Posted on August 22nd, 2015 by
Thomas Kennedy
Week Two of 2015-2016 School Year
10 days down with 170 to go…
Summer is beginning to feel like a distant memory for teachers and students. Bus drivers are back to their very early mornings, readying the buses and doing their safety checks. The maintenance and custodians staffs are back to their school schedule after a hectic summer schedule preparing the schools for the New Year. Secretaries, attendance and bookkeepers are busy keeping up with their work. Administrators pray that our students and staff have a successful, safe and positive school year.
Much has begun over the last weeks. Athletes have watched their concussion video and have started practices. Musicians are marching or playing. iPads have been deployed at several schools. School work is now the routine for many.
The first two weeks of the 2015-2016 School Year in Citrus County are behind us, but the best parts of the school year are in front of us. Whether as a student, educator, or parent, make the most of the coming year. Let us value one another and be excited about learning. There are continued great possibilities still to reach. I feel so blessed we live in Citrus County.
Interested is seeing pictures from many of the beginning school year activities, visit the District’s Facebook Album pages at: https://www.facebook.com/CitrusCountySchoolDistrict/photos_stream?tab=photos_albums
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Filed under: News & Updates
Posted on August 15th, 2015 by
Thomas Kennedy
Environmental Jeopardy Competition of Local High Schools
Tuesday, Sept. 22, 6 p.m.
Local high schools compete in testing their environmental knowledge. Public invited. Event held at Citrus County Extension Office, 3650 Sovereign Path, Lecanto.
Call (352) 613-6850 for information. FREE.
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Filed under: News & Updates
Posted on August 15th, 2015 by
Thomas Kennedy
“The ancient African proverb teaches, ‘it takes a village’, as Chronicle’s Abdon Sidibe stories demonstrates that is the case in Citrus Schools. Thank you United Way of Citrus County & CEO Amy Meek, Citrus County YMCA & executive director Joanna Castle, and Citrus Schools Food Service Department and director Roy Pistone for working with our school district to better our kids.” ~ Thomas
Chronicle: In school district, prosperity amid contradiction
It appears Citrus County School District educators and students have taken to heart something Superintendent Sandra “Sam” Himmel has been saying for years: “A ZIP code should not define or limit the educational opportunities in Citrus County.”
In the past five years, the percentage of pupils on free and reduced-price lunches has steadily risen — but so has educational distinction for the small, poor and rural school district.
….Click here to read the rest of the story
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Posted on August 12th, 2015 by
Thomas Kennedy
CRHS featured in FSPMA Publication
The Florida School Plant Management Association (FSPMA) represents educational maintenance, custodial, grounds, safety and environmental staff and supervisors, and other facility related school professionals as well as related industry representatives in the State of Florida. Their purpose is improving school plant management, maintenance and care through the promotion of acceptable policies, standards and practices; and to promote the professional advancement of school plant management personnel.
Their Summer 2015 Publication featured Crystal River High School and its recent rebuilding and renovations. CRHS construction project has been an award winning project and we are proud to be featured in this fine Associations publication to showcase the success of all those involved in the development, design, construction and maintenance of the CRHS renovation project. Follow this link to read the entire CRHS section of the publication: https://thomastalks.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/FSPMA_3rd-Publication_vCitrus.pdf
I want to thank FSPMA President, John Colasanti for promoting CRHS and Citrus Schools. Mr. Colasanti also happens to be Citrus County Schools own Maintenance Department Coordinator.
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Posted on August 12th, 2015 by
Thomas Kennedy
Chronicle Agrees in Op-Ed: “Another state misstep in education tied to focus on high-stakes testing”
This Op-Ed does an outstanding job explaining the issue and challenges we face as a result of this law.
Thank you Citrus County Chronicle for again understanding the issues effecting public education.
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Filed under: News & Updates
Posted on August 11th, 2015 by
Thomas Kennedy
“I had the pleasure of being interviewed by the Chronicle’s Senior Reporter Mike Wright for one of their ‘Monday Conversation‘ pieces. I really appreciated this opportunity to share about education and our great schools and students. ~Thomas”
Chronicle’s Mike Wright Monday Conversation with Thomas Kennedy
“INVERNESS — It’s the first day of school and Thomas Kennedy is giddy.
While Kennedy’s own school days were challenging, he gets excited about the opening of another school year. The chairman of the Citrus County School Board is the father of two teenagers and husband to a middle-school teacher.
Kennedy, 46, grew up near Boston and attended private Christian schools. At a very young age he was diagnosed with dyslexia, though he also learned not to use it as a crutch. After school he attended college but struggled and veered toward performing arts.
Eventually he found his real interest was building and that led to a career in construction, which he held until his election to the school board six years ago.
Like many people in education, Kennedy’s school years and interaction with teachers had great impact that he carries to this day.”
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Filed under: News & Updates
