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Three Member Schools of the Florida Consortium of Public Charter Schools (FCPCS) Named Semi-Finalists for 2025 National Building Hope IMPACT Awards; A Volunteer from a Fourth FCPCS Member School Named a Finalist for Another Prestigious Award
The Four Schools are Located in Marco Island, Sarasota, Boynton Beach, and Winter Springs, Fla.
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., (January 28, 2025) – Three member schools of the Florida Consortium of Public Charter Schools (FCPCS) have been named semi-finalists for the 2025 national Building Hope IMPACT Awards. A volunteer from a fourth FCPCS member school has been named a finalist for another prestigious award.
Marco Island Charter Middle School of Marco Island, Fla., and Suncoast School for Innovative Studies of Sarasota, Fla., are two of the 10 semi-finalists for the Community Engagement Award, one of four categories of Building Hope IMPACT Awards. SouthTech Schools of Boynton Beach, Fla., is one of the 10 semi-finalists for the prestigious S. Joseph Bruno Model Charter Award.
Three final winners will be announced in each category and $160,000 in grants will be awarded at the Fourth Annual Building Hope IMPACT Summit Awards Gala on May 7, 2025 at the InterContinental Miami Hotel. Building Hope will present $40,000 in grants for each category, awarding one $20,000 grant to the top winner in each category and two $10,000 grants to the runners-up.
Forty Building Hope IMPACT Awards semi-finalists were selected from nearly 200 applications from charter schools located in 41 states and the District of Columbia. Two other categories for 2025 Building Hope Awards include Student Empowerment Awards and Education Innovation Awards.
Hema Rodriguez of Choices in Learning Elementary Charter School also Named an Award Finalist
In addition to the semi-finalists named for the Building Hope IMPACT Awards, Hema Rodriguez of Choices in Learning Elementary Charter School in Winter Springs, Fla., has been named one of five finalists for the prestigious Shellie Ann Braswell Shine Brighter Award. According to Building Hope, the award recognizes a charter school volunteer who creates cherished memories and makes a meaningful impact on their school community. The winner will receive a $5,000 grant to further their impactful work within their school community.
“The Florida Consortium of Public Charter Schools congratulates Marco Island Charter Middle School, Suncoast School for Innovative Studies and SouthTech Schools for their focused efforts to provide high quality charter school education,” said Robert Haag, President of the Florida Consortium of Public Charter Schools. “We also want to extend special congratulations to Hema Rodriguez of Choices in Learning Elementary Charter School. She exemplifies the amazing volunteers found at all of our FCPCS member schools throughout Florida.”
In 2024, HIVE Preparatory School of Hialeah, Fla., and River City Science Academy of Jacksonville, Fla., won awards and grants as part of the prestigious Building Hope awards program. Both schools are members of FCPCS.
Now in its fourth year, the Building Hope IMPACT Awards Program recognizes schools for their profound impact on the communities, families and students they serve. According to Building Hope, each application was evaluated by judges based on measurable impact, innovative educational approaches and the strength of their engagement with students and their communities.
The program has awarded $440,000 to 33 charter schools and $40,000 to eight school volunteer leaders. For more information about the Building Hope IMPACT Awards or to register for the 2025 IMPACT Summit in Miami, visit https://impactawards.buildinghope.org/.
Building Hope is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to increasing educational opportunities for K-12 students through its expertise in real estate, finance and operational services. During its 21-year history, Building Hope has supported over $1 billion in the development of school facilities.
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. |
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Florida Public Charter Schools to Celebrate Black History Month During February 2025
Member Schools of Florida Consortium of Public Charter Schools (FCPCS) Encouraged to Participate
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (January 22, 2025) – Many of Florida’s public charter schools are expected to celebrate Black History Month during February, 2025.
Member schools of the Florida Consortium of Public Charter Schools (FCPCS) are encouraged to participate in the 2025 celebration, which includes Student and Educator Contests organized by the Florida Department of Education and Volunteer Florida.
This year, student art and essay contests are based on the theme, “Honoring African American Contributions to Florida’s Success.”
The Black History Month 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 Black History Month 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 Governor Ron DeSantis and First Lady Casey DeSantis’ 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 and will receive $2,500 from Volunteer Florida.
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. Monday, Feb. 3.
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 2025 Black History Month celebration,” said Haag. “FCPCS strongly supports the Florida Department of Education’s program, “Honoring African American Contributions to Florida’s Success.”
Student and Educator contest entries and nomination forms and guidelines are available at http://floridablackhistory.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.
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Florida Public Charter Schools to Celebrate National School Choice Week, Jan. 26 to Feb. 1, 2025
Member Schools of Florida Consortium of Public Charter Schools (FCPCS) Encouraged to Participate
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (January 7, 2025) – Many of Florida’s public charter schools will be among the tens of thousands of families, students, schools and organizations to participate in this year’s National School Choice Week, slated for January 26 through February 1, 2025.
Celebrating its fifteenth anniversary in 2025, 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, with many schools hosting fairs and other community events. Interested potential participants can obtain more information and sign up at https://schoolchoiceweek.com/faq/.
A large number 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 National School Choice Week in 2025,” said Haag. “National School Choice Week increases awareness of public charter schools in Florida and boosts understanding of the role of public charter schools in Florida education.”
For more information about National School Choice Week, visit 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. 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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Florida Public Charter Schools to Participate in “Celebrate Literacy Week, Florida!” from Jan. 27-31, 2025
Member Schools of Florida Consortium of Public Charter Schools (FCPCS) Encouraged to Participate
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (January 7, 2025) – Many of Florida’s public charter schools are expected to take part in “Celebrate Literacy Week, Florida!” slated for January 27-31, 2025.
Member schools of the Florida Consortium of Public Charter Schools (FCPCS) are encouraged to participate in the 2025 celebration, which is the seventeenth annual statewide program dedicated to literacy-related events. It is a program of the Florida Department of Education (FDOE) and Just Read, Florida!, the FDOE’s statewide reading initiative.
The theme of this year’s Celebrate Literacy Week, Florida! program is “Building Literacy: Constructing the Foundation for Success.” FDOE encourages all Florida schools to participate in reading books related to workforce education, including books about architecture, construction and engineering, in an effort to connect with the Get There Workforce Education Initiative of Gov. Ron DeSantis.
FDOE is also encouraging Florida school districts to coordinate with charter schools they sponsor to encourage their participation in Celebrate Literacy Week, Florida!
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 2025 celebration,” said Haag. “Celebrate Literacy Week, Florida! is an excellent program to increase reading among students at Florida’s public charter schools,” 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. 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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Florida Consortium of Public Charter Schools (FCPCS) Celebrates 25 Years of Sharing and Service for Florida’s Charter Schools
Since the late 1990s, Florida’s leading organization dedicated to public charter schools in Florida has propelled the movement from a few schools serving several dozen students to a 2024 total of 739 schools serving 396,522 students.
Sherard Parker, Director of Member Services for the Florida Consortium of Public Charter Schools (FCPCS), welcomes all attendees in celebration of the 25th Anniversary of FCPCS at the 2024 Florida Charter School Conference + School Choice Summit.
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (December 5, 2024) – The Florida Consortium of Public Charter Schools (FCPCS) marked its 25th Anniversary by continuing to build meaningful connections with representatives of its member schools at the recent 2024 Florida Charter School Conference + School Choice Summit.
Held at the Caribe Royale Orlando, the Conference brought together hundreds of charter school educators for training and networking opportunities. FCPCS members participated in general sessions and breakout programs, plus they toured a packed exhibit hall, where FCPCS was represented at its 25th Anniversary booth by Director of Member Services Sherard Parker, among others.
It was a fitting focus on building relationships for networking and training at the Conference for FCPCS member school representatives. The organization was founded 25 years ago based on the idea of sharing information among Florida’s charter schools to help increase their success, according to Robert Haag, FCPCS President.
“We realized if we were going to have a strong movement, we had to have strong relationships,” said Haag. “We built those relationships with leaders and members of the Florida Legislature, with representatives of the school districts, and with other charter school innovators. If one of us had an issue, we would pick up the phone and call each other.”
Since then, Florida’s charter school movement has mushroomed to reach 739 schools serving 396,522 students in 48 of Florida’s 67 counties. And FCPCS, which began in the late 1990s as a loose affiliation of several South Florida charter schools, has paved the way for Florida charter schools as the leading charter school membership organization in the state.
Since its founding, FCPCS has been a driving force in charter school innovation, with early private financial support through the Walton Family Foundation and the South Florida Annenberg Challenge. It created the FCPCS Quality Standards for Florida Public Charter Schools and published the first FCPCS Florida Charter Schools Fact Sheet.
In 2008, FCPCS established the Dr. Carlo Rodriguez Scholarships for graduates of Florida charter high schools. In 2012, the Charter School Champions Award program was launched, presenting 178 awards over more than a decade. Both are active programs to this day.
FCPCS created Evaluation Systems for Charter School Administrators and Instructional Personnel in 2013. It added a Governance Board Training Program in 2014, as well as the Florida Principal & Teacher Academy.
In 2015, FCPCS launched Teachers for Charter Schools. The Teach in Florida website was created in 2023 to support the demand for more charter school teachers in the state.
FCPCS innovations continue in 2024, with the establishment of the FCPCS Clinical Teaching and Field Experience Program.
“Florida’s public charter schools offer incredible opportunities for their students,” said Haag. “That’s an important reason why the number of students attending Florida public charter schools continues to increase.”
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. |
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