“Virtual Scoop” – May 2013 - St. Johns Virtual School - St. Johns ...

ST. JOHNS COUNTY VIRTUAL SCHOOL NEWSLETTER VOLUME 1 ISSUE 2 -­‐ MAY 2013
The Virtual Scoop
!
SJVS Student Ace-ing His
Way Through Life
• SJVS Coordinator: Twila Powers
By Nick Vasiliades
Jake Ludwick is an “original”…of sorts. Jake has been an SJVS
student since the very first day the school opened in January of
2008. He was a sixth grader back then and today he is finishing
up his 10 th grade courses. He says, “I plan on being a full time
SJVS student until the day I graduate.”
One of the factors that originally influenced Jake toward virtual
schooling was that he is a top-ranked golfer in Florida. Jake was
9 when he first picked up a golf club and since then his golfing
skill has taken him to such places as Hawaii, California, the
Bahamas and all over the southeastern U.S. to compete in
tournaments. Obviously, all of this traveling would normally cause Jake to miss a great deal of
school. But as Jake says, “Virtual school allows me to pursue my golfing opportunities without
ever missing any school because my school travels with me!”
While Jake has enjoyed golfing famous courses played by the pros such as Torrey Pines, TPC
Sawgrass and Kiawah Island, don’t mistake his life as one of country club ease. “I usually start
school every day at 6:30am and work straight through until 11am. Then I grab some lunch and
it’s off to golf practice with a coach at TPC Sawgrass until 6pm. I also go to a gym for strength
training.”
Jake not only has a personal golf life, he also tees it up for Nease High School. In addition to
golf, Jake is a big basketball and soccer fan. His favorite subject is Geometry. As for his
immediate future, Jake is hoping to work at the TPC Tour Academy and getting his driver’s
permit this month. Plans beyond high school include attending college on a golf scholarship
(he’s made an unofficial visit to Stetson University) and he also hopes to be able make a living as
a PGA tour pro.
Achieving that lofty goal will require a lot of hard work both off and on the course. Jake lives by
the motto “Hard work = Success”. Jake adds, “Without hard work, you can’t be successful,
whether it’s golf, swimming, school, or anything else.” With that kind of attitude, it’s a gimme
that Jake Ludwick will score a hole-in-one in whatever he puts his mind to.
The Virtual Scoop
• Faculty Advisor: Nick Vasiliades
Student Editor/Layout: Mary Johns
Upcoming Events:
• Monday, May 27, 2013:
Memorial Day -­‐ Student/
Teacher Holiday
• Wednesday & Thursday,
May 29 -­‐ 30, 2013: Pre-­‐
Registra

The Latest Scoop
SJVS Book Fair/Fundraiser At Barnes & Noble
L to R: Twila Powers (SJVS Coordinator), Nick
Vasiliades(SJVS Teacher) and SJVS student
Mary Johns at the recent book fair.
At left: Kathy Jones with
the SJVS hands out Easter
candy at the book fair. At
right: Kids were all smiles
at the SJVS booth.
SJVS student Kaelyn Solomon with Adyson
Powers at the SJVS booth at Barnes & Noble.
Thanks to all the students, parents and teachers who came out to support the SJVS at the recent book fair at Barnes &
Noble. Although it was a stormy Saturday afternoon, we were able to raise over $175 for our school by handing out coupons
to shoppers who could turn them in at the register. Barnes & Noble would then donate a percentage of the customer’s
purchase to SJVS.
SJVS tables were set-up around the Barnes & Noble located at SR 312, with free goodies like candy, stickers and
pencils. Kids enjoyed arts and crafts and coloring books. SJVS’s own, Twila Powers, was the resident artist that day with her
kids’ tattoo art which included Spider Man, Butterflies and hearts....all washable of course!
St. Johns County School District Receives
Accreditation For 5th Year
The St. Johns County School District recently received a recommendation from the AdvanceED External Review to receive
district accreditation, rating it as a quality school system for the 5th year in a row.
The AdvancED is an international accrediting agency for Kindergarten through 12 grade schools. The five areas evaluated
were: purpose and direction, governance and leadership, teaching and assessing for learning, resource and support systems and
using results for continuous improvement.
For more information on the district’s accreditation go to www.stjohns.k12.fl.us/accreditation on the district’s website.
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Dear Virtual Families,
Coordinator’s Comments
By Twila Powers, SJVS Coordinator
I had the incredible blessing of attending the St. Johns County American Youth Character Awards
(AYCA) Banquet last month. We were able to select two students from our organization who
exhibited outstanding character. Our junior level recipient was Jordan Schrader, an SJVS veteran.
Our senior level recipient was Shannon Rogers, new to SJVS, but outstanding nonetheless. Both
have bright, beautiful spirits for serving others and both are excellent academic role models. Each
student had the opportunity to select a mentor who had made a positive impact on her life. Jordan
selected our very on Mr. V (Vasiliades) and commented on how his presence in her life as her English
instructor for the past four years has helped to mold not only her academics, but the chapters in her life as well. Shannon was
accompanied by Betty Bush, her community service volunteer partner. Shannon expressed her deep appreciation for how despite
the 70 year age difference, she has learned so much from Betty on how being a servant to others can bring the ultimate joy. Both
ladies were outstanding representatives for SJVS and I am so proud of them.
I am also very proud of the rest of our SJVS students. Our FCAT/EOC testing season has been a tremendous success so far. Your
scores will no doubt be a reflection of your positive work ethic. I have seen strong growth and success as the school year marches
towards its end. We have less than a month left, and I know you all will work even harder to make sure you finish strong.
Remember, all coursework, including proctored segment exams, must be completed by June 4 th . My advice is to finish early and
be successful. Courses for next year are being added to schedules. We will have a pre-registration verification session on May 29 th
and 30 th . Plan to attend one of those days to confirm elective choices. Our final SAC meeting is May 20 th at 9:30 a.m. at the
Evelyn Hamblen Center. Please make plans to attend. We always appreciate participation from our SJVS families. Looking
forward to finalizing a phenomenal first year!
SJVS Student Meets Carrie Underwood
Alexis Levea has a knack for getting results. Despite being born with Collagen II gene defect
(which affects her bones and as a result her stature) she is one highly active person. Alexis
has created her own successful YouTube channel which focuses on make-up application. But
the SJVS freshman also has an uncanny ability for rubbing elbows with celebrities.
Her many brushes with fame include NY Yankees future Hall-of-Famer, Derek Jeter and the
rest of the Yankee squad. Additionally, she has met the NY Mets roster, the entire Boston
Red Sox team, has a friend who plays for the Jacksonville Sharks and is good buddies with
the Wolfson family (yes, as in Wolfson Children’s hospital).
Most recently, she dipped backstage at Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena to chat it up
with country/pop superstar Carrie Underwood and her opening act, Hunter Hayes. Alexis
had no idea as she was headed to the show that she would be meeting any celebrities. It was
a surprise arranged by her good friend Grier. “At first, I thought I was being pranked,” she
says, “I was looking around for the TV cameras from the show Punked.”
Alexis was able to spend fifteen minutes with Carrie Underwood before the concert. She
described the country sensation as “shorter than I imagined, soft-spoken, very nice and just
beautiful.” Alexis also discovered that Carrie does all her own make-up for every show.
If you are hoping to meet a celebrity, Alexis Levea just might be your ticket!
SJVS student Alexi Levea with country
music superstar and Grammy winner
Carrie Underwood.
Attention SJVS Students....Reporters Wanted
If you would like to write for our school’s newsletter just contact Mary Johns, student editor, at
virtualscoop@yahoo.com. We would also love to hear any ideas for news and for articles!
St. Johns County Virtual School 1 Christopher Street St. Augustine, FL 32084
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