August 2023

Greetings Plato Academy Families,

On behalf of the Plato Academy Board of Directors, I am delighted to welcome each one of you to the beginning of another exciting academic year. It is with great enthusiasm that we embark on this journey together, committed to the growth and success of our students.

I want to extend my sincere appreciation to our dedicated teachers, staff members, administrators, and support personnel who work tirelessly to create a nurturing and enriching learning environment. Your passion, expertise, and unwavering commitment to our students are the driving force behind our school’s success.

To our exceptional students, I want you to know that you are at the heart of everything we do. This school exists for you – to inspire and challenge you, to help you unlock your potential, and to prepare you for a bright future. Your curiosity, creativity, and determination make our school community vibrant and dynamic, and we are here to support you every step of the way.

As we begin this new academic year, let us remember our shared vision and goals. We strive for excellence in education, fostering a culture of inclusivity, and empowering our students to become lifelong learners and responsible citizens. We believe in the power of education to transform lives, and together, we can create a positive impact in our community and beyond.

I encourage each of you to embrace the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead. Let us embrace innovation, embrace collaboration, and embrace the potential within ourselves and our students. Together, we can achieve remarkable things.

I wish you all a successful and fulfilling school year. Let us work hand in hand to create an environment where every student thrives and reaches their fullest potential.

Thank you for being a part of our Plato Academy Family.

Sincerely,

Louis Kokkinakos

Chairman of the Board

Dear Students, Parents, and Educators,

I hope this message finds you all well and settling into the rhythm of the new school year. As we close out the third week of school, I wanted to take a moment to express my gratitude for your dedication and hard work in making this year's start a success.

Our schools have come alive once again with the vibrant energy of learning, curiosity, and growth. It's heartwarming to witness students engaged in their studies, teachers bringing their passion to the classroom, and parents actively supporting their children's educational journey.

In these early days of the academic year, we understand that adjustments and adaptations are part of the process. We encourage open communication between students, parents, and teachers to ensure a seamless transition.

Remember, education is a collaborative effort that involves the entire community. Each one of you plays a vital role in creating a positive and nurturing environment for our students. Let's continue to work together to inspire a love for learning, foster creativity, develop the skills our students need to thrive in an ever-changing world and model resilience and a growth mindset for our students, showing them that every step of the journey is valuable.

Thank you once again for your unwavering commitment to education. I am excited to witness the incredible achievements that will undoubtedly arise throughout the rest of the school year. Here's to a productive, enriching, and inspiring school year!

Best regards,

Amy Hayes, M. Ed.

Chief of Schools

Every year, the Plato Academy event brings together educators from all nine campuses, creating a vibrant platform for collaboration and preparation as the new school year approaches. This gathering stands as a testament to the institution's unwavering commitment to staying ahead of the curve in the ever-evolving landscape of education. The event is characterized by informative seminars that shed light on emerging trends in education, equipping teachers with insights to enhance their teaching practice. A key highlight of the conference is the keynote address, and this year's event was graced by Dr. John Licato, Assistant Professor in the Computer Science and Engineering department at the University of South Florida (USF) and visionary founder/director of the Advancing Machine and Human Reasoning (AMHR) Lab.

Dawn Parker, Director of Staff Development for Plato Academy Schools, whose opening speech seamlessly transitioned to welcoming newcomers to the profession, recognizing the start of their educational journeys and extending gratitude for their involvement. The spotlight then shifted to educators with 1 to 5 years of experience, applauding their perseverance and dedication during the initial stages of their careers.

The focus of recognition extended to those with 6 to 10 years of experience, acknowledging their profound impact on countless students' lives despite the personal and professional challenges they've faced. Special tribute was paid to the longstanding members of the educational community, celebrating their unwavering commitment to excellence and innovation throughout the years.

Dr. Licato took the stage beginning his keynote speech by highlighting the unique passion and creativity of educators hailing from diverse backgrounds and experiences. He celebrated their collective dedication to the transformative power of education, emphasizing the importance of a united community in driving positive change, nurturing young minds, and fostering creativity.

The spotlight shifted to the integration of AI in education, with Dr. Licato, an expert in natural language processing and AI, taking the lead. He discussed the intricate challenges of distinguishing between AI-generated content and human-generated content, shedding light on instances where AI systems have achieved remarkable results, while raising concerns about identifying and addressing potential academic dishonesty.

Dr. Licato shared instances where AI had successfully solved complex programming problems, often producing results indistinguishable from human-generated solutions. The discussion acknowledged the difficulty of confidently discerning between human and AI-generated content due to AI's advancements in pattern recognition. The crucial question of how educators could effectively tackle this challenge while upholding academic integrity was posed.

The assertion that AI would be a pivotal aspect of the educational landscape was explored, emphasizing the need for institutions to adapt their policies and approaches to accommodate this new reality. The address concluded by encouraging critical thinking when interpreting claims about AI's capabilities, stressing the importance of delving into the context and research behind such statements.

Dr. Licato further delved into the challenges posed by AI-generated content, noting its potential impact on education and assessment methods. He emphasized that while the technology itself isn't new, the modern AI language models, like GPT-3, have evolved to a point where they can produce high-quality text, raising concerns about academic integrity. Dr. Licato illuminated the working principle of language models, explaining their predictive nature based on learned patterns and context from vast datasets. He discussed how these models can engage in dialogue, generate text in various styles, and make jokes, emphasizing that their output is guided by patterns rather than factual accuracy.

Embracing the challenge

The call for educators to proactively adapt to this evolving landscape resounded, with suggestions like in-class assessments and revised grading weight for assignments completed outside class. Dr. Licato emphasized embracing the challenges presented by AI-generated content as opportunities to explore novel teaching methods. The presentation culminated with a call to action, urging educators to collaborate, share experiences, and explore strategies to navigate AI's impact on education, reminding all that despite challenges, this technology offers exciting prospects for innovation and growth.

After the informative morning session, educators engaged in specialized training sessions aligned with their individual interests, diving deeper into a diverse array of subjects. These focused workshops provided a valuable avenue for teachers to enrich their teaching strategies in line with their goals. As the day progressed, the spotlight shifted to grade level meetings, facilitating collaborative planning sessions during the afternoon. This dedicated time enabled teachers to combine their insights, effectively shaping their strategies for the upcoming school year.

The annual Plato Academy event continues to serve as an instrumental platform, not only in unifying educators from across campuses but also in providing a space for them to equip themselves with the tools and insights needed to tackle the evolving challenges and opportunities of modern education.

August 25, marks a day of remembrance as we pay tribute to the visionary leader of Plato Academy Schools, Steve Christopoulos.

His profound dedication to academic excellence and his fervent commitment to nurturing young minds led to the establishment of Plato Academy Charter Schools. The outstanding quality and unwavering standards of these schools stand as a testament to his enduring vision.

In his words, "I am committed to making each Plato Academy school a place where children create happy, lifelong memories and build academic foundations strong and stable enough to uphold the biggest of dreams and most challenging of goals."

Today we reflect upon his journey, celebrate his achievements, and pledge to carry forward his mission of providing exceptional education that empowers students to achieve their utmost potential.

Steve Christopoulos embodied a visionary spirit, looking beyond the horizon and shaping a brighter future for education.

His profound passion for learning was matched only by his unwavering dedication to its transformative potential. Gifted with intelligence and an unyielding commitment, he tirelessly worked to turn his educational vision into reality. In the face of challenges, his resilience shone through, propelling him to overcome setbacks, such as the initial struggles of Plato Academy, and emerge stronger.

His strong community ethos was evident in his efforts to create nurturing environments that fostered both academic growth and meaningful connections.

His legacy lies in his empowerment of students, setting high standards that paved the way for personal development. Moreover, his innovative approach to education embraced technology, diverse cultural exposure, and enrichment opportunities, reflecting his belief in holistic and impactful learning experiences.

Through these qualities, Steve Christopoulos remains an inspirational leader who has left an indelible mark on the landscape of education.

Our governing board and staff working in our Home Office and schools, commit themselves to Plato Academy, its foundation and the vision of Steve Christopoulos and will continue with the same passion, resilience, and persistence, he displayed as he led Plato schools to the top. Plato will continue his legacy and his dream!”

Read more about Steve Christopoulos at: https://platoacademy.net/about-us/history/

(Click on the image to open the pdf file on box.com)

Character education is a program aimed at cultivating positive character qualities in students. The primary objective is to establish a school culture that is immersed in attributes like respect, responsibility, honesty, and self-motivation. This emphasis on character traits is intended to enhance student achievement and create a secure learning environment.

In the Commitment to Character program, a fixed curriculum is not used. Instead, a range of strategies is offered to be seamlessly integrated into the regular curriculum. This approach is marked by a deliberate and conscious emphasis on character education. The program employs various methods including a shared vocabulary (common language such as using the same character traits), seizing spontaneous teaching moments (teachable moments), engaging in community service activities (service learning), and setting examples through behavior (modeling). These strategies are applied across all subjects, ensuring that character education is woven into every facet of the curriculum.

Our fall sports are here! Next week we kick off with Girls Volleyball and Boys Soccer. As we continue to move forward with our exciting programs, we still need coaches at each campus.

Click on the three links below for details on our sports programs, when tryouts and other important dates are, and what coaching needs your campus still has.

If you have any questions about the upcoming sports seasons, please feel free to email me at: athletics@platoacademy.net

Justin Davis

Plato Academy Schools

Athletics Director

At #PlatoAcademySchools, we believe in nurturing young minds, shaping bright futures, and creating a foundation for success that lasts a lifetime. We are delighted to share a heartfelt testimonial from one of our valued parents, highlighting the extraordinary impact our teachers have on their children's lives.

While the names of the parent and student are kept confidential, we couldn't be prouder to showcase the genuine experiences and appreciation our parents have for the exceptional educators at our school.

"...thinking often about what a positive influence you were in my son’s life at Plato Tarpon. Just to let you know he’s off to UCF in 18 days, enrolling as a sophomore. He completed his freshman year at SPC as a senior at Tarpon High. Best decision I ever made was sending him to Plato! I just wanted to say thank you for building a foundation to make him so academically strong."

Parent of Plato Academy alumni

Thank you so much Justin for transforming our sports department and offering so many opportunities for middle school students!

Our first child missed sports because of Covid, but we are so thrilled that you have put so much time and dedication into getting this program back up and running. Our son is definitely looking forward to participating several sports the school year. Especially excited to see track now added as well to Palm harbor!

Thank you.

Plato family, your dedication and hard work do not go unnoticed, and it's time to acknowledge it. We share some of the comments we received this month:

"A big thank you to Ms. Goings for her approachability and consistent helpfulness."
Your support makes a real difference.

"Appreciation goes out to Ms. West for her understanding, diligence, and kindness."
Your empathy doesn't go unnoticed.

"A special mention to Ms. Davila for her passion for teaching and compassion for her students." Your enthusiasm is inspiring.

"Recognizing Ms. Bart for her relatability and personal connection with our students."
Your efforts are valued.

"Acknowledging Officer Michelle for her friendly nature and endless patience."
Your presence has a positive impact.

"Mr. Sayers, you're simply a "cool dude" who brings a unique vibe to education."
Keep up the awesome work.

"A standing ovation for Mrs. Campbell for her exceptional teaching abilities."
You're shaping futures every day.

"Sending gratitude to Mrs. Campbell for making our Kindergartener's transition to this new school smooth."
Your warmth and responsiveness are deeply appreciated.

Let's continue to express our gratitude for these outstanding individuals who shape our learning journey. #Appreciation #RemarkableEducators #ThankYouAll #platoacademyschools

We would like to extend a very warm welcome to Tracey Greenlees, Ed Tech Coordinator with Emphasis in Reading, to our Plato Academy Home Office Team. Her certifications include Library Media Specialist, K-6 Elementary, Reading Certification, ESOL, and ESE K-12. With Tracey's background and experience, we look forward to her strong support in collaborating with our leaders and teachers around improving literacy initiatives within the organization, online PD resources and training for teachers, and technology resource maximization within the classrooms.

"Greetings All!

My name is Tracey Greenlees and I was born and raised in London, England. I am delighted to be joining the Plato Family! I am an experienced educator with a passion for literacy instruction and technology integration. Graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Exceptional Education (K-12) from St. Petersburg College in 2011, I have since dedicated 12 years of my life to the field of education.

Throughout my career, I have played pivotal roles as an Instructional Staff Developer, Library Media Technology Specialist, and 4th/5th Grade ELA and Social Studies teacher at various Pinellas County Schools. I take pride in providing leadership and coaching in the development of digital resources and collections. As an advocate for literacy, I love to utilize research-based strategies and integrate technology into the curriculum to enhance learning and prepare students for the future.

Beyond my role as an educator, I have a wonderful family! I have been married to my husband Bruce for 28 years, and we have two wonderful children, Georgia and Samuel, and a pup named Marshall - I love Dogs! In my free time, I love to cook, do home projects, read, workout and travel. This past summer, I visited some of the Greek islands; they are absolutely stunning!

I look forward to working with you all, and please know, I value collaboration and seek opportunities to learn from others while sharing my knowledge and skills with colleagues.

I am eager to continue making a positive impact on the lives of students, educators, and the broader educational community."

Tracey Greenlees

At Plato Academy Schools, we're constantly on the lookout for the best educators – the driving force behind Plato's success and the cornerstone of our organization.

If you know someone who would like to be part of our community of educators, feel free to help them reach out to us. If you know someone who's all about our values and is super excited about making a positive impact in education, we'd love to hear from you and them.

https://platoacademy.net/about-us/

Thanks for being such a crucial part of our community. Your help could shape the future of education and inspire young minds to do great things.

Feel free to share this link with anyone you believe would be a valuable addition to our educational community: https://platoacademy.net/careers/

Click the links below, find your school & leave a review on any of the platforms below then send your rating to your principal to receive a volunteer hour!

This is an anonymous form (unless you choose to leave your information) for anyone: staff, parents, guardians, or students to share any suggestions, concerns, ideas, or comments on how you think any aspect of our schools could be improved with the Plato Academy Home Office. This will always be available to you and will be reviewed regularly.

If you have a safety-related concern, you may also use the School Safety Survey.

Thank you for your support and dedication to helping Plato Academy get even better!

"...Hermes is the namesake of Hermes the Trismegistus, as the ancient Greeks called the Egyptian god Thoth, who was the inspirer of the arts and sciences, but also a writer.

Until about five years ago, he too lived among an anonymous crowd. But by a quirk of fate, or a fateful choice, or a fateful end because of by fate or fateful coincidence, he suddenly found himself in the disputed mythical world and he took up the duties of a steward in Aeolia and specifically in the palace of Zephyros who is the west wind and mediator between Hades and humans........"

Order the book and read the rest of the story.

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