I hope this message finds you well and enjoying the beautiful Florida weather in January! Last week I had the opportunity to attend the Future of Education Technology Conference (FETC) last week. FETC is one of the largest and most comprehensive events for educators and leaders who are passionate about transforming learning with technology. One of the most fascinating topics I explored at FETC was the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on the future of education. AI is the branch of computer science that deals with creating machines and software that can perform tasks that normally require human intelligence, such as understanding language, recognizing images, solving problems, and learning from data. AI has the potential to transform education for students and teachers by providing more personalized learning experiences, improving the quality of teaching, and addressing some of the biggest challenges in education today. Some other potential benefits of AI in education include:

As a VOL educator, I am committed to harnessing the potential of AI to enhance the learning experience and outcomes for your child. I hope this message has given you a glimpse of the exciting technology and opportunities that AI offers for education. I also encourage you to work with your child on the responsible use of AI to enhance their education; whether you realize it or not, it is likely that your child has already tapped into the vast potential of this new tool.

On another note, we are fast approaching the midpoint of the third marking period. As always, I want to remind you of the importance of monitoring your child’s academic progress and attendance. You can access your child’s progress and performance in their classes using your FLVS parent account, or you contact your child’s teachers or counselors directly. 

I also want to inform you of some new safety and security protocols that the school district has implemented for all schools. As part of these protocols, all students are required to have a school-issued student ID card. This ID card will help us verify the identity of our students and ensure that only authorized individuals have access to our school buildings and facilities. The ID card will also be required for all in-person testing this spring, such as the SAT, ACT, and state assessments.

You should have received an email from VOL in the last couple of weeks with instructions on how to obtain your child’s ID card. If you have not received this email, please check your spam folder or contact our office. It is very important that your child gets their ID card as soon as possible, as they will need it to enter the school and take any tests. Please do not delay in completing this process.

Thank you for your continued support and partnership with VOL. As Albert Einstein once said, “The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing.” Let us nurture the curiosity and potential of our children with the help of AI and technology.

Thank you for reading.

Dr. Serianni (with an assist from Microsoft’s everyday AI companion, Copilot)

You may now schedule your sitting for Senior Portraits with Dean Stewart Photography in Daytona Beach. Use the link below.

Orders can be placed on the Herff Jones website (www.herfforlando.com) or you may order in person at their Winter Park office (address below). No appointment is necessary. All items ordered EXCEPT the cap and gown will be shipped to your home. Caps and gowns will be distributed at VOL during the second semester. If you have any questions, please feel free to call Herff Jones at the number below.

https://bit.ly/407hpua - CAP & GOWN PRICING & PACKAGES

https://bit.ly/48SfoWX - GRADUATION CATALOG

https://bit.ly/47PKYnO - CLASS RING CATALOG

Check out the new VOL school store to get all sorts of VOL gear. All items are purchased online and shipped directly to you. All profits go to supporting a myriad of VOL programs for students and teachers! Click here to start shopping now!

* The remote PM2 FAST PM2 testing window for Grades 3-10 ended on January 26th. The Spring FAST window (PM3) will take place in-person only.

* We are currently collecting test location preferences for in-person Spring state testing. We are offering a choice to take in-person Spring state tests either at zoned schools or at our VOL building in Deltona. Parents and guardians were emailed a survey to select Spring state test location preferences for students. If you have not already completed that survey, please use this link to make your spring test location selections for each of your VOL students: https://forms.office.com/r/WChJDjznFc

* Emails with registration forms for the ACT-NCR test were sent to 11th and 12th graders in need of concordant scores for Reading and Math graduation requirements.

* The FSA Reading and Writing Retake and the FSA Algebra 1 Retake test window for eligible cohorts of 11th and 12th graders in need of concordant scores for Reading and Math graduation requirements will be February 19-March 8. This test will take place at zoned schools, and eligible students will be emailed more information soon.

* Parents and guardians of students taking the Access for ELLs and/or Florida Alternative Assessments will be contacted soon about these tests, which will take place in-person at our VOL building in Deltona.

* We send specific testing information to students’ VCS Outlook email and the primary parent/guardian email on file, so it is important to make sure that these emails are checked regularly for state testing updates, especially as we get closer to the Spring in-person testing windows. Participation in state testing is a required condition of enrollment at VOL. If you have any questions or concerns about state testing, please contact our VOL testing coordinator, Dr. Markell, at (386) 734-7190 ext. 72701, or bgmarkel@volusia.k12.fl.us

This past week has been a busy week! Dr. Markell has worked tirelessly to get all of our students tested for PM2 ELA and Math assessments. Our elementary students participated in Celebrate Literacy Week and attended the theater production of Frozen Jr. at Athens Theater. Our VOL Math Counts team continues to prepare for their upcoming competition on Saturday, February 3rd.

We are so proud of our students who were recognized for their participation in the Superintendent’s Winter Reading Challenge:

Speaking of our wonderful students, Valeria Munoz Vega not only won VOL’s Spelling Bee, but she will move on to represent our school at the district spelling bee in February.

We are approximately four weeks into the new semester, please ask your student to show you where they are at in their courses and help develop a plan to remain on pace. Teachers will be assigning Quarter 3 report card grades based on student progress at the end of the school day on Thursday, March 21st. Report card grades will reflect actual student progress or lack thereof for each course listed on their schedule (this includes special area and elective courses).  

Did you know that VOL has our very own virtual store where students and families can purchase school related apparel and products. Feel free to check it out here: VOL Store.

Attention senior parents, Volusia Online Learning has partnered with Herff Jones, our official graduation supplier. Cap and gown orders can be placed online at www.herfforlando.com. Please be sure to place your order no later than March 1st to avoid paying a late fee. All items ordered EXCEPT the cap and gown will be shipped home. Caps and gowns will be distributed through Volusia Online Learning in early May.

Guided Notes help students remain actively engaged during the lecture portions of their online coursework.

Some of the benefits students can gain from the guided notes are:

Currently guided notes in Edgenuity are available for core subjects only. (ELA, math, science, and social studies.

Students can access the guided notes for their courses by following the steps below:

Skyler Shadler is a Volusia Online Learning 4th grade student. His nominating teacher, Ms. Spencer, says “Skyler is so much fun to have in class! He has such a great sense of humor and positive outlook. He and his family love to tell jokes and have fun together. He loves to ride his go-cart and dirt bike, as well as spend time outdoors hunting and fishing.”

Congratulations, Skyler!

Braydon Borriello is a Volusia Online Learning 6th grade student. He was nominated by Mr. Temple, he stated “Braydon is one of my most enthusiastic, consistent attended Live Lesson attendees. He ALWAYS has energetic, insightful comments in our lessons. He is excited about learning and sharing what he knows. His desire to learn is an encouragement to me and a good.” 

Congratulations, Braydon!

Alexa Pustejovsky is a Volusia Online Learning 8th grade student. She was nominated by Mr. Temple, he stated “Alexa consistently does excellent work of high quality in our class. Her writing is insightful and thoughtful in her history responses. But she also contributes hilarious and entertaining comments that show her wit and her knowledge. She also helped compose a story/song in our music club that again shows her talents. She is an asset to our class.”

Read inspirational quotes for our Foxes about bouncing back from errors, focusing on your effort and pushing harder to win.

I just try to learn from every mistake that I make so that I never make them again.

It's fine to celebrate success, but it is more important to heed the lessons of failure.

You can control two things: your work ethic and your attitude about anything.

Motivation will almost always beat mere talent.

I am grateful for what I am and have. My thanksgiving is perpetual.

Copyright Notice

Reproduction of this material, either written or electronically, including the general layout, graphics, analyses, and content topics without the express approval of Target Performance Systems, Inc., a Florida corporation, and Volusia Online Learning is forbidden without written consent. Thank you for your support of the Volusia County Schools and especially Volusia Online Learning. Please contact Dr. Serianni at aaserian@volusia.k12.fl.us with any questions related to the program.

Volusia Online Learning | Dr. Serianni, Principal | 386.506.0014 | VOL Website