January 2021 — In March 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic forced schools to pivot quickly to implement remote learning programs, train educators, walk parents through the process, and make sure students didn’t fall behind. Public charter schools were able to make the transition and many, like Somerset Academy Silver Palms, took a giant leap forward in their response to the academic, social, and emotional needs of the families they serve. Serving a student population where over 75% qualify for Free and Reduced Lunch, the admin team at Somerset Academy Silver Palms understood that they needed to do more than launch a remote learning program. They had to increase communication with parents, expand the support provided to teachers, and give students — especially the seniors — the school experienced they needed in order to learn and strive.
FCSA Executive Director Lynn Norman-Teck recently spoke with Kerri Ann O’Sullivan, Principal of Somerset Academy Silver Palm – a k-12 public charter school in Miami-Dade County – and her daughter, Maddi, a senior at that school. Ms. O’Sullivan and Maddi talked about their experience with remote learning and returning to campus, and what it’s like to be a principal, parent, and student during the pandemic.
This podcast highlights the tough decisions that charter school leaders have had to make during the pandemic, and how they’re overcoming obstacles and treading new ground to serve the community they love while supporting the needs of the whole child attending on-campus or via remote learning. Talking about the Class of 2020 graduation ceremony, Ms. O’Sullivan said “I was determined to make sure that these kids were able to have what they deserve…we did it as a team,” From checking in on teachers’ mental and physical well-being to ensuring that sports continue to be an option for students, she’s on a mission to ensure her students, and staff, have what they need.
To listen to our podcast conversation with Ms. O’Sullivan and Maddi, click here.
Watch our interview with Ms. O’Sullivan and her daughter/Class of 2021 senior, here.Â
To learn more about Somerset Academy Silver Palm, click here.Â
Providing Choice is a Florida Charter School Alliance podcast. Episodes highlight charter school leaders, educators, governing board members, stakeholders, prospective founders, students, and parents, to provide a better understanding of the Charter School movement in Florida.
The Florida Alliance is a non-profit charter school support and advocacy organization. Our mission is to increase student achievement and meet the demand for parental choice by assisting and supporting high-quality public charter schools in Florida. In the 2019-2020 school year, more than 329,000 students were enrolled in a public charter school in Florida.
