V-School Offers Virtual Library

Florida's virtual school now boasts a virtual library with free interactive resources for students, teachers, parents and school administrators.

The Florida Virtual School (FLVS) Literacy Team released the FLVS Virtual Library, which offers a collection of links and sites that have been reviewed for educational value, currency and accuracy.

Students will find links to educational games, maps, writing centers, study guide sites and college and career advice.

The math games include: Matho - bingo and math combined, Concentration - test your memory as well as practice your math and Planet Blaster - practice your math and defend your planet.

The link to technology educational games will bring students to old favorites their parents and grandparents will remember such as: mad libs, battleship, connect four, break out and other classic games.

Simple problem solving keeps the mind active on the math games, but some of the technology games, like miniature golf and battleship, seem to be designed strictly for fun.

Parents will find links to the National Education Association's resource for parents, Just Read, Florida! And the parents section of the U.S. Department of Education.

The virtual library can be accessed through the Florida Virtual School at: www.flvs.net.

Student Art Contest

Art Builds Florida! Statewide Student Arts Contest sponsored by Citizens for Florida Arts Inc. in collaboration with the Florida Department of State's Division of Cultural Affairs, is open to all Florida high school students in grades nine through 12.

Florida's 67 counties have been grouped into four regions; each region representing one of the focus areas of the plan. Students can submit original, two-dimensional artwork to assist the Division in promoting the four key areas of Florida's strategic plan, Culture Builds Florida's Future.

Highlands County is located in Region Three, which is promoting "Learning and Wellness."

Finalists will be announced on the division's Web site by early February 2009. The four winners and their parent/guardian will be invited to Tallahassee in April 2009 for events recognizing their achievements in the contest.

For more information including the deadline postmark date and all contest rules and submission guidelines, visit the Florida Division of Cultural Affairs Web site at http://www.florida-arts.org/artcontest or call 850-245-6475.