Florida Public Charter Schools to Celebrate Black History Month During February

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

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (February 1, 2023) – Many of Florida’s public charter schools are expected to celebrate Black History Month during February, 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 the Achievements of African American Floridians.”

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 will submit original, two-dimensional artwork based on the theme. Four statewide winners will be selected, and each winner will receive a $100 art supplies gift card 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 charter schools. The Florida Department of Education press release notes each student will submit one essay no longer than 500 words based on this year’s theme. 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 Black History 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.

Nominations may be submitted by a principal, teacher, parent/guardian or student. The deadline for entries in all of the contests is 5 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 7.

Many of Florida’s public charter schools have participated in Black History 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 Black History Month celebration, said Haag. “Black History Month provides a focused timeframe to celebrate the many accomplishments African Americans have achieved in Florida.

Student and Educator contest entries and nomination forms and guidelines are available at http://floridablackhistory.com, with a link at the left side of the web page.

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,FCPCShas been dedicated to creating a national model of high quality, accredited public charter schools that are student-centered and performance-driven.FCPCSprovides 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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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.