schools that are student-centered and performance-driven. FCPCS provides a wide array of technical support, mentoring, training, networking, and purchasing services to its membership, as well as serving as an advocate for all Florida public charter schools.

 

Galileo School for Gifted Learning Wins National “Building Hope” Award as an Inspirational Charter School 

Sanford, Fla., School is a Member of Florida Consortium of Public Charter Schools (FCPCS) 

SANFORD, Fla., (June 6, 2023) – Galileo School for Gifted Learning has won a national Building Hope Award as one of 12 “inspirational charter schools” across America.  The Sanford, Fla., school is a member of the Florida Consortium of Public Charter Schools (FCPCS). 

The prestigious award comes with a $20,000 grant, one of the largest given as part of the Building Hope Awards program.  Building Hope is a non-profit foundation dedicated to creating high-quality K-12 charter school opportunities for students through its expertise in real estate, finance and operational services. 

The award winners were selected from more than 260 applications from charter schools in 38 states.  Galileo School for Gifted Learning’s Skyway Campus was named the top school in the category of Student Empowerment.  According to Building Hope, Galileo students engage fully in their education and choose extracurricular activities and advocate for which electives and enrichments they are most interested in pursuing. 

“We care about the voices and choices of our kids,” said Galileo’s Principal & CEO Michelle Nunez.  “We are here to create the opportunity for students to be motivated and challenged and to pursue their passionate interests.” 

Schools in Minneapolis and San Francisco were runners up in the Building Hope Student Empowerment Awards category and received $10,000 grant awards, part of a total of $175,000 in Building Hope grant awards.  Building Hope Awards were also given in the categories of charter school leadership, community engagement and education innovation. 

“The Florida Consortium of Public Charter Schools congratulates Galileo School for Gifted Learning for winning such a prestigious award and for its ongoing efforts to provide high quality charter school education,” said Robert Haag, President of the Florida Consortium of Public Charter Schools.  “Galileo School for Gifted Learning is a shining example of the superb work being done at FCPCS member schools throughout Florida.” 

About the Florida Consortium of Public Charter Schools

The Florida Consortium of Public Charter Schools (FCPCS) is the leading charter school membership association in the state, with a membership of nearly 75 percent of all operating charter schools.  Since its inception in 1999, FCPCS has been dedicated to creating a national model of high quality, accredited public charter schools that are student-centered and performance-driven. FCPCS provides a wide array of technical support, mentoring, training, networking, and purchasing services to its membership, as well as serving as an advocate for all Florida public charter schools.

 

DIVIDED PASCO SCHOOL BOARD APPROVES PATEL CHARTER DEAL

From The Laker/Lutz News
By B.C. Manion - May 23, 2023

The Pasco County School Board voted 3-2 to approve a partnership to advance a plan for a Patel Charter School, expected to open in 2025. READ MORE

 

Gov. DeSantis signs measure expanding sports options for charter school athletes

From Florida Politics
By Jesse Scheckner - May 24, 2023

The legislation was inspired by an issue in Vero Beach. Two lawmakers from the city carried it across the finish line.

By the beginning of the next school year, charter school students in Florida will have more options when deciding where to play.

Gov. Ron DeSantis signed SB 190, which will enable students at charter schools throughout Florida to participate in the athletic programs of willing private schools, regardless of whether a nearby public school has similar offerings. READ MORE

 
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