By: Florida Virtual School

With the new school year just around the corner, we asked a few of our current Florida Virtual School (FLVS) parents, “What advice do you have for families new to FLVS?”

We hope their tips help your family start the fall semester with confidence and ease. 

1. Take it one day at a time

Learning online is as simple as logging into the FLVS system. But just like any other school, the first few weeks will be a learning process. You’ll want to learn how to navigate the courses, where to find important information and more. The great news is that we have a series of videos to help you learn the basics!

Current FLVS parents emphasize the importance of patience during this transition period: 

• “Be patient with your child...they will get the swing of it and get a system that works best for them.”
• “Be patient the first few weeks because it does take time to get used to.”
• “First, give you and your child grace while you try to find what works. You’ll both feel overwhelmed at first, but you’ll find a groove.”

2. Stay organized

Within your FLVS student dashboard, you’ll find everything you need to know about your courses in one place. Each course will have an announcement page that includes items like course resources, pace charts, study guides, information on live lessons, and more. These resources are there to help you and your child stay organized and on track for the school year. 

• “Stay organized and on task—follow the ‘what’s due’ weekly so that you’re not behind.”
• “Prep for the week. I usually lay out the next week on Fridays, so the weekend can still be used to decompress. Then, we’re ready to jump back into schoolwork on Monday morning.”

3. Use FLVS resources

We have resources and tools to help you and your child succeed. Check out our student and parent resources page to find everything you need to know. We’re here to help you with easy access to more information on counseling, testing, student activities, and more. Additionally, check out your student dashboard for additional resources, including any your teachers may offer for specific courses. 

 Here’s how our current families make the most of what’s available:

• “Use the guides and extra notes provided.”
• “Print all the guided notes prior to starting the course module and put them into subject folders.”

4. Develop a routine

Establishing a routine can make a big difference in your child’s online learning experience. Whether your child prefers to do their schoolwork and live lessons in the morning or waits until after their extracurricular activities, it’s important to determine what works best for your family. 

The flexibility of online learning is unmatched, but it comes with added student responsibility and self-motivation which is why it’s important to “establish a routine and stick to it.”

5. Communicate with your teachers

Our passionate and supportive FLVS teachers share a common purpose: to put students first. They are specifically trained to teach in the online environment, providing one-on-one support to your child. They’re only a phone call, text, or email away if you have questions or need help.

• “Communication with FLVS teachers is key. They are on the other end of the computer all day, there to help.”
• “Communicate with teachers especially if you are confused about a course topic, assignment, or if you want to make sure your child is on pace.”
• “Communication with teachers is key, especially if they start to fall behind on assignments.”

6. Plan for a four-day school work

With FLVS, you have the flexibility to customize your child’s education. Many parents opt for a four-day school week, leaving Fridays or a day of your choice, open for catching up on schoolwork if needed.

• “Try and keep Fridays free for playing catch up.”

New to Florida Virtual School? Join the official FLVS Parents Facebook group for more helpful tips and advice from our community of more than 15,000 FLVS parents.