Preparing for Hurricane Helene: Citrus County Schools Open as Shelters

Schools Serving as Shelters and Staff Working Tirelessly to Protect Our Community Ahead of hurricane

As Hurricane Helene approaches, our Citrus County School System is responding with remarkable efficiency and dedication. Several schools have been designated as evacuation shelters, and our facility and administrative teams have been working tirelessly to ensure the safety and comfort of our community during this critical time.

Our Crystal River High School, Crystal River Middle School, Crystal River Primary School, and Homosassa Elementary School—located west of Highway 19—have been preparing all day for the potential storm surge. These schools are positioned in vulnerable areas, and we are grateful to our dedicated staff for their efforts to better prepare these schools for the storm ahead.

In addition to these schools, we have two other critical facilities west of Highway 19—the Academy of Environmental Science and the Marine Science Station. Ernie Hopper and his team at the Academy of Environmental Science have been diligently preparing for the storm’s impact. Meanwhile, the Marine Science Station team, led by Supervisor Earnie Olsen, alongside Bryan Brooks, Sheryl Janecek, Tonya Capp Briggs, and Josh O’Leary, has been working hard to ensure the facility is secure. While this team is no stranger to hurricane preparation, Hurricane Helene presents a particularly concerning challenge, given the potential for significant storm surge and flooding.

Four of our other schools in the district have officially opened as evacuation shelters, and they are being staffed around the clock by members of our school administrative teams, food service workers, and other school personnel, all in coordination with the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office and County Government. These shelters are essential for ensuring that residents have a safe place to stay during the storm. Our Director of Food Services, Roy Pistone, and his team have been working tirelessly to ensure that each shelter is fully stocked with food and supplies to meet the needs of both evacuees and staff.

As our facility teams transform these schools into shelters, they have shown extraordinary resilience and commitment. Once the storm passes, they will begin the difficult process of reversing the conversion, cleaning the shelters, and preparing the schools to reopen for normal operations. This process requires a great deal of coordination, but our teams have proven time and again that they are up to the task.

Our school system is more than just a place of learning—it’s a pillar of strength in times of crisis. Our community is strong, and we will face the storm together, united in our resolve to protect each other and our homes. We ask for prayers for our community, our leaders, and our state as Hurricane Helene draws nearer. Together, we will weather this storm, and in its aftermath, we will rebuild and restore.

In preparation for the storm, we want to remind residents that the following shelters are open now as of Wednesday, September 25, at 2 PM:

General Population Shelters:

• Citrus High School (cafeteria): 600 West Highland Blvd, Inverness, Florida 34452
• Central Ridge Elementary School: 185 West Citrus Springs Blvd, Citrus Springs, Florida 34434

Special Needs Shelters:

• Forest Ridge Elementary School: 2927 N Forest Ridge Blvd, Hernando, FL 34442

Pet-Friendly Shelters:

• Renaissance Center: 3630 West Educational Path, Lecanto, Florida 34461

For further assistance, please contact the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) Citizen Information Line at 352-249-2775, open from Wednesday, September 25, 8 AM-10 PM. They will reopen on Thursday, September 26, at 8 AM and remain open until 4 PM.

We are incredibly grateful to all the staff and volunteers who have worked around the clock to prepare our schools, shelters, and resources in anticipation of this storm. God bless our Citrus County, and stay safe as we navigate this challenge together.

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A Major Investment in Our Future: HCA Healthcare Foundation’s $60,000 Grant to Crystal River High School Academy of Health Careers

The HCA Healthcare Foundation has announced a significant $60,000 grant to the Crystal River High School (CRHS) Academy of Health Careers, marking a pivotal investment in the future of healthcare education in Citrus County. This grant, provided through the Healthier Tomorrow Fund, will be distributed over three years at $20,000 annually. It aims to enhance the existing Academy program, which has been a cornerstone of health career training in the district. The funding will support expanded training opportunities for instructors, cover certification costs for students, and introduce new certifications, ensuring that the Academy continues to meet the evolving needs of the healthcare workforce.

This grant is not only an investment in education but also a direct contribution to the well-being and health of our community. The CRHS Academy of Health Careers, which is the oldest magnet program within Citrus County Schools, has proudly served students for nearly 30 years. During this time, it has developed a stellar reputation as arguably the most successful high school Career Technical Education program in the district, and perhaps even in the region. The Academy’s contributions to the workforce over the years are undeniable, having produced thousands of nurses, doctors, first responders, engineers, military leaders, and other health professionals who now serve both locally and beyond.

The HCA Healthcare Foundation’s grant will help expand several of the Academy’s pathways, which include Certified Nursing Assistant, BioMedical Technician, Dental Assistant, EMS/EMT, and Veterinary Assistant tracks. These pathways not only provide students with valuable hands-on experience but also offer certifications that are vital for entering the healthcare workforce upon graduation. The funds will be used to cover the costs of these certifications, ensuring that financial barriers do not prevent our students from achieving their goals.

Moreover, the grant will fund additional training for our instructors and introduce new certifications to the Academy, ensuring that the curriculum remains cutting-edge and aligned with the healthcare industry’s evolving needs. These advancements are critical, especially considering the Florida Chamber Foundation’s Workforce Needs Study, which estimates a shortage of approximately 463,000 healthcare workers by the end of 2024. By enhancing the educational offerings at the Academy, we are not only preparing students for these in-demand jobs but also helping to alleviate the strain on the healthcare system by cultivating a pipeline of skilled professionals.

The CRHS Academy of Health Careers stands as a model of success for our district and our community. Programs like these are a beacon of hope for our students, offering them pathways to rewarding and impactful careers. Many of the Academy’s graduates have gone on to work right here in Citrus County, ensuring that our healthcare system is staffed by well-trained professionals who have a deep connection to the community they serve.

This grant would not have been possible without the partnership between HCA Florida Citrus Hospital and the Citrus County Education Foundation. I would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Lisa Nummi, CEO of HCA Florida Citrus Hospital, for recognizing the importance of this Academy and committing to its continued growth. As Lisa so eloquently put it, “By investing in the Crystal River High School Academy of Health Careers, we are not only supporting local education but also cultivating a pipeline of skilled professionals who will contribute to the future of healthcare.”

I encourage everyone in our great community to celebrate this moment and recognize the profound impact that this investment will have on the future of healthcare in Citrus County. The CRHS Academy of Health Careers is not just a school program—it’s a lifeline to our community’s future health and prosperity. We are incredibly fortunate to have HCA Healthcare as a partner in this effort, and I look forward to seeing the positive outcomes that will undoubtedly arise from this significant contribution.

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Patriot Day 9/11 Remembered: A Day of Reflection and Learning

Each year on September 11th, we gather as a nation to remember the tragic events of 2001. Known as Patriot Day, this solemn day marks an opportunity for reflection, education, and honoring the heroes who risked everything to save lives. In our schools, it is not only a day of remembrance but a teachable moment—a time to engage students in understanding what happened that day, why we honor the victims, and the critical role of first responders.

In our district, Al Balk, Supervisor of Instructional Materials, has ensured that 9/11 is remembered with the respect and significance it deserves. A moment of silence was observed in every school this morning, uniting students and staff in reflection. This moment is more than just a pause in the day; it’s a time for teachers to answer questions and guide discussions about the history of 9/11 in an age-appropriate manner. Through these conversations, students learn not only about the tragic events but also about the importance of courage, unity, and resilience.

Again this year, all three high schools are sending their social studies classes to the 9/11 Exhibit at the Valerie Theater. This local exhibit provides students with a unique opportunity to view artifacts from that day, thanks in large part to the efforts of School Board Member, the Honorable Joe Faherty. His dedication in traveling to New York to obtain and preserve these pieces of history for our community cannot be overstated. These artifacts allow students to engage with history firsthand, deepening their understanding of the impact 9/11 had on individuals, communities, and the world.

Additionally, this event ties into the 9/11 Hero Day statutes that we are required to teach in government classes. It is not only an obligation but a privilege to educate our youth about the bravery and selflessness exhibited on that day by first responders—police officers, firefighters, EMTs, and countless civilians. By lifting up these heroes, we instill in our students the values of service, sacrifice, and resilience that are so vital to our national identity.

As we pause to remember the lives lost and honor those who continue to serve, let us offer our deepest thanks to our first responders. May we continue to teach future generations about the significance of this day and the bravery that emerged from such darkness. God bless our heroes, our schools, and our great country.

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