January 2026

On behalf of the Board and Home Office, we hope this PD Smore finds you healthy, refreshed, and reenergized after a well-deserved holiday break. As we step into 2026 together, we want to extend our sincere gratitude to our teachers, administrators, and staff for your dedication, resilience, and commitment to our students and the mission of Plato Academy. The impact of your work is evident every day in the lives you shape and the community you strengthen.

As we welcome January, we are reminded of a cherished Greek tradition—the breaking of the pomegranate to bless the new year. In Greek culture, the pomegranate symbolizes abundance, renewal, and good fortune. As its seeds scatter, they represent hope, growth, and the many opportunities ahead. This tradition aligns beautifully with our mission at Plato Academy: to cultivate academic excellence, character, and a lifelong love of learning rooted in classical values. Just as each seed holds promise, every student we serve carries unique potential waiting to be nurtured through high expectations, strong relationships, and meaningful instruction. As we begin this new year, may we recommit to planting the seeds of knowledge, integrity, perseverance, and curiosity—ensuring that our classrooms remain places where students grow not only academically, but also as confident, thoughtful, and responsible global citizens.

Returning from the break, we also reach an important milestone in our academic journey: the midpoint of the school year. In coaching terms, we are stepping into halftime. The first half has provided valuable insights—what is working well, where adjustments are needed, and which students may benefit from additional support, encouragement, or a refined strategy. Halftime is not about looking back with regret, but about recalibrating, refocusing, and moving forward with purpose and determination.

Now is the moment to sharpen our game plan. This includes setting clear goals, reinforcing expectations, and implementing intentional, targeted strategies to ensure progress for every student. Like great coaches, we must continue to motivate, challenge, and inspire our students—reminding them of their potential and empowering them to give their very best effort in the second half of the year. Every lesson, every conversation, and every moment of encouragement has the power to make a lasting difference.

As we enter the second semester, maintaining a strong academic focus across all grade levels and content, remains essential. Supporting students in making meaningful progress and preparing them for the next level is a top priority at Plato Academy. Our educators will continue to work diligently to build the skills, confidence, and mindset students need to succeed.

We remain deeply committed to partnering with our educators, staff, and families to positively influence the trajectory of our students’ lives. We also take pride in being a positive presence within our community as we celebrate the outstanding work happening across our campuses. Let us move into the second half energized, united, and focused. This is where momentum grows, progress accelerates, and success is achieved.

Thank you for your passion, leadership, and believing in our students. Here’s to a blessed and successful new year—let’s make this second half our strongest yet!

With Appreciation

Dawn

Aγαπητοί Έλληνες Eκπαιδευτικοί,

Καλή Χρονιά! Ελπίζουμε οι γιορτές να σας γέμισαν ξεκούραση, δύναμη και έμπνευση. Θέλουμε να σας ευχαριστήσουμε από καρδιάς για την αγάπη και το μεράκι με το οποίο υπηρετείτε τη ελληνική γλώσσα, τον πολιτισμό και τους μαθητές μας κάθε μέρα.

Μπαίνοντας στο δεύτερο μισό της σχολικής χρονιάς, μας δίνεται η ευκαιρία να επαναπροσδιορίσουμε τους στόχους μας και να συνεχίσουμε με δύναμη, ενέργεια και αισιοδοξία. Ο ρόλος σας είναι καθοριστικός: κρατάτε ζωντανή την ελληνική γλώσσα και εμπνέετε τους μαθητές μας να είναι περήφανοι για την Ελλάδα. Δημιουργειτε Φιλέλληνες!

Μαζί σε συνεργασία, συνεχίζουμε να στηρίζουμε τους μαθητες μας, ώστε να προοδεύουν ακαδημαϊκά και προσωπικά. Σας ευχόμαστε ένα δημιουργικό και επιτυχημένο δεύτερο εξάμηνο και Καλή Χρονιά 2026

At Plato Academy, we believe that learning does not end within the walls of our classrooms—it extends to one another and the collective experience across our network. It is through these meaningful School of Excellence (SOE) visits that we not only strengthen the connections within our Plato Academy family, but also create purposeful opportunities to learn, reflect, and grow. The SOE visits remains one of the many ways we are committed to continuous improvement, offering us an inspiring lens into the exceptional practices happening across our campuses.

During the month of January, our School of Excellence visits will be underway. Each school’s administration has established a designated SOE Team that will visit other Plato Academy campuses. During these visits, teams will engage in a variety of reflective learning experiences, including:

• Classroom observations to bring back actionable best practices

• Student focus groups to hear directly from learners about their school experience

• Collaborative discussions with administration and school teams on successful initiatives and proud accomplishments

This year, the SOE process will also expand to include preparation for our upcoming Cognia reaccreditation cycle. Visiting teams will support schools in reviewing key processes and practices, collecting evidence, ensuring we are aligned and ready as a network for the accreditation work ahead.

We look forward to a powerful month of collaboration, innovation, and shared purpose. Together, we continue to elevate the quality of education across Plato Academy and move closer to fulfilling our mission of excellence in every classroom, every day.

TBD - Tampa

January 14 - Trinity

January 15 - Tarpon Springs

January 20 - Palm Harbor

January 21 - Clearwater

January 22 - Pinellas Park

January 27 - St Pete

January 28 - Seminole

Plato Academy values the diversity that multilingual learners bring to our classrooms—including our Greek educators and colleagues from around the world. Everyone arrives with unique cultural and educational experiences. Some learners may have been born in the U.S., while others, including multilingual staff, may have experienced schooling in other countries or have had limited formal education.

Tips for Teachers and Colleagues:

• Learn about students’ and colleagues’ experiences, interests, and strengths.

• Use materials and learning experiences that reflect the identities and backgrounds of everyone in the classroom.

• Foster intercultural understanding among students and colleagues alike.

• Collaborate with other educators—both local and international—to tailor learning and teaching experiences.

• Gather background information through writing samples, reading activities, or conversations.

• A warm smile and friendly greeting go a long way.

Goal:
Create a classroom and school environment where all students and educators feel safe, valued, and visible, while engaging with meaningful and rigorous learning opportunities.

The below reading focused observation tool from WIDA supports educators to observe a student engaging in activities related to reading comprehension in any content area. Use the tool to observe the student during activities that are structured in different ways; for example during teacher-led, whole-group instruction and during small group or independent activities.

Educators can strengthen instructional planning by intentionally aligning accessibility with language development throughout units and lessons. Using a reflection tool centered on Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and language considerations supports thoughtful planning that anticipates the needs of diverse learners.

An accompanying UDL example & ideas chart found below, further supports this work by helping educators identify and select accessible instructional strategies. It emphasizes key considerations that are especially supportive of multilingual learners, promoting inclusive and effective learning experiences for all students.

What: Homework Help with FDLRS - Earn 2 volunteer hours

Who: Families

When: January 5 / 5:00-6:00 pm

How: Online with link shared / Registration closed December 15.

What: 35073 | Book Study: 7 Mighty Moves 134453 | #1 10 Reading points

Who: teachers and staff

When: January 8, 2026 to February 19 2026

How: PCS PLN or Book Study Registration

What: Deeper Dive in Foundations A-Z

Who: K-2 and anyone using the program

When: January 15 / 4:00-5:00 pm

How: Zoom Link: https://learninga-z.zoom.us/j/96625113654?pwd=aa6ZQ0rXUiaZaLn4gQm36An8ppOXYk.1

Learning Session: Foundations A–Z Orientation

This session is designed to help educators new to Foundations A-Z learn how to supplement their core foundational skills program with resources in Foundations A-Z.

What: Building Stronger Classroom Management

Who: Plato Teachers

When: Bi-weekly on Tuesdays from January - March

How: In person.

North County Schools begin on 1/20/26 at Plato Trinity / 3:30 pm

South County Schools begin on 1/27/26 at Plato Pinellas Park / 3:30 pm

Registration link is QR code below in pamphlet.

What: Universal Design with FDLRS - 3 ESE hours

Who: Art and Music teachers / Both dates

When: January 20 and 21 / 4:00-5:30 pm

How: Link will be shared

What: UFLI with correlation with A-Z /Using Raz-Plus Correlations to Enhance your Core Correlations

Who: K-2 teachers

When: January 22 / 4:00-5:00 pm

How: Link: Zoom Link: https://learninga-z.zoom.us/j/97317974548?pwd=IssMloa9rtdiHVRbAGmgboKG5SO407.1

What: Classroom Management with FDLRS - 3 Gen Ed hours

Who: All Greek Teachers/Department / Both dates

When: January 22 and 28 / 4:00-5:30 pm

How: Link will be shared

What: Measuring Growth and Achievement - STAR Renaissance 3 PLN points

Who: K-2 teachers

When: January 29 / 4:00-5:30 pm

How: Join the meeting now, Meeting ID: 299 577 864 749 4, Passcode: 9Cm2ir3A

FDLRS courses for Pinellas and Pasco

*Verbal De-escalation (3 ESE points)

Participants will master the basics of behavior management, with an emphasis on understanding that all behavior is a form of communication. You will learn how to enhance your classroom management skills and reduce negative behaviors by effectively using strategies such as proximity, body language (including movements and posture), empathetic/dismissive listening, paraverbal communication (focusing on cadence, volume, and tone), and relationship building.

Contact Information: Brianna Tesar, tesarb@pcsb.org

January 6

5:00pm-7:00pm

*Supporting Students with Dyslexia (3 ESE points)

The purpose of this professional learning session is for participants to deepen their understanding of dyslexia by exploring its definition and key characteristics, understand the Florida statues and rules related to eligibility and consider how assessments can support students with characteristics of dyslexia and receive best practice strategies to support students with characteristics of dyslexia to meet individual student needs.

Contact Information: Beth Hutfilz, hutfilzb@pcsb.org

January 7

5:00pm-7:00pm

*Visual supports to Enhance Learner Outcomes (2 ESE points)

The purpose of this training is to help teachers learn to explore how visual tools and strategies can transform the way they support student learning. Whether it's through mages, charts, symbols, or objects, visuals provide powerful ways to clarify information, engage learners, and support varied learning needs. By integrating visuals into our teaching practices, we can help students make connections, stay focused, and retain information more effectively. Participants will learn how to create

and use visual supports in the first two hours of the training. The third hour of professional learning will be participants creating/implementing a visual support with students and collecting pre and post-implementation data to receive credit for the course.

Contact Information: Kelly O’Malley, omalleyk@pcsb.org

January 20

6:30pm-8:30pm

*The Art and Science of Positive Interactions (3 ESE points)

Participants will learn to differentiate between positive and negative interactions and discover strategies for intentionally increasing positive interactions. They will also explore how to make these interactions more meaningful and how to provide corrective feedback effectively when needed.

Contact Information: Brianna Tesar, tesarb@pcsb.org

January 20

5:00pm-7:00pm

*Differentiated Instruction: Empowering All Learners (3 ESE points)

Participants will learn to distinguish between Differentiated Instruction and Universal Design for Learning. They will explore strategies for differentiating content and processes during instruction, understand the importance of adapting the learning environment, and develop a differentiated lesson plan. Participants will also collect and analyze post-test data to assess the effectiveness of their instruction.

Contact Information: Beth Hutfilz, hutfilzb@pcsb.org

January 21

5:00pm-7:00pm

*Making Visual Supports with Lessonpix (2 ESE points)

Participants will learn how to search for and create print activities and visual supports for students with disabilities for learning, behavior, and communication using LessonPix online.

Contact Information: Kelly O’Malley, omalleyk@pcsb.org

January 26

6:30pm-8:30pm

ASD Endorsement Course: Nature, Need, Assessment and Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorders with Field Experience

February 12, 2026

5:00pm – 7:00pm

Krysta Hayes-Salvato - Krysta.Salvato-Hayes1@hcps.net

Brianna Tesar - tesarb@pcsb.org

Course runs from February 12, 2026 through May 14, 2026. Upon completion of all course requirements, you will receive a certificate of completion with 80 inservice credit hours .

Registration Link

We are very proud that Plato Academy has expanded its support for teachers through customized, high-quality professional learning. As education continues to evolve, we recognize that our school is implementing numerous new initiatives, tools, and instructional expectations. Our goal is to ensure that our educators feel supported, confident, and comfortable as these changes occur.

One of the ways we are doing this is through our Implementation and Instruction Specialists. They are available to partner with you in strengthening instructional planning and delivery in ways that feel practical, manageable, and aligned to your classroom needs. These supports are not about adding pressure, but about making improvement feel clear, supported, and sustainable.

Teachers who are ready to grow through training, small groups, or one-on-one professional learning are encouraged to take advantage of these coaching opportunities. This is a supportive way to strengthen your practice, increase your impact on student outcomes, and likely be reflected in the professional learning sections of your performance practices.

If you are interested in requesting support on a specific skill or topic, or would like to learn more about individualized professional learning opportunities, please complete the request form below to get started: Instructional Support Specialist Training Request Form

Florida is committed to preparing students to be civically engaged and knowledgeable citizens. To support this goal, the Florida Department of Education is continuing the Civics Seal of Excellence online endorsement course.

The course focuses on primary source documents from the American founding, American government, and U.S. history. It includes videos, readings, reflections, and assessments designed to deepen content knowledge and strengthen civic understanding.

Registration opens at 6:00 p.m. on January 7, 2025. The course is open to Florida educators with a valid, active certificate. Teachers who successfully complete the 50-hour course may add the Civics Seal of Excellence endorsement to their certificate and receive a $3,000 stipend. Enrollment is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. To register, please visit CivicsLiteracy.org

Celebrate Literacy Week, Florida!

This special week shines a spotlight on the joy and power of reading! It’s a chance to inspire students and families across Florida to dive into books, share stories, and make reading a fun, daily adventure. Let’s celebrate the magic of words together!

The Celebrate Literacy Week, Florida! 2026 theme is Read, White and Blue: Celebrating 250 Chapters of America. With this theme in mind, we are encouraging all our teachers and students to participate in reading books related to the history of the United States to deepen students’ knowledge and support the “America250FL” celebration of the nation’s founding.

Office Hours with Mrs Parker – Every Monday!
When: Mondays : 4:00–5:30 pm

Starting August 18

Whether you want to talk professional development, certification, teacher support, or brainstorm new ideas — Mrs. Parker is here for you!

How: Send a virtual invite to parkerd@platoacademy.net to schedule your one-on-one during this dedicated time. Let’s connect, collaborate, and grow together!

Email: parkerd@platoacademy.net
Location: 1822 North Belcher Road, Suite 101, Clearwater, FL, USA
Phone: 727-205 6360

PD Mission and Vision:

At Plato Academy, we believe that when teachers grow, students thrive. Our vision is to support educators in becoming confident, inspired, and ever-evolving—professionals who lead with both skill and heart. Guided by the spirit of philotimo, Sophrosyni, Areti and Athena's Wisdom, we’re passionate about fostering a culture of learning where excellence, curiosity, and character shape everything we do.