21CCCS Celebrates The Start of the 2022-2023 School Year With Socializing Opportunities for Cyber Students

Posted on September 25, 2023September 25, 2023 by Matt Hillesland

Welcome back 21CCCS community! As of August 23rd, school is back in session, and we are excited to start the 2023-2024 academic year off strong!

At 21CCCS, we are consistently on the lookout for ways to help our cyber school community feel connected to one another, which is why we offer a variety of opportunities for socializing at the beginning of the school year to set the stage.

Want to learn more about back to school, our field trips, and our plans to start the year off right? Below, we’ve provided a few details!

The Adventure Club Holds Its First Field Trip of the Year

On Thursday, September 14th, the Adventure Club held its first field trip of the year and went on a hike to Mount Minsi at the Pennsylvania side of the Delaware Water Gap.

34 people came out to the field trip to Mount Minsi, which makes up part of the Appalachian Trail, and a fun time was had by all! The trip offered an excellent opportunity to enjoy time with friends, complete a fitness log, meet teachers, and enjoy the incredibly scenic views that Mount Minsi is known for.

If you missed out on the first Adventure Club field trip of the year, don’t fret! There will be others, as the club creates events all throughout the year to get students out and moving, involved in adventurous activities, and exploring interesting places that our region has to offer. Be sure to check Cyber School Announcements for information to receive updates when the club plans its next event!

The Annual Welcome Back Picnic Will Take Place on Thursday, September 28th!

One event that students, families, and staff look forward to each year is the annual Welcome Back Picnic. Hundreds of 21CCCS students along with their families come from all over the state of PA to spend a great day outdoors enjoying student activities, building tours, a picnic lunch, and a variety of Field Day games.

Attending the Welcome Back Picnic is always a fun time for students as it provides the opportunity to meet and spend time with other students in-person! It really is something to experience and is a highlight of the beginning of the school year!

This year, the Welcome Back Picnic will be held on Thursday, September 28th. Parents and students can learn more about the event on Moodle, and we are excited to see you all there!

Tune in for More Field Trips, Activities, and Interesting Events All Year Long!

As one of the best cyber schools in PA, we offer many ways for cyber students to get connected with other students and staff. This is because recognize just how important socializing is for the academic experience as they seek to build meaningful connections, make friends, and play a more active role in their school community.

At 21CCCS, there are various opportunities throughout the year to participate in events. What’s more is that these events are held in different areas across PA so that all students are able to participate if they choose. Community outreach nights, field trips, etc. are open to students, friends, and family, and allow students to get to know their peers and teachers better in-person!

If you are interested in incorporating social activities into your cyber school experience, look into our events, field trips, and clubs. Students can get more information on upcoming school events and RSVP here!

We are incredibly excited to welcome another school year at 21CCCS! As always, be sure to tune in to our blog for more information, updates, and insights from our staff!

Congratulations to 21st Century Cyber Charter School’s Class of 2023!

Posted on June 26, 2023June 26, 2023 by Matt Hillesland

On June 5th and 7th, 21s Century Cyber Charter School celebrated the class of 2023 with ceremonies in Murrysville and Westchester.

The ceremonies celebrated 218 June graduates and 26 21CCCS students who graduated in January. There were also great speeches from our principal, Dr. Monica Frank and several graduating seniors.

It was very exciting to see both the Murrysville and West Chester communities come together to honor and celebrate the success of our graduating seniors. Each student has shown such incredible dedication during their time at 21CCCS, and these ceremonies represented the culmination of all of their hard work.

Graduation Ceremony Speeches

The graduation ceremony was kickstarted and closed by our principals, Dr. Nora Wheeler and Dr. Monica Frank. In her remarks, Dr. Frank encouraged the Class of 2023 to reflect on the goals that they have reached up to this point in their academic careers as well as all of the people who made such a journey possible. Dr. Frank also took the time to include the words of wisdom, advice, and encouragement that the Class of 2023 had been asked to share earlier in the school year. A few examples were “Stay strong and keep going.”, “Take it one day at a time.”, and “Do the best with what you have.”.

The ceremonies also included speeches from several graduating 21CCCS students: Ava Lindsay, Ayishatu Hamid-Alhassan, Dalton Samuel, Jada Taylor, Jeremiah Shellhamer, Madison Doyle, Michael Iozzi, Sophia Dayan, and Sunshine Krill.

The student speeches included various words of wisdom, reflections on the challenges and triumphs of this academic year, and examples of experiences that allowed the audience to really understand each student’s unique perspective. 21CCCS would like to thank all of our student speakers for sharing what they have learned, and we know that all are destined for great things!

A Note from the CEO of 21CCCS, Dr. Matthew Flannery

CEO of 21CCS, Dr. Matthew Flannery, wanted to share a few words with the Class of 2023, acknowledging the tenacity of our students as they overcame challenges, stepped up to the plate, and fulfilled all of their required coursework to graduate.

Dr. Matthew Flannery: “I would like to congratulate the class of 2023 on the successful completion of their high school careers. I am so proud of these graduates. Not only did they deal with the normal requirements of being a high school student, they also showed grit and determination as they faced many pandemic-related challenges over the past several years.”

Congratulations to the Class of 2023!

The 21CCCS community truly cannot overstate how proud we are of the Class of 2023 and all that they were able to achieve within their high school careers. Despite challenges associated with spending a good portion of their high school experience in a pandemic, students were able to succeed in reaching important learning goals, building lifelong connections with each other and 21CCCS staff, and showing that they are more than capable of forging paths toward futures that make use of their many gifts.

From the entire 21CCCS community, we would like to say congratulations to the Class of 2023! We cannot wait to see what you are able to accomplish as you step into the adult world. With you all leading the way, we know that the future is in great hands!

March is National Honor Society Awareness Month!

Posted on March 15, 2023April 5, 2023 by Matt Hillesland

March is National Honor Society Awareness Month, and at 21st Century Cyber Charter School we are excited to have the opportunity to celebrate the organization as well as our students who have been honored with membership!

In recognition of National Honor Society Awareness Month, we wanted to keep our 21CCCS community updated not only on our recent NHS induction but the history of National Honor Society Awareness Month and the role it plays in honoring our scholars as well.

21CCCS Inducts NHS Scholars for the 2022-2023 School Year

This March, 21st Century Cyber Charter School has inducted 45 students into the National Honor and National Junior Honor Society for this academic year! Our induction ceremonies were held at both offices with our school also including a live stream so that students who could not attend in person could attend virtually.

Here at 21CCCS, we are incredibly proud of and excited for our NHS scholars. NHS represents some of the most important virtues of education, service, and leadership, and the future is truly in their hands.

More about NHS and the History of National Honor Society Awareness Month

While people are aware of the National Honor Society and its status as a prestigious organization that recognizes outstanding achieving high school students, many do not know just how long NHS has been at it.

Founded in 1921, the National Honor Society has stood out as the nation’s premiere organization to recognize high school students who have shown excellence on the path of excellence 100 years. Over time, NHS has expanded to include chapters in all 50 states, DC, Puerto Rico and other US territories, and Canada.

Students accepted into the prestigious organization have maintained a cumulative GPA of at least a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale and have filled various requirements in terms of leadership and community roles. The Pillars of Membership for students who wish to join NHS are scholarship, service, leadership, and character, with only students who display a commitment to all four being eligible for NHS acceptance.

National Honor Society Awareness Month began with the mission of celebrating our NHS scholars, their successes, and the continuous commitment that they display to excellence in education and leadership settings. to academic excellence. Being inducted into NHS and maintaining membership over the course of one’s high school career are huge accomplishments, and it is important that we recognize all that our scholars are doing as the next generation of leaders.

Celebrating National Honor Society Awareness Month

One of the best things about National Honor Society Awareness month is that there are many different ways to celebrate! Supporting students’ academic pursuits, doing some academic research in the spirit of NHS Awareness Month, and joining in on the conversation online are just a few of the most common ways to do so.

21CCCS recognizes the accomplishments of our NHS scholars as they lend helping hands to our community and continue on their path. Congratulations on your achievements and have a great NHS Awareness Month!

Expand your horizons

Posted on November 12, 2013October 27, 2015 by Ben Ozgur

Your time in high school is critical. Part of your job as a student, beyond your school work, is to explore and learn as much as you can, about yourself. Doing well in your classes is only one piece of the larger educational puzzle. You can try new things and learn from incredible experiences outside of school as well. Read below to learn about some opportunities that may interest you!

1.) Discover the World of Communication: Students can journey to American University for a summer program in 2014. This program will help students to build a digital portfolio using lessons in television, radio, studio production, and more. CLICK HERE for more details.

2.) Multimedia Journalism Camp: Students can travel to Penn State for a few days in July of 2013. No experience is needed. Students will have an opportunity to be exposed to the world of journalism. This includes story writing, reporting, discovery of information, and research. CLICK HERE for more details.

3.) Summer at Georgetown: Students can participate in a summer law program. They will learn about interesting topics, including: punishment for minors vs. adults, victim rights vs. prisoner rights, arrests and sentencing, and the peer jury system. Workshop is offered in July. For more details CLICK HERE.

4.) Harvard Extension School: Students in high school, and those who are home-schooled, have the opportunity to enroll in courses to earn credit at Harvard’s Extension School. Scholarships are available (with some restrictions) and online study is an option. CLICK HERE to learn more.

5.) Abbey Road Programs: This website will give you a chance to consider and learn more about residential study abroad programs, home-stay immersion programs, and more. Take a look to see if any of these might work for you! CLICK HERE for more details.

Socialization in Cyber School? No Way! Well, Guess Again!

Posted on October 30, 2013 by Ben Ozgur

“You don’t socialize in cyber school. How can you? It’s just you and your computer all day!”

Does this sound familiar to you? If so, you’ve most likely found yourself on the defense, explaining to friends and family that your beloved cyber school choice does involve a community and social learning experience. At 21CCCS, one of the most frequently asked questions our enrollment team fields from prospective families is, “What opportunities are available for my child to socialize?” We explain that it is true that 21CCCS provides an asynchronous, cyber learning environment, which means we do not require students to log into classes at any specific time of day. However, our students come together for lots of things! We’ve developed many ways to offer social outlets for our students. Let me share a few.

1.) Community Outreach Events

These events are held throughout Pennsylvania on a weekly basis and are attended by our teachers, students, family members, and friends. Students are often given a chance to work on schoolwork and tutoring for the first half of the evening. Then, they are given time to play games, meet with their friends, and get to know their teachers. Next month we have cooking class on the calendar. Don’t miss it! The schedule for these events is posted weekly in Moodle and if you have any questions, ask Ms. Hoyt, Mr. Kinsch or your learning coach.

2.) Field Trips

Our field trips are most often educationally minded opportunities for students to come together and share a common learning experience. Ms. Elder and Mr. Chu work to schedule and organize the trips on a monthly basis. In the past we have ventured to Philadelphia, Gettysburg, and the Carnegie Center. Smaller scale field trips have been scheduled to welcome students back to school, or to celebrate the end of the year! If you have ideas for new field trips, let us know! We are happy to explore and schedule new visits.

3.) Clubs

21CCCS offers a variety of cyber clubs each year. We change them when needed, depending upon the interest and needs of our students. In the past, we’ve had a Literary Magazine, Radio-Drama Production, Chess Team, Debate Team and Photography Club. Be sure to ask your learning coach about club opportunities, and if one doesn’t exist that fits an interest, we will work with you to create it.

4.) Live Class and the the Virtual Office

Live class and the virtual office are a great way to reinforce learning materials. But, they are also a great way to get to know teachers and classmates and where most daily socialization happens at 21CCCS. Through one click on the computer, our cyber community is transported to a virtual room full of fellow teachers and classmates, and the learning and discussion opportunities are endless.

The power to get involved and socialize lies within each one of our students at 21CCCS. We believe that socialization in our cyber school is thriving, growing and most certainly possible!

Mental Illness Awareness Week!

Posted on October 7, 2013October 27, 2015 by Ben Ozgur

October 6-12 is Mental Illness Awareness Week- I encourage each of you at some point this week to do a little investigative research to educate yourself about this condition. Most of us have assumptions or stigmas in our minds about those affected by mental illness, but in reality, 1 in 4 American’s live with mental illness om a given year. Moreover, there are a great deal of students that we serve who are affected by one or more than one illness. These may include:

Anxiety Disorders
Autism Spectrum Disorders
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADD/ADHD)
Bipolar Disorder
Borderline Personality Disorder
Depression
Dissociative Disorders
Dual Diagnosis: Substance Abuse and Mental Illness
Eating Disorders

There are many ways to educate yourself and become better versed in the characteristics and behaviors of mental illness. Again, I encourage you to become more aware of these so we can end the negative stigmas our society has attached to individuals living with a MI.

What Can You Do? You might:
Read a book:

The Center Cannot Hold by Elyn Saks
Crazy by Pete Earley
Divided Minds by Pamela Spiro Wagner and Carolyn S. Spiro, M.D.
The Soloist by Steve Lopez

Watch a movie (and read a fact sheet about the mental illness that’s part of the plot):

A Beautiful Mind
Canvas
Silver Lining Playbook
The Soloist

Visit these sites:

www.nami.org
http://www.bringchange2mind.org/

If you would like to talk about these or other concerns, call us today! We are a resource for you!

Information in this blog post was brought to you by Ms. Erin Kline, Special Education Coordinator.

Fall Fun Ideas!

Posted on October 2, 2013October 27, 2015 by Ben Ozgur

While we are experiencing a sort of Indian Summer at the moment, cooler weather is sure to follow. I love this time of year. Everyone is outside, enjoying the sunshine and taking breaks from back-to-school tasks whenever possible.

Don’t miss out on this great season! Here are some great family ideas to consider this fall.

1.) Pumpkin Picking

Pumpkins, pumpkins everywhere! I’ve seen them all over the place (including outside my grocery store) ever since the middle of September. Pumpkin picking is easy to find on a farm near you! Bring your family, bring your van, and haul home some pumpkins. You can turn them into jack-o-lanterns, pies, soups, and other delights. For information about pumpkin carving competitions, consider The Great Pumpkin Carve, hosted by the Chadds Ford Historical Society each year. You won’t believe what some people can craft with a pumpkin!

2.) Start a Flag Football Team

It’s a great idea to keep healthy. Physical activity is very important and one of the best ways to keep healthy. What better way to get your physical activity in than football? Fall makes everyone think of football, and while having your own fantasy team is cool, starting your own team is even better! Gather your friends, be sure you understand the rules, and hop to it! Go team!

3.) Sample the Local Cider

Farms are busy harvesting apples this time of year. That means lots of apple cider is being made! Ciders are different all over the state. Some farms go so far as to sell pasteurized versus unpasteurized versions of their cider. Sample the goods and contribute to the livelihood of local farmers near you! If you live near Chester Country, consider a trip to Barnard’s Orchard in Kennett Square, PA.

4.) Find a Corn Maze

There are a ton of corn mazes throughout the farms of PA. There is bound to be one in your area. Consider this 5 acres maze at Cherry Crest Adventure Farm in Lancaster, PA. Farm fun activities are available on the property for all ages. Get lost in the fun of fall!

5.) Visit a Haunted House

Philadelphia is home to the Eastern State Penitentiary. Every year, this prison-turned-museum launches its Halloween themed haunted attraction, Terror Behind the Walls. For $13-39 (dependent upon the night of your reservation) guests can tour the cell blocks of this institution.

What do YOU like to do in the fall? Share with us! We want to know! Tell us on Facebook or Twitter!

Very Cool Event This Weekend!

Posted on September 26, 2013 by Ben Ozgur

For more information, CLICK HERE and access the web page directly.

A Visit from Senator Folmer!

Posted on September 19, 2013October 27, 2015 by Ben Ozgur

21CCCS was fortunate to host the Senate Education Committee Chairman, Senator Mike Folmer, this past Tuesday. These meetings are usually opportunities for small schools like ours to show our local legislators what we are all about. Charter schools and the School Choice Movement have gotten a lot of attention in recent years. For the coming year, we are anticipating charter school funding reform, further discussion of the Common Core, and Keystone Exams, and more. With so much happening across the legislative landscape, we wanted to contribute to the discussion.

We shared with Senator Folmer how our individualized instructional model works here at 21CCCS. We spoke to our students’ needs and how we accommodate them. We shared how proud we are to teach such a diverse student body, and how cyber education has given many students the learning model they need to succeed. The senator observed some of our teachers and had an opportunity to speak with Mrs. Vice, Mr. Kinsch, and Ms. Ball. He asked about how successful our students are and how our school’s model contributes toward learning and academic success.

We had a great visit!

If you would like to help inform your own legislators about some of the benefits of cyber charter schooling, you can do this, too! Write letters, send emails, and follow these individuals on social media. Your opinions and thoughts matter! Your voice makes a difference and can help frame the discussions occurring in our Capitol. Learn more here:http://www.pasenategop.com/committees/education.htm

Volunteering Around Pennsylvania!

Posted on September 10, 2013 by Ben Ozgur

Students learn a lot when they have an opportunity to use their skills, patience, and humility to give something back to the community. Here at 21CCCS, we encourage student curiosity and devotion to helping others. Here are some great resources that can help you to reach out and help organizations and causes in a town or city near you! Hey, go ahead and invite your friends and family members to participate with you! You’ll be surprised what you can accomplish with a little motivation to do good.

1.) www.Idealist.org: This site lists jobs and internships, but it also offers lists upon lists of volunteer opportunities. This site is easy to use, search-friendly, and a huge resource for anyone interested in getting involved!

2.) www.Volunteermatch.org: This site lets you search for volunteer opportunities that fall into categories such as “Advocacy and Human Rights,” “Animals,” “Arts and Culture,” or “Board Development.” This will help you to pinpoint the kinds of opportunities you’re searching for.

3.) www.Volunteerlv.org: This site will show volunteer agency postings for opportunities within the Delaware Valley. If you know you have some free time coming up in your life, you can even search for opportunities by date! This is a great way to get started with some smaller scale projects.

4.) http://www.Nature.org: This site provides information about The Nature Conservancy, which operates to protect and preserve nature. In Pennsylvania, it serves to protect a wide array of preserves across the Northwest, Central, and Southwest regions of the state. For more details on volunteering, take a look at their link for volunteering, which is called “Give Back to Nature.”

5.) http://Pspca.org/volunteer: If animals are your thing, this is a great resource for you. Animals need your help all over the state, and this does not have to mean only adopting or fostering animals. There are needs for office assistants, photographers, special events assistants, and more. Check out this site if your heart melts for animals! You can make a difference today!

Please tell us about your experiences! If you are volunteering already, or if these sites help you to find opportunities, we want to hear all about it! Email kely@21cccs.org with details and/or pics!