May 11, 2020 — This week we kick off National Charter Schools Week 2020 – May 10-16 – an annual celebration of charter schools and the movement. This year, we are highlighting charter schools that are going above and beyond in their communities in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. Florida charter schools have not only met the academic needs of their students through distance learning, but have also worked tirelessly to meet other needs that their students and their families have — from distributing meals to wellness surveys, and ensuring students have digital devices and connectivity. That’s something to celebrate.
Singer/songwriter Neil Young said that the “60s was one of the first times the power of music was used by a generation to bind them together.” 2020 marks the year that the power of virtual tools was used by teachers to bind them to the students they serve. Going beyond online classes, teachers and administrators have been able to reimagine education and find ways to continue to engage and inspire students. Below are just a few examples of charter school teachers, administrators, staff, and students that have gone #AboveandBeyond.
Palms West Charter School students opened their hearts and drafted letters to residents of the Seaview Nursing Home recently. The students wanted to encourage, inspire, and provide a moment of solace to residents who may be feeling very lonely right now. Click here to read this heartwarming story. This Charter Schools USA school n Loxahatchee earned an 2020 Above and Beyond Award from the National Alliance for Public Charter School — Palms West is among the 10 unsung heroes of these times that have truly taken gone the extra mile to serve their communities.
PE teacher Junior DeVeaus (Coach D) at Orange County Preparatory Academy goes #AboveandBeyond with his entertaining 
and lively PE routines. Click here to watch. According to the CDC, regular physical activity improves mental health and can reduce the risk of depression, cognitive decline, and improve overall feelings of wellbeing. Coach D could have assigned jumping jacks and push-ups but instead, he encouraged exercised through dance and they followed. A win-win for all.
Throughout the pandemic, Jefferson Somerset’s cafeteria crew and transportation team, along with principal Cory Oliver, have continued to provide students with breakfast and lunch every day — Monday through Friday. This feat is not surprising for a school that’s transformed K12 education in Jefferson County and brought a community together. More here.
Other Somerset Academy campuses — including Somerset Academy Prep North Lauderdale, Somerset Wilton Manors, and Somerset Central Miramar (video below) — have also been feeding students in partnership with the A.C.E. Foundation. That organization reached out to local businesses, including Versailles Restaurant (Miami), McDonald’s, Little Cesars, and the Kiwanis Club of Little Havana, for assistance. “Everyone we have reached out has been willing to support this effort to feed students,” explained Danny Diaz, Executive Director, A.C.E. Foundation. “We will continue bringing the private sector and charter schools together to help as many kids as we can.”
“I’m so proud of our teachers, and also very pleased with our students who have caught on quickly to this new technology this 
week,” Viera Charter School principal Dr. Julie Cady said. The school’s educational technology manager, Saxon Boucher, remains at school addressing any technology obstacle teachers or parents might have and distributing laptops so that all students will have a station of their own for the duration of time they must learn from home during the COVID-19 pandemic. Many parents echoed Logan’s comments. More here.
“During this difficult time, I have encouraged my teachers to stay on course by being consistent, student-based, open-minded, and most importantly to be compassionate. I rolled the dice when I decided not to let up and mirror virtual learning as close to the school as possible while making sure we were being equitable and as flexible as possible. My team has been nothing short of greatness and my parents are appreciative of that. We have 100% enrollment and over 91% attendance. I tasked my team with coming up with projects that would be one of a kind and memorable for our students,” Dr. Guillermo Gonzalez, Principal at BridgePrep Academy InterAmerican East explaining StoryJumper.