July 2023

We are thrilled to extend a warm welcome to Amy Hayes, the new Chief of schools of Plato Academy. On behalf of the Board of Directors, I want to express our excitement and anticipation for the positive impact we know you will bring to our Schools.

Amy is returning to the Plato Academy family, as she worked at Plato in 2007 teaching 2nd grade, ESE Compliance, and Principal of Largo from 2010-2015.

Amy has been in public education for sixteen years. She earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts from The Ohio State University and holds a Master of Education in Educational Leadership from the University of West Florida, Director of Charter Schools and Home School Education for Pinellas County Schools, Board Secretary of the Florida Association of Charter School Authorizers, a non-profit organization dedicated to ensuring best practices of Florida charter school authorization across the state.

Her extensive experience and proven leadership in the education sector make her an excellent fit for our charter schools. We believe that her innovative ideas, strategic vision, and commitment to student success will steer Plato towards new heights.

As the new Chief of School, she will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of Plato, driving growth, and nurturing a vibrant learning environment. We are confident that her passion for education and her collaborative approach will inspire our dedicated staff, engage our students, and foster a sense of community among all stakeholders.

We are excited to work alongside Amy, leveraging her expertise to enhance our academic programs, strengthen our community partnerships, and create even more opportunities for our students to thrive and uphold our mission of providing a nurturing and empowering educational experience for every student at Plato Academy.

Chairman of Plato Academy Board,

Louis Kokkinakos

Dear Students, Parents, Teachers, and Staff,

I am delighted to address you all as the new Chief of Schools. It is with great enthusiasm and a deep sense of responsibility that I rejoin Plato by stepping into this role, especially knowing the profound impact education has on shaping the lives of our students and the future of our community.

First and foremost, I want to express my heartfelt appreciation to all the dedicated educators and support staff who work tirelessly to provide an excellent learning environment for our students. Your commitment and passion are the driving forces behind our schools' success, and I am honored to join your ranks.

To our students, I want you to know that you are the heart and soul of our educational community. Each one of you possesses unique talents, aspirations, and potential. It is my goal to foster an inclusive and nurturing environment where you can thrive academically, emotionally, and socially. I believe in your capacity to excel, and I am committed to providing you with the necessary tools and resources to achieve your dreams.

To parents and guardians, I recognize the trust you place in us to educate and guide your children. I assure you that I am dedicated to open communication, collaboration, and transparency. Together, we will work as partners in your child's educational journey, ensuring they receive a well-rounded education that prepares them for a rapidly changing world.

In the face of evolving challenges and opportunities, I believe in the power of innovation and forward-thinking approaches. Our schools will embrace new technologies, teaching methodologies, and interdisciplinary learning experiences to equip our students with the skills they need to thrive in the 21st century. We will foster a culture of lifelong learning, adaptability, and resilience, preparing our students to become compassionate leaders and responsible global citizens.

I am committed to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in our schools. Every student, regardless of their background, deserves equal access to quality education and opportunities. We will strive to create a safe and inclusive space where all voices are heard, respected, and valued.

Finally, I invite you to share your thoughts, ideas, and concerns. Together, we can create a stronger educational community that nurtures the potential of every student. I am excited to embark on this journey with you all, and I look forward to getting to know each of you personally.

Thank you for your trust and support. Together, let us build a future where education empowers and inspires.

With Appreciation,

Amy Hayes, M.ED, Chief of Schools

Our newly redesigned website offers a more user-friendly experience, making it easier for parents, students, and staff to navigate and access essential information. Be sure to explore https://platoacademy.net to check out the fresh design and let us know what you think!

As we prepare for the upcoming school year, we want to ensure that both students and parents are fully equipped for a successful academic journey. The school supply lists for each grade level are now available on our newly redesigned website. To access the supply lists, please visit www.platoacademy.net and select your campus from the "Campus Locations" dropdown menu.

Mark your calendars! The first day of the 2023-2024 school year is on Thursday, August 10th. We can't wait to see all our students back on campus, eager to dive into another year of learning and growth. For details regarding open house hours for each campus check the "Events" section at the bottom of your school's page.

It fills our hearts with delight knowing that our families had the opportunity to explore the wonders of Greece together. From the ancient ruins that whispered tales of the past to the lively streets brimming with culture, every moment was enriched with discovery and camaraderie.

After many years without an organized group trip to Greece, Plato Academy students and parents from all nine campuses successfully completed a wonderful trip on June 19, 2023.

The planning of this year’s trip started a little late, but with the help of three wonderful Greek teachers, namely Mrs. Kapnogiannis, Mrs. Vitous and Mr. Giavaras, and the support of Mrs. Cicetti on June 5, 2023, eleven students and eleven parents were scheduled to depart for a memorable tour of Southwest Peloponnesus and the island of Zakynthos. Unfortunately, two families could not join the group, due to last minute issues with passports and health, but they will have the chance to join next year’s group in June 2024.

The idea of the trip was to visit as many historical places as possible that the students were familiar with, through their studies of the Greek language and culture, in a comfortable and entertaining way. Also, we wanted both students and parents to get the opportunity to enjoy local traditional dishes, some of which they had never tasted before.

After landing in Athens, on June 6th, the Plato Academy travelers were welcomed by representatives of the airport Eleftherios Venizelos and received small gifts and hats. The dancing group “Otho - Pato'' of the city of Artemidos, wearing traditional costumes, added beautiful ethnic color to the short, but very warm welcome. Later, they went to their hotel, in the center of the city of Athens, and after a night’s well-deserved sleep they started their tour, the next morning, by visiting the historic center of Athens (Syntagma Square, Panathenaic Stadium, and old Athens).

On the third day, they visited the Parthenon, as well as the incredible museum of the Acropolis.

The next day, they boarded the chartered luxury buses and started their tour with stops in the Isthmus of Corinth, Epidaurus, and Nafplio. After two days, they visited Olympia where the ancient Olympic Games were taking place.

The group traveled by ferry boat to the island of Zakynthos where they spent four days, and they had the opportunity to visit the 3rd Public School of the island. The District Director of Education, Mr. Athanasios Katsimbelis and the Principal of the School welcomed our group with small gifts. The great surprise for both the Greek students and teachers of the Zakynthos school came when four of our students addressed the gathered crowd in Greek, drawing a thunderous applause.

After leaving Zakynthos they visited Galaxidi, Arahova and Delphi where, in ancient times, the oracle operated and gave advice to kings and generals from all over the known world.

In the final days of the trip to Greece, the group visited Sounion and the Temple of Poseidon, leaving the last day open for shopping, relaxation, and packing.

On June 19th, I had the pleasure of meeting parents and students at the Tampa airport, and I noticed that although they all wore tired faces and unkempt hair, they were all ecstatic about the amazing experiences that the trip to Greece offered them.

As the mother of a student said, when I asked her how she liked the trip to Greece, “what was not to like? The country is beautiful, the tours very well organized, our three Greek teacher-chaperones were fantastic, and my delicious Greek meals prepared and served to me and my family for two weeks. We are going back in two years! Thank you, Greece, for the beautiful sun, the amazing history, for the exciting scenery, and thank you Plato for making it all possible!"

Stay tuned for the announcement of our next trip in June 2024!

Michael Alexandrou

This July, our educators had the amazing opportunity to attend the renowned Ron Clark Academy Conference in Atlanta, Georgia. This model school has a vision to transform classrooms around the world by demonstrating transformative methods and strategies. During this incredible conference, our educators engaged in interactive workshops, and connected with like-minded professionals. They were immersed in an environment brimming with energy, creativity, and a shared passion for empowering students to reach their full potential.

The Ron Clark Academy is renowned for its cutting-edge approach to education, and our educators were thrilled to learn from some of the best in the field. They discovered new ways to foster student engagement, promote critical thinking, and create a vibrant classroom atmosphere that sparks curiosity and excitement.

With fresh insights and a renewed sense of purpose, our educators returned to Plato Academy Schools ready to implement these transformative methods in their own already successful classrooms equipped with a toolbox of innovative strategies that will enhance the learning experiences of our students, empowering them to become lifelong learners and confident individuals.

Check out these photos from the conference, capturing the enthusiasm and inspiration our educators brought back with them!

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Ron Clark Academy for hosting this incredible conference, and we look forward to continuing to transform the lives of our students with the knowledge and insights gained from this remarkable experience.

#PlatoAcademy #RonClarkAcademy #EducationConference #TransformativeTeaching #InspiredEducators #PlatoAcademyschools #RCAHouseSystem #ronclarkacademy #RCAEXP #RCAinspired

Our dedicated teachers have been actively enhancing their skills and knowledge during the summer break through various training programs. These efforts are a testament to our commitment to offering the best possible education to your children. They are eager and prepared to create inspiring learning experiences for the upcoming school year.

We hope this newsletter finds you all in high spirits and enjoying the summer break. As we gear up for the upcoming school year, we are thrilled to share some exciting updates about our sports programs.

Click on the three links below for details.

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

The word "academic" is derived from the Latin term "academicus," which means "relating to an academy" or "collegiate, scholarly" but the Latin term originates from Greek "Academia," the place where Plato taught in classical Athens / the grove of Akadēmos," who was a legendary Athenian. (His name, Latinized as Academus, means "quiet town"). He is also referred to as the original estate-holder of the site where Plato's school was located. Plato named his school "Ακαδημία" to honor Academus.

"What's great about Plato is that it's not a huge school, so they keep the teacher to student ratios low, which I really appreciate. Plus, one of the coolest things for me is that when my kids come home, they start speaking to me in Greek. It's amazing to see them learning and using a new language like that!"

Lucas C.

Plato Academy parent

"I truly appreciate our school and Plato Academy as a whole, primarily because of its strong emphasis on the values of family. To me, it represents much more than just an educational institution; it feels like a genuine and caring community that fosters a sense of belonging and support."

Isabella M.

Plato Academy parent

"I'm really impressed with Plato Academy's dedication to academic excellence. They do such an amazing job challenging students to embrace learning as a crucial part of their lives. I've noticed how much my son has grown and how excited he is about gaining knowledge. The school's atmosphere cultivates a remarkable love for learning, and it makes me proud to see my child thriving in such an environment."

Sophia L.

Plato Academy MS parent

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 comment 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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