Blog Post

OCPS Families Connect! Find Support From Other Families Just Like Yours!

Jul 20, 2020

Get plugged in with other families in your chosen Back to School Model for the 2020-2021 School Year!

In these unprecedented times, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed or alone in your decision for your family. No matter which model you choose, there are bound to be times where you have questions and want to know what other families are doing through the school year. This is the time to get plugged in with families just like yours who have chosen the model you'll be using this year.

We are a community, first and foremost!

There are tons of ways to stay connected to your current school or explore relationships with an option that might be new to you and your student.

Social media is a great way to get help as you learn to navigate the new school year, build relationships with other families and stay connected while social distancing is in place. Connect with other families who have also chosen your preferred model or who have chosen FLVS with a Facebook Group dedicated to each school model!

LaunchED@Home Horizon West Parents

This group is designed for parents in the Horizon West area who are choosing the innovative LaunchEd@Home for their students.

OCVS Horizon West Parents

This group is for parents of OCVS students in the Horizon West area to connect & find support during enrollment and the school year.

FLVS Horizon West Parents

This group is to help Horizon West area FLVS parents connect and get support.

>>REOPENING ORANGE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS<<

Below you'll find an overview of the three instructional models offered by Orange County Public Schools.

Orange County Public Schools is dedicated to overcoming obstacles in order to ensure every family has access to their child’s education in a way that best meets the needs of their family. After several workshops and county meetings in June and July, the county has approved 3 models for the 2020-2021 school year, each with a host of benefits for our community’s children.

The options are: Face-to-Face (required by the state), Orange County Virtual (a franchise of Florida Virtual which has been available for several years), or OCPS LaunchED@Home (an innovative option that requires state approval).

**To maximize safety efforts, OCPS strongly encourages selecting the Innovative OCPS LaunchEd@Home model, if you are able to keep your child at home.Here are the nuts and bolts of all 3 options and the breakdown of who they are designed to be best suited for.**

Option 1: Face to Face Model

The OCPS Face-to-Face Model is designed for families who feel comfortable with students returning to a face-to-face, in-school environment. It provides the opportunity for students to return to campus and interact directly – but safely – with their teachers and classmates.

Best for Families Who:

• Feel comfortable sending their student(s) back to school

• Have students who can attend school physically during traditional hours

Best for Students Who:

• Were less successful with distance learning in the spring

• Need face-to-face, physical interaction with teachers and students

• Are more comfortable with face-to-face reinforcement and support

Learn More About Option 1 Face-to-Face Model

Option 2: Orange County Virtual School

The Virtual Model through Orange County Virtual School offers learning anytime and anywhere. It is a flexible and customized learning model that supports students’ unique, individual needs, while satisfying state requirements for completion. This model follows the traditional school year calendar but offers the flexibility to complete work anytime of the day.

Best for Families Who:

• Need a flexible schedule

• Can commit to virtual learning for at least one semester

• Can ensure students log on at designated times

Best for Students Who:

• Are highly motivated

• Successfully participate on video calls with family and friends now

• Successfully participated in distance learning in the spring

• Work well independently at home

• Are comfortable using a computer and keyboard

• Enjoy interacting online

Learn More about Option 2 Orange County Virtual School

Option 3: Innovative OCPS LaunchED

The Innovative OCPS LaunchED@Home Model provides the opportunity for students to continue to learn at home while remaining registered at their enrolled school. This model is designed for families who don’t feel comfortable sending their children back to school but ultimately plan to rejoin their enrolled school in the future.

Based on the number of parents who choose this option, students will be placed in classes where all students are learning from home or a portion of the class is learning from home. In both environments, students will follow the standard school schedule and bell times.

Best for Families Who:

• Would like to maintain their connection to their enrolled school

• Are not ready to send their child(ren) back to school for the first semester

• Are available during traditional school hours

• Can ensure students log on at designated times

Best for Students Who:

• Successfully participate in video calls with family and friends now

• Successfully participated in distance learning in the spring

• Work well independently at home

• Are comfortable using a computer and keyboard

• Enjoy interacting online

Learn More about Option 3 Innovative OCPS LaunchED