View as Webpage here if having trouble seeing all images.

Volusia Online Learning Community Brief

Monday, January 27, 2025

As we continue to brave the unusually cold weather, it's hard to believe we are nearly halfway through the 3rd marking period. I hope this message finds you and your families warm and well.  

It’s indeed a busy time here at VOL. We are excited to be onboarding 50+ new students this semester, and we are always looking for more potential VOL students. The VCS School Choice Fair, which will be held this Monday at The Center in Deltona, provides a great opportunity to spread the word. If you know of any families looking for a virtual learning option on the west side of the district, please encourage them to visit the VOL table for more information. Additionally, our monthly STEAM event is on Tuesday this week. We are looking forward to the creativity and innovation that our students will bring to this event.

Next week is National School Counseling Week. I encourage everyone to take a moment to express their gratitude to our wonderful counselors, Ms. Hamlin, Ms. Wilson, and Ms. Little, for their dedication and hard work in supporting our students.

We are also thrilled to announce that one of our amazing students, Sophia Hazelbaker, was chosen as the Volusia County School Youth Volunteer of the Year. She was recognized last week by our superintendent, Dr. Balgobin, along with School Board member Ruben Colon, and School Board Chair Jamie Haynes (pictured just below). We could not be more proud of, or more impressed by Sophia. You can read more about her remarkable efforts in her nomination letter below.

That’s all I have for this week. Thank you for reading, and for your continued support and involvement in our school community.

Dr. Serianni

Sophia Hazelbaker exemplifies the qualities of a dedicated and compassionate volunteer, leaving a significant impact on both Volusia Online Learning and her broader community. A highly active participant in school activities and events, Sophia's enthusiasm and leadership elevate the experiences of her peers and faculty alike. Whether assisting with school events, organizing community drives, or representing the student body on the School Advisory Committee (SAC), Sophia consistently goes above and beyond to make a difference. 

Her role as National Honor Society (NHS) president for two years highlights her exceptional leadership and organizational skills. Under her guidance, NHS has spearheaded initiatives that benefit not only the school but also the community. Sophia's efforts to assist the homeless and others in need reflect her deep sense of social responsibility and commitment to service. From organizing food and clothing drives to volunteering her time with students, she demonstrates empathy and a selfless desire to help others. 

What distinguishes Sophia is her ability to balance multiple roles with grace and excellence. Her work ethic and reliability have made her an invaluable member of the Volusia Online Learning community. Whether through her leadership, volunteerism, or advocacy, Sophia embodies the qualities of a role model and continues to inspire those around her.

Sophia Hazelbaker's contributions span across academic, extracurricular, and community platforms, reflecting her dedication to creating a positive impact. As a 12th-grade student with a high GPA, she demonstrates academic excellence while balancing significant responsibilities. Her involvement as NHS president for two years and service on the School Advisory Committee showcases her commitment to fostering school improvement and student engagement.

In addition to her leadership roles, Sophia actively volunteers in her community to assist the homeless and marginalized populations. Averaging 6 hours of volunteer service weekly, her efforts have directly benefited dozens of individuals and families. By organizing resource drives and providing hands-on support, Sophia helps meet critical needs, inspiring others to take action. Sophia's participation in Volusia Online Learning's events and activities enhances the school's sense of community, particularly within the virtual learning environment. Her involvement in the On-the-Job Training (OJT) course, combined with her employment, highlights her remarkable time management and work ethic. These attributes have made her an integral part of both her school and her community, driving positive outcomes in school climate and student involvement. 

Through her service, leadership, and academic dedication, Sophia Hazelbaker represents the epitome of an outstanding volunteer, positively impacting both her peers and the larger community.

January 28th – STEAM event 

January 29th – SAC Meeting 

January 31st – Elementary Battle of the Books (Virtual Meeting)

February 4th – Lego & Robotics Club

February 6th – Elementary Lego Club

February 12th – WIN Labs at VOL Headquarters

February 18th – Lego & Robotics Club

February 19th – NHS/NJHS Meeting

January STEAM Event (Jan. 28):

Elementary LEGO Club (Feb. 6):

VOL Online Store:

Clothes Bin:

-------------------------------

Senior Interest Survey - https://forms.office.com/r/uegvvAXrcz

-------------------------------

VOL Graduation Calendar: 

• VOL Senior Awards Ceremony – Tuesday, May 27th @ 7:00 PM

• VOL Graduation Rehearsal – Thursday, May 29th @ 12:30 PM

• VOL Graduation Ceremony – Friday, May 30th @12:30 PM

Upcoming Testing Windows: 

· Access for ELLs-WIDA: January 27-March 7

· PERT (For Dual Enrollment Candidates): February 18-21

· Classic Learning Test (CLT): February 20

· Florida Alternative Assessment (FAA): 

• February 24-April 4 (Elementary and Middle)
• March 10- April 18 (High School)

· ACT-NCR: March 11-13

Looking ahead to Spring FAST and EOCs:  

For the Spring state testing window in April and May, all state tests must be taken in-person for grades 3-12. We are offering our full-time VOL families a choice to test with VOL teachers at our VOL building in Debary, or at their zoned school. We are collecting test location preferences to guide test planning and registration. Parents and guardians should complete the short survey below for each full-time VOL student in grades 3-12 to indicate whether they will be testing at VOL or their zoned school this spring.  

Spring 2025 State Test Location Survey Link: https://forms.office.com/r/38WdApPvsX  

As a reminder, participation in state testing is a mandatory condition of full-time enrollment at VOL. Please reach out to Dr. Markell by emailing bgmarkel@volusia.k12.fl.us or by calling (386) 734-7190 ext. 72701 if you have any questions about state testing.    

For the month of February, we want to recognize three wonderful students at Volusia Online!

Elementary School:

Our Volusia Online Learning Elementary Student of the Month is Aislyn Armstrong. She is in the first grade and was nominated by her teacher, Ms. Kochis. In her nomination, Ms. Kochis said, “Aislyn shows up on time and is ready to learn every day. She is a role model for her peers in all ways. She actively listens, participates in class and always tries her best. Aislyn wears a ready smile and comes to class prepared. She demonstrates kindness by waiting for her turn and being a team player. Aislyn is a super star first grade student and is very deserving of being recognized for all of her outstanding attributes.”

What a wonderful nomination! Congratulations, Aislyn!

Middle School:

Our Volusia Online Learning Middle School Student of the Month is Braydon Borriello. Braydon is in the 7th grade and was nominated by his science teacher, Ms. Girard. For his nomination, Ms. Girard wrote, “Braydon has been a joy to have as a science student these past two years! He is conscientious in completing his assessments and in staying up to or ahead of pace. He always does an excellent job on his assignments, so I look forward to grading them, too! Braydon has also been a wonderful addition to our live lessons, as he is always willing to freely participate in our discussions and in answering questions thoughtfully. Beyond that, he has even stepped up to help me as a teaching assistant when I was not feeling well and was losing my voice. Braydon is one of my science online superstars!” 

What a wonderful nomination for Braydon! Congratulations!

High School: 

Our Volusia Online Learning High School Student of the Month is Wyatt Whitson. Wyatt is in the 10th grade and was nominated by his guidance counselor, Ms. Sexton. For his nomination, Ms. Sexton wrote, “Wyatt is always kind and polite and completes his work on time. Wyatt meets with me weekly, always participates and is pro-active in scheduling help appointments when needed! Wyatt is a joy to work with.”  

What a wonderful nomination from Ms. Sexton! Congratulations to Wyatt!  

Mr. Outlaw graduated from Methodist College, now Methodist University, with a Bachelor of Science in Sociology and a minor in Psychology. He currently is an ESE Teacher at VOL, and is also certified in Social Science, Exceptional Student Education, Physical Education, and Middle Grades Integrated Curriculum. 

In my free time, I love spending time with my daughter. We often explore the outdoors together, whether enjoying a day at the beach or tending to our garden. We also enjoy watching college football together.

Fun Fact: One of my favorite ways to unwind is by cooking big weekend breakfasts for my family.

Inspirational Quote: As a history enthusiast, I have a deep appreciation for quotes. With so many impactful ones, picking just one favorite is hard. Different quotes resonate at various times in our lives, but here are a few that speak to me today: "How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world." — Anne Frank; "I attribute my success to this: I never gave or took any excuse." — Florence Nightingale; "There is no substitute for hard work." — Thomas Edison; "You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose." — Dr. Seuss