August, 2024 FCI Connect

Welcome Back: First Day of School Celebrations Across Our Charter Schools

The first day of school is always a special time, filled with anticipation, excitement, and a little bit of nervousness. As students across our charter schools stepped through the doors, they were greeted by smiling faces, warm welcomes, and a community ready to embark on a new academic journey together.

From colorful classrooms decorated with inspiring messages to students proudly wearing their new backpacks, the atmosphere was electric. Teachers and staff members were on hand to ensure a smooth start, offering words of encouragement and guidance to help ease any first-day jitters.

Parents and guardians waved goodbye with a mix of pride and emotion, knowing their children were in good hands. The day was filled with laughter, new friendships, and the promise of growth and learning in the months ahead.

We’ve captured some of these memorable moments from schools across our network. These snapshots reflect the joy, enthusiasm, and community spirit that make our charter schools a wonderful place to learn and grow. Enjoy the collage of photos from this exciting day as we celebrate the start of another successful school year!

As the day unfolds, it is clear that this first day is about more than just returning to the classroom—it’s about living out the mission of our charter schools. Students reconnect with friends and dive into classrooms where teachers deliver innovative, personalized lessons that reflect our commitment to academic excellence and character development. The energy is contagious, uniting students, parents, and educators in a shared dedication to starting the year strong. Together, we’re setting the stage for a successful year, aligned with our mission to empower every student to reach their full potential.

Featured Articles

Adult Learning 201 – Trust & Rapport

As the saying goes, you never get a second chance to make a first impression – and this is certainly true in any school leader’s first moments with their staff following summer vacation. So, how can leaders maximize summer professional learning with their teams to not only build teacher skill but also plant the seeds of trust and rapport? This...

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Governance Conference 2024

The Charter School Governance Conference is designed for Florida charter school leaders and governing board members featuring high-quality breakout sessions on various topics that impact charter school operations and governance. Join us at the beautiful South Tech Academy in Boynton Beach, FL, or attend virtually from anywhere! On-site attendance allows for networking and collaboration with charter school leaders and governing...

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School Leaders Fellowship Cohort 4 Application Period Is Open!

The FCSA's School Leaders Fellowship (SLF) is successfully preparing the next generation of exceptional charter school leaders. In just three years, forty participants have graduated from the program and many are already leading a Florida charter school.Are there educators on your campus with leadership potential? Share this information with them:Fellowship candidates must be educators working at a Florida charter school...

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Additional Resources

Webinars

  • Aug 13
    August 13, 2024 1:00 pm
    Start the Year Strong with Sound Systems for Serving Students with Disabilities

    Join us for an insightful webinar designed for charter school leaders, featuring Lindsey Granger, Senior Consultant for Collaborative Educational Network, and Shannon Treece, Executive Director of Babcock Schools. They will share essential strategies for launching the school year with robust systems and structures that ensure the success of students with disabilities. Topics will include MTSS, effective data collection, and compliance, with Shannon offering practical insights from a school site perspective. Don’t miss this opportunity to equip your team with the tools needed for a strong start.

    View Webinar Info

  • Aug 20
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  • Aug 22
    August 22, 2024 10:00 am
    Aligning our Mathematical Values and Instructional Activities to Start the Year off Right!

    The start of the school year is a critical time for establishing a productive classroom community. As teachers, we need to start the year with instructional activities that align with our mathematical values so that students begin the year with activities that set the tone for the rest of the year. In this session, we will explore how to align our instructional values with our instructional activities in mathematics so students understand and buy in to our vision for an effective learning environment.

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  • Aug 27
    August 27, 2024 1:00 pm
    Innovative HR Legal Strategies for Turbulent Times

    With the proliferation of employee lawsuits showing no signs of slowing down, all charter schools, regardless of size, need to focus on effective, innovative HR strategies to protect themselves in today’s increasingly litigious climate. Please join us on August 27 at 1pm when we will be joined by attorney Peter Siegel, Chief Employment Officer & Labor and Employment Partner at Greenspoon Marder LLP. Peter will be highlighting the latest, most significant developments in employment law and immediate implications for managing our unpredictable HR landscape. Topics will include how to terminate an underperforming employee without getting sued, the importance of having an up-to-date, compliant employee handbook, the dramatic increase in requests for medical leave, confronting workplace political expression when it becomes disruptive, misclassification of employees as independent contractors, recent changes to the federal overtime laws, and being prepared for enhanced governmental oversight of our workplace. Don’t miss this opportunity to gain valuable knowledge and learn from real-life cases to strengthen your HR strategies during these turbulent times.

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  • Aug 29
    August 29, 2024 10:00 am
    Navigating School Technology – Essential Tools and Strategies for a Successful School Year

    Join us for an informative webinar presented by Sam Chawkat, Chief Operations Officer at Dynamic Network Solutions. This session will equip school leaders with practical insights and tools to effectively manage and implement technology in their schools. From optimizing network infrastructure to ensuring data security and supporting digital learning, Sam will share essential strategies to help you smoothly navigate the technological needs of the new school year. Whether you’re looking to enhance your current tech setup or explore new solutions, this webinar offers valuable guidance to ensure your school’s success.

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  • Sep 10
    September 10, 2024 1:00 pm
    2024-25 Salary Increase Allocation Calculator

    The Department of Education recently released the 2024-25 Salary Increase Allocation paperwork due to the state by October 1, 2024. Charter Schools must report their information to their school districts to be included in those reports. The FCI-Support (Formerly known as the Charter Support Unit) has once again developed a calculator to assist charter schools in completing their paperwork. This webinar will show how to use the new calculator and answer questions about what the Salary Increase Allocation requirements mean for your school.

    All of the materials associated with this webinar can be found at: https://flcharterinstitute.org/document/2425sia/.

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  • Sep 12
    September 12, 2024 10:00 am
    Charter School Governance: Starting the School Year with a Strong Foundation

    Join us for an insightful webinar on “Charter School Governance: Starting the School Year with a Strong Foundation” of the School Year Best Practices.” This session will delve into crucial governance strategies for ensuring a smooth and successful start to the academic year. We will explore effective governance meetings, key responsibilities of boards and administrators, and practical tips for fostering collaboration and communication within your school community. Whether you’re a seasoned leader or a new charter school administrator, this webinar promises valuable insights to enhance your leadership and impact.

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  • Sep 17
    September 17, 2024 1:00 pm
    Title IX Injunction Guidance for Charter School Leaders

    Join us for an essential webinar presented by John Leombruno, Shareholder and Attorney at The Arnold Law Firm, LLC. This session will provide critical guidance on navigating Title IX injunctions, specifically tailored for charter school leaders. Attendees will gain valuable insights into legal compliance, the latest regulatory updates, and practical strategies for managing Title IX issues within their schools.

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  • Sep 26
    September 26, 2024 10:00 am
    Navigating School Technology: The Do’s and Don’ts of Opening Your School Successfully

    Join us for an insightful webinar on “Navigating School Technology: The Do’s and Don’ts of Opening Your School Successfully,” where we will delve into the essential strategies for developing a robust IT infrastructure in educational institutions. This presentation covers critical aspects such as establishing a scalable network foundation, choosing between Google Workspace and M365 for different administrative needs, selecting appropriate student and faculty devices, and ensuring top-notch security measures. Additionally, we’ll discuss the importance of organized IT resources, testing and maintaining devices, and effective financial planning to leverage funding opportunities. Don’t miss this webinar to learn how to create a seamless and secure technology environment for your school.

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Upcoming Events

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