Highlands Virtual School Open Enrollment
• Full-time online public school
• Same 180-day calendar as local schools
• Flexibility, safety, and support
• Florida state-certified teachers
• Grades K to 12
• Graduate with a HS diploma
• Participate in clubs and activities
http://hvs.highlands.k12.fl.us/openenrollment
*New students only - current students do not need to complete this form.*
We are especially proud to recognize our own outstanding team members, Rita Graham and Brandy Simmons. Although Brandy couldn't attend the ceremony, we're so excited to celebrate her accomplishments as well.
HVS is so grateful for the positive impact you make on our students and school community.⭐👏
Fill in the Blank FRIDAY!
Writers, it’s your time to shine! 🌟
In honor of National Novel Writing Month, tell us below: I like to write about _______.
Teacher Feature Thursday!
💫📖Who better to feature during Novel Writing Month than one of our high school English teachers, Mrs. Hendry!
Mrs. Hendry inspires her students to bring their stories to life through strong writing and creative expression. She believes that every student has a voice worth sharing and encourages them to challenge themselves with every paragraph they write. She also sponsors 📖Book Clubs for both High School and Middle School HVS students, expanding their horizons with reading.
Her classroom sets high expectations — not just for grammar and structure, but for imagination, participation, and effort. Whether her students are writing essays, interpreting excerpts, or building their vocabulary, Mrs. Hendry motivates them to work hard to improve their skills.
Thank you, Mrs. Hendry, for helping our students find the ✏️write✏️ words and the confidence to share them! 💫📖
That’s right - this month is all about creativity, imagination, and finally starting that rough draft!
Virtual students, here are 5 quick tips to help you write your masterpiece from home:
1️⃣ Write a little every day - Even 200 words a day adds up fast
2️⃣ Create a no-distraction zone - Turn off notifications and treat your writing time like class time
3️⃣ Use your breaks to write - Write a paragraph during lunch or after finishing assignments
4️⃣ Keep notes for new ideas - Jot down ideas whenever inspiration strikes
5️⃣ Find a writing buddy for motivation - Share progress with a friend or classmate
Big stories start with small steps. Start yours today! 💻✏️
It's the perfect time to open a new doc, type “Chapter 1,” and then… stare at the blinking cursor for inspiration. 😅
At HVS, we encourage students to take time to pursue their passions, including taking time for big projects like writing a novel!
Who’s brave enough to start writing a story this month?
Get started, set goals, and rise to the challenge!✏️
Our staff rocked Pajama and Costume day to celebrate making drug-free choices!
Our staff went all out for Crazy Hair Day to celebrate Red Ribbon Week!
One of the many hats 🧢 HVS teachers wear is working with our county Academy students. Mrs. Bozeman brought a fun, meaningful lesson to her Biology class. Students used Oreos 🍪and sprinkles 🎊 to create models of cell division 🥜, reinforcing the topic in a creative way.
Thanks, Mrs. Bozeman, for making learning fun!
Be sure to be in your live lessons this week as well as any other boot camp or bubble group your teachers are asking you to attend. Please be sure to have all week 12 work completed by Friday. We are over half way through the semester so be sure that you are on track with all your grades at a 70% or higher.
Have a great week!
Red Ribbon Week
Life is a Puzzle, Solve it Drug Free!
October 27-31
Monday: Piece Together Your Future - Dress for Success
Tuesday: Team Up to Solve the Puzzle - Twin or Team Day
Wednesday: Be a Bright Piece in the Puzzle - Wear Bright or Neon Colors and Sunglasses
Thursday: Crazy About Staying Drug Free - Crazy Hair Day!
Friday: Drugs Are Scary - Stay Cozy and Drug Free! - Wear Your Halloween Costume or PJs!
Our word of the week is impeccable, and Mrs. Saenz is the perfect example of what that means!
She shows impeccable dedication to her students every single day — from teaching Social Sciences to leading our Student Government Association and AVID program. Mrs. Saenz models consistency and commitment, encouraging her students to show up, stay engaged, and take ownership of their learning.
HVS is a model AVID school due to the dedication of Mrs. Saenz, who led HVS in hosting the first “AVID Virtual Showcase” in 2024. AVID classes create an environment where students have a collaborative atmosphere, encouraging each other to succeed, and building empathetic relationships.
Thank you, Mrs. Saenz, for being an impeccable example of leadership, organization, and student success at Highlands Virtual! 💙
Word of the Week Wednesday: Impeccable
Our word of the week is impeccable — meaning flawless or perfect in behavior, performance, or appearance.
What’s one area of school where you’d like to be impeccable this week?
🎯 Your attitude? Attendance? Time management?
Anyone who knows Mrs. Whiteside knows she has a big heart and is always there for her students. She goes above and beyond every single day, working hard to make sure her students feel supported!
We are so grateful to have her as part of our team!
We may have missed National Custodian Day yesterday, but we still want to take a moment to celebrate and thank our incredible custodial staff - Tara, Marib, and Debbie! Their hard work and dedication keep our school clean, safe, and welcoming every day!
My WIN for the week is ___________.
We are excited to spotlight Rita Graham, one of our dedicated teachers at HVS. With experience teaching Reading, Business, and PE, Mrs. Graham brings a wide range of skills and creativity into the classroom.
In addition to teaching, Mrs. Graham also sponsors our FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America) chapter, where students gain valuable leadership skills, explore entrepreneurship, and prepare for industry certification.
Known for being encouraging, friendly, and student-focused, Mrs. Graham makes learning engaging and meaningful across every subject.
We are grateful for the positive energy and dedication Mrs. Graham brings to our school every day! 💙
What's Up Wednesday!
For a recent assignment, Mrs. Graham’s virtual PE students explored health and fitness topics by creating these original informational posters. Even though they’re learning online, our students still get projects that let them research, create, and showcase their knowledge in creative ways!
