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Coastal Camp Citrus 2023 applications are now open!

Coastal Camp Citrus 2023 applications are now open!

Attention middle and high school families!

Coastal Camp Citrus 2023-day camp applications are now available at http://mss.citrusschools.org

Click on the Coastal Camp Citrus tab underneath the webpage banner and please carefully read all the information before contacting us for questions regarding this summer camp.

Deadline for completed applications is April 17, 2023.

Completed applications may be mailed or scanned & e-mailed to the Marine Science Station using the information on the first page of the application.

If you use inter-county mail, PLEASE make sure the envelope is labeled for the Marine Science Station (MSS).

Middle School and High School applications are attached within this email for distribution to interested students and parents via your various communication outlets.  Please assist us by reaching as many eligible Citrus County School District students and their families as possible by sharing this information.

We are grateful for the leadership within the Citrus County School District, from Superintendent Sam Himmel, and from the Citrus County School Board for allowing the Marine Science Station the privilege of offering Coastal Camp Citrus as an outstanding summer learning enrichment opportunity for our students.

We are appreciative for the financial support from our educational partners at the Southwest Florida Water Management District and the Kings Bay Rotary Club, as well as our many other past sponsors who help Citrus County students in financial need attend this camp.

As always, thank YOU for helping us get the word out to students and families about the Marine Science Station and our summer enrichment programs!

HS Students learn about hospital careers at Citrus Hospital

HS Students learn about hospital careers at Citrus Hospital

Today was an incredible day for 42 high school students from all three local high schools as they got a firsthand look at the exciting world of healthcare at Citrus Hospital! HCA Florida Healthcare, Citrus Hospital is committed to addressing the healthcare workforce shortage by providing early exposure, training, and economic opportunities to students. Many of these students are members of their school’s respective HOSA – Future Health Professionals clubs and Sriya Chandrupatla, a junior in Lecanto High School International Baccalaureate program and President of LHS HOSA was the brains behind this idea.

The students were given an in-depth, behind-the-scenes tour of the hospital, including the operating room, cardiac catheterization lab, emergency services, rehab, diagnostic imaging, and plant operations. But in addition to these traditional medical areas, the students also visited and learned about other essential departments, facilities services, and more. They had the opportunity to meet with the Bayflite helicopter and Medflight team on the helipad and learn about the critical role they play in providing medical transport services to the community. This was an unforgettable experience for the students as they got to see the equipment and learn about the work of the flight crew.

These hands-on learning experiences provided the students with a wealth of knowledge about the healthcare industry and helped them make informed decisions about their future careers. The chief executive officer of HCA Florida Citrus Hospital, Lisa NummI, is thrilled to see students getting exposed to the healthcare industry and inspiring them to pursue careers in the field and make a positive impact on our community. She hopes that the exposure will contribute to the development of a well-educated and highly-skilled healthcare workforce in our community.

As a school board member, I was thrilled to have the opportunity to attend and support this great opportunity for our students. It is our hope that the hands-on learning experiences provided today will help students make informed decisions about their future careers and contribute to the development of a well-educated and highly-skilled healthcare workforce in our community.

We would like to extend a special thanks to Shaunda Burdette and the Citrus County Education Foundation, Vandana Chandrupatla, CCSB Director of Secondary Schools Darrick Buetter, CCSB PIO Lindsay Blair, Citrus Hospital Communication Director Katie Myers, LHS, CHS and CRHS HOSA club sponsors, Citrus County Schools, Citrus Hospital CEO Lisa NummI and HCA Florida Healthcare Citrus Hospital for making this day happen. Without their support and dedication, this educational opportunity would not have been possible. We are so proud to provide these opportunities and can’t wait to see these students make a difference in the healthcare industry in the future. Thanks to Sriya Chandrupatla for her initiative that made this possible!

FRE Title 1 Night: Live, Laugh, Love, and Picnic!

FRE Title 1 Night: Live, Laugh, Love, and Picnic!

Tonight, Forest Ridge Elementary School held its annual Title 1 Literacy Night, with this year’s theme being “Live, Laugh, Love, and Picnic!” It was another great opportunity for our FRE community to come together and promote the importance of reading. The students and families were able to enjoy a fun and interactive evening that encouraged them to make reading a regular part of their lives.

The Forest Ridge Elementary School team did an amazing job putting together this event. From the engaging reading activities to the delicious picnic dinner, everything was perfect. The students were able to participate in fun reading challenges, listen to guest storytellers, and even take home a free book. The families had the opportunity to meet and talk with their child’s teacher and learn more about the school’s reading program.

We want to extend a big thank you to the Forest Ridge Elementary School team for all their hard work and dedication in making tonight’s event a success. It was a wonderful evening filled with laughter, learning, and love. We look forward to next year’s Title 1 Literacy Night and all the other opportunities for our community to come together and support reading.

FSBA leaders attend COSSBA Leadership seminar and training

FSBA leaders attend COSSBA Leadership seminar and training

As President of the Florida School Board Association (FSBA), I was grateful to have the opportunity to attend the Consortium of State School Boards Associations (COSSBA) Leadership seminar and training, alongside FSBA President-Elect Tina Certain and FSBA Executive Director Andrea Messina. The COSSBA Leadership Seminar is designed for school board members who serve on their state association’s board of directors, who are considered “leaders of leaders” in shaping the policies and direction of their state’s educational system. FSBA is a founding member of this new national nonpartisan consortium, which brings together state school boards associations to share ideas, best practices, and resources.

The seminar featured presentations from experts in the field, including Dr. Jim Johnson, a professor at UNC Chapel Hill, who discussed the demographic headwinds that have enormous implications for America’s future workforce, workplaces, and consumer markets. Another highlight was the presentation by Tim Weisheyer, a former FSBA President, who spoke about the importance of understanding one’s role and responsibilities as a leader. Andrea Messina, along with other Executive Directors, gave an excellent presentation on “Association Leadership Through the Power of Positive Governance” that discussed the role of governance and leadership in driving the success of state school boards associations.

The seminar also covered how to differentiate the work of local school boards and state school boards associations’ board of directors. Attendees learned how to encourage their boards to enhance the mission and vision of the association, build trust and communications with member districts, and foster the development of leadership necessary for the association to maintain the continuity of its work and the trust of its members.

The COSSBA Leadership was an important opportunity to understand the concerns and interests of our member school boards and to develop the leadership skills necessary to effectively represent them.

High School Internship Program in Integrated Mathematical Oncology (HIP IMO)

High School Internship Program in Integrated Mathematical Oncology (HIP IMO)

The High school student Internship Program in Integrated Mathematical Oncology (HIP IMO) is an exciting opportunity for high school students aged 16 or older to gain interdisciplinary research experience in the field of cancer research. The program, which takes place at the Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, Florida, is designed to prepare students for careers in cancer research and includes a mentored summer training program.”

HIP IMO applications are now being accepted summer 2023. The program will run June 5 – July 28, 2023. HIP IMO is an integrated mathematical oncology-centric internship program that delivers interdisciplinary team science research experiences for high school students ages 16 or older by the time of the internship. This mentored summer training program is designed for motivated aspiring scientists to help prepare them for interdisciplinary cancer research careers.

Working under the direction and guidance of faculty/scientist mentors in the Integrated Mathematical Oncology (IMO) department, interns are involved in activities designed to foster the development of life-long research skills. Students will be assigned individual research projects appropriate to their interests and abilities.

Details and application :  https://moffitt.org/hipimo

Applications are due by Feb. 1.

LifeSouth Integral Phlebotomy Internship Program

LifeSouth Integral Phlebotomy Internship Program

I was thrilled on Tuesday to attend LifeSouth Blood Center‘s annual internship program for senior high school students. This program is a great opportunity for students to gain valuable skills and experience in the field of healthcare. LifeSouth Blood Center is a non-profit organization that has been serving the community since 1978. They collect, process, and distribute blood and blood products to hospitals and patients in need. The training provided in the internship program will include both online and hands-on components, tailored to the students’ learning plans. The students will work alongside LifeSouth employees and learn the skills of phlebotomy, which is the process of collecting blood from donors.

The inaugural interns for the program are three students from Crystal River High School’s Academy of Health Careers: Samantha B. Lopez, Emily Ivory, and Sophia Monsalve. The program will involve 80 hours of training and work, with students completing 4-5 hours per week from January to May at LifeSouth locations.

Blood donation is a vital and life-saving act that helps ensure that there is an adequate blood supply for people in need. Blood products are used for a wide range of medical treatments, including surgeries, cancer treatments, and emergency situations. LifeSouth Blood Centers plays a crucial role in ensuring that there is a steady supply of blood available to meet the needs of patients in the community. This internship program is a great way for students to learn more about the importance of blood donation and to gain hands-on experience in the field of healthcare.