Posted on June 14th, 2022 by
Thomas E Kennedy
CSMS School Improvement Planning
This morning I am at Citrus Springs Middle School for the School Advisory Council (SAC) School Improvement Planning. I so believe in these important opportunities when all these stakeholders sit down and work together to develop the schools’ improvement plan to meet the needs of students and families. At these plannings, very open and candid conversations are taking place. These stakeholders care about each and every student. These planning meetings are happening at every school. Our SACs are comprised of parents, teachers, staff, administrators, community members, and students. Thank you to all the SAC members and school teams that participate in these important plannings.
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Filed under: Blog Posts, News & Updates
Posted on June 14th, 2022 by
Thomas E Kennedy
Happy Flag Day America!
“God bless our flag and the great men and women that have and continue to defend it!”
On June 14, 1777, the Second Continental Congress took a break from writing the Articles of Confederation and passed a resolution stating that “the flag of the United States be 13 stripes, alternate red and white,” and that “the union be 13 stars, white in a blue field, representing a new constellation.”
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Posted on June 7th, 2022 by
Thomas E Kennedy
CHRONICLE: New NASA project to bring Kennedy Space Center to schools
Thank you to Education Reporter Georgia Sullivan and the Citrus County Chronicle for covering this initiative. Read the story at https://www.chronicleonline.com/news/education/new-nasa-project-to-bring-kennedy-space-center-to-schools/article_77dab226-1735-5b1f-b7f8-c7d3e30d9b69.html
I am so excited about this Mission One STEAM initiative and the opportunities that will follow for all of Florida’s students, especially ours here in Citrus County. The initiative’s access to NASA and the Astronauts Memorial Foundation Educational Center will provide extraordinary opportunities for students and teachers. One of the many things I love about the approach of this program is that it looks to interconnect STEM with Career and Technical/workforce education. Many industries, including the aerospace industries, have long recognized the importance of having team members who are knowledgeable technicians who come from all educational paths including technical certification institutions, programs, and our Armed Forces. Citrus County Schools is proud of its role in helping produce some of these experts including former Citrus Schools Alumni Dr. Eric Stewart Aerospace Engineer at NASA. It is my hope that this new program will further expand the desire for more engineers, technicians, and scientists from Citrus County.
A special thank you to Matt Susin, Brevard County School Board for his work launching this project.
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Filed under: Blog Posts, News & Updates
Posted on May 25th, 2022 by
Thomas E Kennedy
Summer Youth Activities and Camps 2022
Looking for summer activities or camps for kids this summer? Here are some that have been shared. Check them out!
(Updated 5/25/2022)
Please note that sharing these opportunities does not constitute any endorsement implied or otherwise. Please research individually whether these are best for your families and children.
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Filed under: Blog Posts
Posted on May 3rd, 2022 by
Thomas E Kennedy
Teen Heart screenings again offered by Who We Play For
Dates available at CRHS, CHS and LHS
Heart screenings are again being offered at our three high schools by Who We Play For (WWPF), a not-for-profit out of Melbourne, Florida who provides efficient and non-invasive heart screenings to communities across the country. WWPF’s mission is to eliminate preventable sudden cardiac death in the young through affordable heart screenings. Citrus County School is again opening up our schools to WWPF who will be offering the screenings from 5-8 p.m. Tuesday, May 10, at Crystal River High School; from 5-8 p.m. Wednesday, May 11, at Citrus High School and from 4-8 p.m. Thursday, May 12, at Lecanto High School. Screenings are available at a reduced cost of $20.
To register and pay online visit https://www.whoweplayfor.org/heart-screening-registration-other-screenings and then choose which school location you will be going to.
For more information on the screenings and Who We Play For, visit their website at www.whoweplayfor.org
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Posted on May 2nd, 2022 by
Thomas E Kennedy
Veterans in the Classroom Appreciation Luncheon
One of the special programs we have in Citrus County Schools is our Veterans in the Classroom. This program is 29 years old and has impacted nearly 100,000 students during that time. The program brings U.S. States former Military Servicemen and women to speak to students in our school’s classrooms. This is one of the largest programs like it (per capita) in the nation.
This year over 4,000 students in all our elementary, middle, and high schools had one of the 53 Veterans from the program speak to the students about their military service. They share about the work they did in the military, how it helped contribute to becoming the person they are, and the love of our great country. The students of all ages are so fascinated by the stories and information these amazing Veterans talk about.
During today’s Appreciation luncheon hosted by the Citrus County School District, the Veterans receive a lunch prepared by the Withlacoochee Technical College Culinary students, the Citrus High School (CHS) AJROTC Honor Guard presented “The Colors”, and the CHS Chorale and students from Pleasant Grove Elementary provided some wonderful entertainment. One of the most moving parts of the Appreciation event is one by one they go around the room and give each attending Veteran the opportunity to introduce themselves, tell about their military service and their experience teaching in the Veterans in the Classroom program. It is so moving. The message each of these men and women share about their life often bonds them as brothers and sisters in arms. It is also evident the love these men and women have for our country, the VIC program, and our students. Col. Curt Ebitz, U.S. Army (Retired) and Adjutant Officer and Historian for the Aaron A. Weaver Chapter 776 Military Order of the Purple Heart shared that he has been doing this since the beginning of the program (29 years).
God Bless each and every Veteran that gives of themselves to this great program. Thank you to Al Balk, District Instructional Specialist for Social Studies K-12 who coordinates the Veterans in the Classroom with the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA).
If you are a Veteran interested in becoming a participant in the next Veterans in the Classroom program, please contact Mr. Balk at 352-726-1931 ext. 2490 or balka@citrusschools.org or contact Citrus County MOAA – https://moaafl.org/chapters/citruscounty/.
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Filed under: Blog Posts
This morning I am at Citrus Springs Middle School for the School Advisory Council (SAC) School Improvement Planning. I so believe in these important opportunities when all these stakeholders sit down and work together to develop the schools’ improvement plan to meet the needs of students and families. At these plannings, very open and candid conversations are taking place. These stakeholders care about each and every student. These planning meetings are happening at every school. Our SACs are comprised of parents, teachers, staff, administrators, community members, and students. Thank you to all the SAC members and school teams that participate in these important plannings.
