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Florida Public Charter Schools to Participate in “Celebrate Literacy Week, Florida! 2023” from Jan. 23 to Jan. 27 

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

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (January 5, 2023) – Many of Florida’s public charter schools are expected to take part in “Celebrate Literacy Week, Florida! 2023,” slated for January 23 through January 27, 2023. 

Member schools of the Florida Consortium of Public Charter Schools (FCPCS) are encouraged to participate in the 2023 celebration, which is the fifteenth annual statewide program dedicated to literacy-related events.  It is a program of the Florida Department of Education (FDOE) and Just Read, Florida!, the Department’s statewide reading initiative. 

The theme of this year’s Celebrate Literacy Week, Florida! program is “Take a Deep Dive Into Literacy – Splash Into New Worlds!”  FDOE encourages all Florida schools to participate in reading a variety of books to support the New Worlds Reading Initiative program, which provides high-quality, free books on a monthly basis to help instill a love of reading among K-5 students who read below grade level. 

Many of Florida’s public charter schools have participated in “Celebrate Literacy Week, Florida!” 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 celebration, said Haag.  “Celebrate Literacy Week, Florida! provides a focused timeframe to increase reading among students at public charter schools in our state,” said Haag.  

More information is available by visiting the Celebrate Literacy Week, Florida! website.    

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. 

 

Florida Consortium of Public Charter Schools (FCPCS) Congratulates its Member School, Beulah Academy of Science 

Escambia County charter school is one of 114 Florida schools named Purple Star Schools in recognition of their support for the children of military families. 

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (January 4, 2023) – The Florida Consortium of Public Charter Schools congratulates its member school, Beulah Academy of Science, named a Purple Star School in Florida for its support for the children of military families. 

The Escambia County charter school is one of 114 Florida schools named Purple Star Schools by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and the Florida Department of Education.  Beulah Academy of Science is one of two Florida public charter schools named Purple Star Schools. 

According to a press release from the Governor’s Office and the Florida Department of Education, Purple Star Schools must meet certain requirements to support the unique needs of military children and their families.  The requirements are: 

  • Designating a faculty member as the military liaison to directly support families
  • Updating the school website with resources for military students and families
  • Offering a student-led transition program to assist military students in acclimating to a school
  • Expanding staff professional development training opportunities on issues relating to military students
  • Reserving controlled, open enrollment seats for military-connected students to ensure school choice opportunities are available to them, regardless of the time of year their military transfer takes place 

Florida Education Commissioner Manny Diaz, Jr. applauded the Purple Star Schools, “for another leap forward in ensuring military families and students receive the support they need to be successful.” 

Located in Pensacola, Beulah Academy of Science provides a quality, community-based education to children in grades 6 to 8.  

“The Florida Consortium of Public Charter Schools is proud to congratulate Beulah Academy of Science for its recognition as a Purple Star School,” said Robert Haag, President of FCPCS.  “We salute their hard work in support of military children and their families.” 

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. 

 

Florida Public Charter Schools to Celebrate National School Choice Week, Jan. 22 to Jan. 28, 2023 

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

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (January 3, 2023) – Many of Florida’s public charter schools will be among the more than 20,000 schools expected to participate in this year’s National School Choice Week, slated for January 22 through January 28, 2023. 

Founded in 2011, National School Choice Week promotes all forms of school choice, including public charter schools, private schools, district schools, magnet schools and home schools.  According to the organization’s website, “National School Choice Week recognizes all K-12 options.  It is the world’s largest annual celebration of opportunity in education.” 

Each year, more than 20,000 schools participate in the celebration of National School Choice Week, which also touts participation by more than 50,000 school leaders, teachers, organizations, homeschooling groups and parents.  Interested potential participants can obtain more information and sign up at https://schoolchoiceweek.com/faq/

Many of Florida’s public charter schools have participated in National School Choice Week in recent years, according to FCPCS President Robert Haag.  

“The Florida Consortium of Public Charter Schools encourages our member schools to be part of the 2023 National School Choice Week celebration,” said Haag.  “National School Choice Week helps to boost the visibility of public charter schools in Florida and to increase awareness and understanding of the role of public charter schools in Florida education.” 

For more information about National School Choice Week, please visit the website www.schoolchoiceweek.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, 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.    

 

Keys charter school gets $500,000 grant after pandemic hits mental health, STEM classes

WLRN 91.3 FM | By Gwen Filosa
December 8, 2022

At one of the Keys' most sought-after schools, like at many others, the pandemic led to a drastic increase in mental health referrals for students.

But it also was followed by a marked decline in students choosing STEM — science, technology, engineering and math — classes. Teachers at Sigsbee Charter School believe the issues are linked — and now they will have access to a half-million dollar grant to tackle the problem.                      READ MORE

 

Local School District Millage Elections on the Ballot in Ten Florida Counties; Sales Tax Initiatives on the Ballot in Three More Counties

Florida Consortium of Public Charter Schools (FCPCS) Notes Funds Levied as a Result of Voter-Approved Referendums are Shared Proportionately with Charter Schools

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., (Oct. 24, 2022) – Voters in ten Florida Counties will decide on school district local millage proposals as part of their General Election ballots on Tuesday, Nov. 8.    The counties are Brevard, Franklin, Lake, Marion, Miami-Dade, Nassau, Palm Beach, Putnam, St. Lucie and Union.

In addition, three Florida school districts are linked to sales tax initiatives on the ballot in their counties.  They are Columbia, Hendry and Osceola.

Funds levied by voter-approved school district millage proposals and sales tax initiatives are shared proportionately with charter schools, based on each charter school’s proportionate share of the district’s total unweighted full-time student enrollment. 

The Florida Legislature passed HB7123 in 2019 to clarify that the term “school operational purposes” includes charter schools sponsored by a school district.  The bill was signed into law by Governor DeSantis.  The FCPCS Advocacy Team played an important rule in passage of the clarifying bill.

Local school district millage proposals were approved by voters in seven Florida counties during the August Florida Primary Election.  The counties are Broward, Duval, Martin, Monroe, Orange, Pasco and Walton.  A school district millage proposal in Hillsborough County failed by a slim margin.

“The Florida Consortium of Public Charter Schools applauds leaders of all 21 Florida counties for their efforts to increase education funding in order to improve educational outcomes,” said FCPCS President Robert Haag.

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.

 

 
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