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Citrus HS students at State Capital

Posted on March 8th, 2023 by

Citrus HS students at State Capital

Today, the Citrus County Superintendent Council Students from all three high schools had the unique opportunity to visit our State’s Capital during the legislative session. They spent time learning about the legislative process and meeting with state legislators, including our Florida House of Representative Ralph Massullo, M.D. and Florida Senator Blaise Ingoglia.

The students were thrilled to have the chance to meet with legislators and gain firsthand knowledge of the legislative process. During their visit, they were impressed by the level of knowledge and dedication displayed by the legislators. One of the students even remarked, “I didn’t know Senators were that cool.”

This valuable educational experience was made possible by the efforts of our school district educators who chaperoned the event, the Citrus County Education Foundation for sponsoring the trip, and Gene McGee of Sunrise Consulting Group for putting together such a special day.

The students’ visit to the State Capital was especially memorable when Representative Massullo recognized them during a committee meeting and referred to them and Citrus County as some of the best students and schools in Florida. This recognition was a testament to the hard work and dedication of both the students and their educators.

It is truly remarkable to see how this experience has inspired our students and given them a newfound appreciation for the legislative process. We hope that they continue to pursue their passions and become active citizens in our community.

We are incredibly proud of our students and grateful for the opportunities provided by our school district and community partners. This experience highlights the importance of providing unique educational experiences that inspire and motivate our students to become active and engaged citizens.

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2023 4-H Public Speaking Contest

Posted on March 7th, 2023 by

2023 4-H Public Speaking Contest

I had the pleasure of attending the Citrus County Regional 4-H Public Speaking Contest for elementary 4th and 5th grade students, and it was truly inspiring to see these young students showcase their public speaking skills. The event was hosted by the UF/IFAS Extension Citrus County office, and featured 26 students from 13 public and private schools, each of whom had finished in the top two in speech contests at their respective schools.

Public speaking is an essential skill that is often overlooked, but it is a vital skill that students need to learn. It not only helps students to articulate their thoughts and ideas clearly, but it also helps them to build confidence and develop their communication skills. Giving students opportunities to practice public speaking at a young age can help them to develop this skill and give them a head start in their personal and professional lives.

The speeches delivered by these elementary students were truly impressive. Each student had chosen a topic that was important to them and had put a lot of effort into preparing their speech. The topics ranged from personal stories to science and technology, and the students’ enthusiasm for their chosen topics was evident in their delivery.

Some of the speeches topics included “The Kid Who Does It All” by Karson Roddenberry from Rock Crusher Elementary, where he talked about his many talents and how he balances them all; “Under the Sea” by Audriena Sapp from Seven Rivers Christian School, where she discussed the importance of preserving the ocean’s ecosystem; and “Medical Advancements” by Nikhil Pasupuleti from Forest Ridge Elementary, where he talked about some of the latest medical breakthroughs.

I would like to extend my sincere thanks to the judges Jennifer Jordan, Deb Reilly, and George Schmalstig for their time and dedication to this event. Their expertise and feedback were invaluable to the students and helped to make the event a success. I would also like to thank Citrus County Schools, Megan Furniss and Benjamin Davis at the District Office, Sheila James at Seven Rivers, Liz Lazars at Saint John Paull II, the teachers, parents, and contest participants for making this event possible.

Finally, a special thanks to the Citrus County 4-H Foundation and Crystal River Rotary for their generous support in supplying materials and awards for this program. It is because of organizations like these that students have the opportunity to participate in events like this and develop important skills for their future success.

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CSMS Student Breakfast

Posted on March 4th, 2023 by

CSMS Student Breakfast

On Friday morning, the Chief Academic Officer, Dr. Scott Hebert, and I had the privilege of starting the day at Citrus Springs Middle School in Ms. Lisa Brault’s ESE classroom as her students helped prepare breakfast and served it to classroom guests. Each Friday, Ms. Brault uses this activity as a real-world opportunity to have students build personal and academic skills.

The breakfast was delicious, and the students made the time very special. We also had a chance to have the students share about the different learning lessons. Additionally, we visited Ms. Brault’s new sensory room, which was made possible by a grant from Citrus County Education Foundation.

I want to thank Ms. Brault for using innovative learning to meet individual students’ academic needs. I also want to give a special thanks to the paraprofessionals whose work is vital in these students’ progress. I cannot wait to stop back and visit.

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Nature Coast Investment Practicum Students tour Raymond James HQ

Posted on February 23rd, 2023 by

Nature Coast Investment Practicum Students tour Raymond James HQ

It was an exciting day for the students of Citrus High School’s Nature Coast Investment Practicum (NCIP) class as they, along with their teacher Ms. Paige Zollo, toured the Raymond James international headquarters in St. Petersburg, Florida. The tour, which was made possible by the efforts of Amy Barbieri of Raymond James Crystal River office, was a great opportunity for the students to learn about the company’s operations and gain valuable insights into the financial industry.

Raymond James is an American multinational investment bank and financial services company that provides financial services to individuals, corporations, and municipalities. The company’s reputation for excellence in the financial industry is well-known, and the NCIP students were thrilled to visit the Raymond James headquarters and witness the inner workings of a major financial services company.

During the tour, the students got to see firsthand the company’s trading floor and observe the brokers and traders as they conducted transactions. They were also given a behind-the-scenes look at the company’s cyber threat center and learned about the measures taken to protect the sensitive financial data of their clients. The students even got a chance to share with some of the Raymond James presenters about some of the stocks they have researched and purchased as part of the NCIP.

The Nature Coast Investment Practicum project, in partnership with the Citrus County Education Foundation and Citrus High School, provides students with real-world financial experience. In addition to learning about investing and managing an equity portfolio fund, the students also learn about double-entry accounting, methods and principles of recording business transactions, the preparation of various financial documents, and the preparation of financial statements. The NCIP program also helps students develop important skills such as teamwork, public speaking, and writing.

We are looking to expand the NCIP in the near future to include Crystal River High School. So stay tuned!

The visit to Raymond James was made possible by the efforts of Amy Barbieri. Big thanks to Paige Zollo, Shaunda Burdette, Scott Lee, the Raymond James team, and of course the Citrus County Education Foundation. Their support of this great initiative provided the students with an opportunity to apply the knowledge they’ve learned in the NCIP program in a real-world setting.

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First Library Reading at CRE

Posted on February 22nd, 2023 by

First Library Reading at CRE

The students thoroughly enjoyed this funny and entertaining tale, and their laughter and giggles filled the room.

I had the privilege of reading “The Night before Kindergarten Graduation” to the students in Ms. Leslie Wade’s Kindergarten class at Central Ridge Elementary School. Today’s reading was part of the Citrus County Education Foundation‘s First Library program, which is a wonderful initiative that provides each Pre-K and Kindergarten student in Citrus County Schools with a set of four books to take home and start building their own personal library.

The students were so engaged and attentive throughout the reading, and it was delightful to see their excitement and enthusiasm as we turned the pages of the book. They asked thoughtful questions and made insightful observations about the illustrations, which was a clear indication of their eagerness to learn.

After we finished reading “The Night before Kindergarten Graduation”, I had the pleasure of reading another favorite story of mine, “Coco and Cavendish: Circus Dogs“. The students thoroughly enjoyed this funny and entertaining tale, and their laughter and giggles filled the room.

I would like to express my gratitude to Debbie Reilly, a CCEF Board member, who coordinates all the activities of the First Library program and ensures that every classroom has access to the books. Her dedication and hard work are truly commendable, and the positive impact that she is making on the lives of these young learners is remarkable.

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Being Successful in Nursing School Podcast​

Posted on February 15th, 2023 by

Being Successful in Nursing School Podcast​

…challenges facing nursing education and the nursing profession parallel what we are seeing in Career and Technical Education and workforce education

I am excited to share with you a recent podcast interview that I found very insightful. In the podcast “How To Be Successful Through Nursing School“, Kimberly Dunker, a fourth-generation nurse who has earned her  Doctor of Nursing Practice, CNE, CNECL and Dean of Nursing at Pacific Union College, shares her thoughts on the nature of today’s nursing education, how it has been affected by the pandemic, and the impact the pandemic has had on the nursing workforce. I am particularly proud of Kimberly’s accomplishments and dedication to the nursing profession, especially since she also happens to be my niece.

Kimberly’s expertise in nursing education and her experience in the field provide valuable insights into the current state of nursing education. Her comments on the challenges facing nursing education and the nursing profession parallel what we are seeing in Career and Technical Education and workforce education in many other industries. As technology and industry evolve, there is a need to provide education that is relevant to current and future job market needs. This requires collaboration between educational institutions, industry leaders, and policymakers to provide students with the necessary skills and knowledge for successful careers.

During the podcast, Kimberly speaks about how the COVID-19 pandemic has brought many changes to the nursing education landscape. She shares how instructors and students have had to adapt to new online and hybrid models of learning and explains about the benefits and challenges that have resulted from those models.

Kimberly’s work in nursing education is a testament to the importance of collaboration between educational institutions, industry leaders, and policymakers, and the impact it can have on the nursing profession. I highly recommend listening to the podcast which can be accessed on Spotify at https://open.spotify.com/episode/59KFtfTvsHuKUHdv54eEwE or on Apple Podcast at https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/nursedot-podcast/id1653164865?i=1000599009959. Her insights provide valuable perspectives on the challenges facing nursing education and the nursing profession today.

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