Florida News Straight From the Source
With hurricane season fast approaching, the Florida Health Care Association (FHCA) today released storm response plans for long term care facilities, designed to ensure that the association’s more than 600 nursing centers are fully prepared and capable to handle the upcoming season. [Read more…] about Florida Health Care Association Prepares Nursing Centers for 2022 Hurricane Season
On May 6, 2022, the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) posted a Draft State Action Plan and announced the opening of the 30-day public comment period to seek input on the state’s plan to access more than $187 million in federal funding available to assist Florida with Hurricane Sally recovery efforts through the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) program. [Read more…] about DEO Announces Public Comment Period for the State’s Draft Action Plan to Access More Than $187 Million in Disaster Recovery Funding for Hurricane Sally
U.S. Congressman Brian Mast (FL-18) today advanced seven key pieces of legislation to address critical water quality and water infrastructure needs in Florida as part of the Water Resources Development Act of 2022. [Read more…] about Mast’s Northern Estuaries Restoration Plan, $100M for Estuary Protection Pass Transportation & Infrastructure Committee
The Florida Municipal Electric Association (FMEA) today is holding its annual Hurricane & Storm Preparedness Forum – a one-day event that offers presentations on hurricane preparedness and response, mutual aid, FEMA, and other disaster and emergency response related issues, as well as opportunities for Florida Public Power utilities to share best practices and lessons learned from each other. [Read more…] about FMEA Holds Annual Hurricane & Storm Preparedness Forum in Gainesville
Agents with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement arrested Kiana Kiara-Alexis Russell, 22, of Loxahatchee on charges of scheme to defraud, money laundering and aggravated white-collar crime. [Read more…] about FDLE arrests co-conspirator in Operation “NOT for sale by owner” real estate scam
On May 7, 2022, the Governor signed House Bill 7071. [Read more…] about Tax Reduction for Uninhabitable Dwellings by Rep. Woodson Included in Taxation Bill
With the Florida Legislature preparing to debate property insurance legislation during the upcoming special session, a nonprofit trade association advocating for the rights of homeowners and independent contractor businesses this week sued the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation and two insurance companies. [Read more…] about Trade Association Sues Florida Insurance Commissioner for Allowing Property Insurance Companies to Circumvent State Law
Cutting-edge classical curriculum development firm Optima Domi today announced it has received accreditation and certification by Cognia, a prized mark of achievement recognized by education institutions worldwide.
Optima Domi will launch its virtual instruction through Optima Classical Academy, the world’s first virtual reality classical charter school, this fall for students in grades 3-8.
“We are incredibly proud to be providing a new school choice option approved by Cognia and acknowledged as a first-of-its-kind, valuable learning option,” said Erika Donalds, Founder and CEO. ”Gaining this accreditation sends a clear message to universities that our students deserve admission to their higher education institutions. We look forward to providing our students with a unique educational experience in our innovative VR classrooms.”
Earlier this year, Optima Domi became one of only ten virtual instruction program (VIP) providers approved by the Florida Department of Education and the only one delivering a classical education in virtual reality (VR). The Optima Domi curriculum will focus on independent student learning to increase flexible, personalized school choice options. The curriculum teaches historical events, characters, stories, fables, poetry, scientific facts, and mathematical proofs in a fully immersive VR experience. The rest of the curriculum is experienced online, outdoors on projects and assignments, or traditionally with books and other materials.
Cognia is a renowned school improvement, assessment, and certification organization that utilizes a team of professional reviews and research-based performance standards in its accreditation process.
“Receiving accreditation from Cognia is a significant accomplishment for our institution. Pioneering a unique school choice option and developing a brand-new, technologically innovative curriculum that teaches classical works is not something that happens overnight,” said Adam Mangana, Executive Director of Optima Domi. “We put great effort into developing an option that would serve families from different backgrounds across the state, and we cannot wait to see it in action in the upcoming school year.”
Optima Classical Academy, a tuition-free, cutting-edge charter school, will enroll up to 1,300 students in grades 3-8 for its inaugural class this fall. The Florida-based school plans to extend VR classes through 10th grade for the 2023-24 academic year and then to all K-12 students the following year, following further virtual instruction provider approval.
For additional information on Optima Classical Academy, visit optimaclassical.org.
About Optima Domi
Optima Domi is a curriculum developer and provider offering an innovative, immersive, and world-class classical education model that can be experienced by scholars at home, with a learning pod, in a traditional school setting, or at practically any location of the family’s choosing. To learn more about Optima Domi, visit OptimaDomi.com.
Governor Ron DeSantis has recently announced the appointment of Gary Jennings, Director of Keep Florida Fishing for the American Sportfishing Association, to the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission. [Read more…] about Governor Ron DeSantis Appoints Keep Florida Fishing’s Gary Jennings to the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission
