Everyone, please help me - sign this petition to help keep a Florida school open!

[Sarah Ibarruri]

The Florida Virtual School is an online school K-12 which is wonderful. They offer anything and everything a child's parent could want that child to learn (if they're sane), such as all maths, sciences, art, languages (even Chinese!), and much more.

Now Repukes come along and want to shut the school down and are starting by doing away with many of the offered classes and diminishing when classes are offered.

PLEASE sign this petition. It's going to the FL legislature tomorrow. Help me and us keep another school in Florida OPEN!

Thanks so much, pass this on to others, and PLEASE K & R ME!

:toast:

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/petition/424106660

(IF YOU SIGN THIS, AFTER SIGNING, YOU STILL HAVE TO CLICK A BUTTON THAT READS, "SIGN" - IN OTHER WORDS, YOU HAVE TO DO TWO DIFFERENT AND SEPARATE FUNCTIONS TO REGISTER THE SIGNATURE. THANKS!)

[ret5hd]

1. I have mixed feelings.

What are the attitudes of the schools officers towards funding public schools?

[Sarah Ibarruri]

2. What t ype of feelings? nt

[ret5hd]

4. The feelings that keep me from supporting organizations that are anti-public education...

and anti-teachers union.

on edit: not saying this group is such an organization. Just asking questions.

[Sarah Ibarruri]

8. It's not a competition against regular schools -

parents work and schools are required not just for education but also because children cannot stay alone at home.

Also, FLSV is taught by teachers, certified teachers, not just some Bible-banging right wing GOP whackos.

[noamnety]

7. You don't need to have mixed feelings about them.

They are a public school, they support funding public schools.

They also serve a very valuable gap in education - allowing kids who are a danger to others to continue public education instead of being expelled and abandoned - or those who are interpreted under zero tolerance as being a threat and kicked out for having a butter knife. It also helps kids who are too sick to attend a traditional school. We've had one of those, a student who because of some treatment had no immunity whatsoever and wasn't allowed by her doctor to attend class. We also had a good kid kicked out under state law for having a pocket knife - even though he never threatened anyone with it, it was a gift from his dad and he wanted to show it to someone, but another kid saw and reported it. They also allow schools to provide a wider range of options. In a small school that can't afford to set up an advanced calculus class for one student, for instance, they can do that class online. It also allows kids to make up credits for classes they failed if they can't fit all their required credits into their schedule, so they can still graduate.

My daughter was a full time resident student at public schools, but still took Latin and calculus through a virtual school in addition to her full load at regular school.

Alternatives like this are a godsend, and really do prevent good kids from falling through the cracks.

[Sarah Ibarruri]

9. Thank you and AMEN TO THAT! nt

[Sarah Ibarruri]

10. One more thing - there are children that are ill and cannot attend school

Disabled children, for ex., cannot. They can never. What are they to do? Go without education?

[noamnety]

14. Also students who are bullied without mercy.

We've seen some of them in the news recently, driven to suicide because their only option is to walk into the building and get bullied day after day.

I've also lost a few students to serious anxiety disorders - they aren't being bullied, but they can't deal with school. One of mine recently transferred out of my school to an online school, and while I miss her, it honestly was the best thing for her. She was missing so much school from stress that she wasn't getting a real education from us, much as we wanted to provide it.

[Sarah Ibarruri]

25. Exactly. nt

[Divine Discontent]

3. done. for you. eom

[Sarah Ibarruri]

5. Thanks my friend! Pass it on. nt

[Kaleko]

6. Done.

[Sarah Ibarruri]

11. Tx!!! nt

[doctor jazz]

12. Who is trying to shut it down and why? I can't find links to explain it

I did find one article praising it
http://www.tampabay.com/news/education/k12/article445689.ece

(I am interested from afar because I have relatives in the Tampa area...)

[Sarah Ibarruri]

15. Here you go!

http://www2.tbo.com/content/2009/apr/02/florida-virtual-school-strives-stem-budget-cuts/news-breaking/

Please pass the petition around. Remember that you have to enter the info. twice, once normally and then you have to scroll down to where it says, "SIGN" and click there also.

[doctor jazz]

19. Okay, I doubt the efficacy of online petitions but I'll do it.

It seems odd to me the leg can't grasp that it's actually more cost-effective than normal schooling! :shrug:

[csziggy]

16. It is likely one of the programs that is being cut by the Legislature

That does not want to accept all of the stimulus plan, even though Crist does want to.

Florida Virtual School supporters concerned over spending cuts
By TaMaryn Waters • Democrat Staff Reporter • April 19, 2009

Millions of dollars in cuts, along with policy changes, are sparking concern among supporters of the Florida Virtual School, especially if one of two bills passes during the legislative session.
Advertisement

But legislators, some of whom consider the school to be a viable contributor to modern education, say the cuts are necessary in redirecting money to Florida school districts since other forms of revenue are drying up.

The current bill proposal in the Senate would cut $ 8.4 million, and the House version of the bill would cut $18.9 million, said Jodie Pozo-Olano, spokeswoman for Florida Virtual School.

Julie Young, CEO and president of the Virtual School, said either one of these bills would drastically change the way the virtual school offered courses and hired teachers. She said the bills would cause an increase in the student-to-teacher ratio.

“It’s not a trivial change. The concern that I have is that it will hurt kids,” Young said.

More: http://www.tallahassee.com/article/20090419/BREAKINGNEWS/90419015

[csziggy]

13. I know someone who is using this for his home schooling

Smart kid, public school was too slow for him so he stays home and takes his classes this way. This semester, he was so far ahead that he is only taking three classes. Next fall, he will be starting college classes - at 16.

[Sarah Ibarruri]

17. I'd rather have public school teachers doing this than some mothers that know very little

(NO OFFENSE TO ANYONE!!!) lol

[csziggy]

22. Yes - and from what I see, the Florida Virtual School has a standard curriculum

So the students will have a well round - and non-sectarian - education.

[Sarah Ibarruri]

18. Please people pretty please, K&R this. Thanks! nt

[noamnety]

20. okay. :)

I signed, but I don't know if they'll care since I'm not in Florida.

[Sarah Ibarruri]

21. Of course they will - the last thing they want is bad publicity

Also, the FLVS has students from other states and other countries, only these have to PAY for it. FL students get it for free as they do any public school.

Thanks much! Pass it on!

[elleng]

23. Done,

with comment

[cal04]

24. petition signed

please let us know how it turns out