Graduation Calender 2012
Posted on May 7th, 2012 by Thomas Kennedy
Click here or on Graduation Calender to enlarge.
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Archive for News & Updates
Estuaries Program at Middle School
Posted on April 30th, 2012 by Thomas Kennedy
Estuaries Program at Middle School
Tuesday evening I got a message from Chuck Mulligan the Marine Science and Chemistry teacher at the Academy of Environmental Science, which is our only “public charter school” in Citrus County telling me that a group of his students from the Academy would be at Citrus Springs Middle School in the 7th grade science classrooms presenting lessons on Estuaries, and how they affect our waters. Last year I had the opportunity of spending the day with his Student-Teachers as they escorted middle schoolers on boats around Crystal River Bay so I was excited to see the students in the classroom. The class began with a multimedia presentation given by two AES Student-Teachers. The Student-Teachers talked about the local environment and explained how “we” each play a part in contributing positively or negatively to our environment and local clean water. Throughout the presentation the Student-Teachers would interact with the CSM students by asking questions relative to the lesson being taught, and providing information that was pertinent to the topics being discussed. These Student-Teachers clearly were not reciting a memorized lesson. They clearly understood and were well versed on what they were teaching, which is a credit to their own learning environment at AES. The Student-Teachers showed examples of Plankton and shared how the plankton has a positive effect on the estuaries. They also showed pictures of some plankton and shared both their scientific names as well as the “nick” names the AES students give them.
After the presentation, the CSM students were given an opportunity to look through very high powered microscopes to view and identify plankton first hand. Some of these microscopes have a value of over $10,000 dollars and were purchased using special grant monies obtained by AES with the assistance of Mr. Chuck Mulligan.
Student-Teachers also taught CSM students how plankton shape their bodies to float near the surface of the water nearest the sun to help feed themselves and how their shape can help provide some protection. Then CSM students were given an opportunity to form their own plankton, using a 2oz. size clay ball, to see what form would float the longest before sinking to the bottom. While visiting I was given an opportunity to make my own plankton, and it should be noted that my shape floated the longest and even beat the times of CSMS teachers Mr. Hobson and Mr. O’Leary! Smile!
This program that the AES has of visiting the schools and having the Student-Teachers meet with other students in the County is not only an excellent learning tool but it also is an excellent way for middle school students to see what the Academy of Environmental Science is all about.
What is a Charter School Anyway?
The Academy of Environmental Science is Citrus County’s only Public Charter School. For those of you that don’t know what a public charter school is, they are very different from a Private Charter School. A public charter school is started through the public school board. The public charter must, by Florida Statue, follow all the curriculum requirements of any public school, as defined by the Florida Department of Education and Statue. The public charter staff and teachers must meet all the same requirements as any public school board employee or teacher. Public charter students must take any standard tests that public school students do, such as the FCAT. In a private charter school none of those requirements are mandated.
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Those who teach, also can do
Posted on April 30th, 2012 by Thomas Kennedy
“For those who are teachers, becoming teachers, family members or teachers or are a fan of teachers, this speaks to many of the issue teachers bring up each day. If you are a critic of educators I encourage you to also read this article. ~Thomas”
Those who teach, also can do
By Joan F. Kaywell, special to the Tampa Bay Times
Those who can, do. Those who can’t, teach. Those who can’t teach, teach teachers.
Well, I have taught teachers for almost 25 years at the University of South Florida’s college of education. I’m tired of those cliches — and of the assault on the profession.
We all know the power of that one teacher in a student’s life, and I am giving my student-teachers — all 500 that I’ve taught over the years — the tools to become that teacher. Sadly, the current concern in the bureaucracy of education is not how to nurture that one teacher. Nope. The focus is on how you measure whether or not a teacher is effective and how you prove it.
We had a critical teacher shortage when Jeb Bush was governor. But instead of examining why, his answer was to let far too many unready people into the classroom. His way to ensure that anyone entering the field was “highly qualified” was to have each prospect pass a test. That’s analogous to passing the written portion of the driving test and then being called a “highly qualified” driver.
After becoming “highly qualified,” those entering the field are given a temporary teaching certificate and three years to obtain their professional license. A doctor goes through training to become a doctor before taking the state exam, but anyone who’s graduated from college can teach without teacher training simply by taking a test. You don’t even need a degree in English to do so. It doesn’t make sense.
CLICK HERE TO READ THE REST OF THE STORY…
Joan F. Kaywell is a professor of English education in the college of education at the University of South Florida. She is the author of “Dear Author: Letters of Hope.”
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Filter Youth
Posted on April 19th, 2012 by Thomas Kennedy
Filter Youth
“Motivate – Mentor – Modify!”
What might happen if you combined motor dirt bike riding with positive community mentors for at risk youth? You would have a program like Filter Youth Initiatives. Filter is a newly established program in Citrus County to assist trouble young people. Filter is based on the National Youth Project Using Minibikes (NYPUM) youth program. NYPUM has been an effective means of motivating kids since it was founded in 1969. NYPUM combines the incentive of riding minibikes and the love of the outdoors with the support that comes with the relationships that develop among participants and their mentors. If the youth continues to progress with their behavior contract goals, then he/she will ride, if these expectations are not met, then the goals will be clarified and the youth will have to wait for the next opportunity to ride.
Filter began with the help of Citrus County Sheriff Deputy and School Resource Officer Joe Faherty. Deputy Faherty has always been involved with youth programs. Over ten years ago Deputy Faherty began the Citrus County Shop with a Cop program which has assisted over 250 under privileged kids to have a very Merry Christmas. Deputy Faherty, at the beginning of each school year, can be found working with the “Stuff the Bus” program which helps needy students receive school supplies. Deputy Faherty has wanted to have a youth program that would assist at risk youth in the afternoons, evenings and weekends. Deputy Faherty could think of no better motivational project than of the Minibikes Filter Program.
Filter has now secured the location where they will function and has received a generous donation of minibikes from Honda. They are in the process of establishing formal agreements with many youth and children services throughout Citrus County.
Visit their web site: www.FilterYouth.com to learn more or follow them on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Filter-Youth-Project/185973064786194
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CREST Playground Project Needs Your Help!
Posted on April 18th, 2012 by Thomas Kennedy
CREST Playground Project Needs Your Help!
“All students can achieve regardless of their disability!”
The Citrus Resources for Exceptional Student Transition (commonly known as CREST) is a center school for students with severe disabilities and is part of the Citrus County School District. Children come from all over the county to attend CREST. The mission of CREST is to provide an enriching special day school environment in which all students achieve their potential. By addressing each students’ unique educational needs, they facilitate successful integration into the community. The belief is that all students can achieve regardless of their disability. Innovative programs, instruction, and curriculum are defining components of CREST.
The student population at CREST ranges from birth to age twenty-two years of age. Students attending CREST are classified as having an Intellectual Disability (InD) or an Emotional Behavioral Disability (EBD). Under those two classifications are students with physical disabilities, autism, conduct disorder, compulsive disabilities, speech and language disabilities and more.
What does “61 – 100 – 12” mean at CREST?
The students at CREST have significant disabilities so much so that they find it challenging to function in a regular school setting. Sixty- one percent (61%) of CREST students are on free or a reduced lunch plan. A hundred percent (100%) of our students have some form of disability. Twelve percent (12%) of our population is in wheelchairs.
The current status of the CREST playground is not adequate to facilitate all the need of the broad spectrum of student population. Currently there is no wheelchair accessible equipment. An age appropriate safe area specifically designed to foster the physical development of our early childhood students is needed. There isn’t any fitness equipment to address the needs of our older and more physically active students. Many of the medically fragile students are hypersensitive to light and due to the lack of shaded areas, they are unable to enjoy an outdoor play area with their peers.
In Citrus County there are no playgrounds that serve the needs of children with disabilities, especially children in wheelchairs. It is CREST goal to offer a playground with equipment that will be accessible for all children with disabilities.
CREST would like to develop a playground that offer swings made to accommodate wheelchairs and ramps that will make play areas with sensory, music, and learning panels easily accessible as well.
Students in wheelchairs have shared that the playground is boring because they can only sit under a pavilion due to no ramps or sidewalks to get to anything else. Other students have said that they do not even want to go to the playground because they just sit there in their wheelchair with no place to go and nothing to play with. As for our ambulatory population, CREST aims to have up to date equipment to not only facilitate physical development but also to provide a safe environment to stimulate positive social interaction.
Many Local organizations that have contributed to the CREST Playground Project:
- American Legion
- Wal-Mart
- SunTrust Bank
- Crystal River Rotary Club
- Gulf to Lakes Pilot Club
- iH hhhjh Historical Kenwood Garden Club of St. Pete
- Lecanto High School Video Productions
- Lecanto High School Drama Club
- Citrus County Cruisers
HOW can you help?
When you would like to participate in volunteering at an upcoming Playground fundraiser or by opening your wallet and making a monetary contribution of any amount CREST needs your help.
Contact Kelly Daugherty at CREST School (352) 527-0303 ext. 6114 or by email DaughertyK@citrus.k12.fl.us
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Kindergarten Round-Up 2012
Posted on April 17th, 2012 by Thomas Kennedy
Kindergarten Round-Up 2012
Kindergarten Round-Up is an opportunity for you to learn about your child’s school. At Round-Up, you will likely tour the school, meet the kindergarten teachers and school staff, and register your child for school.
This is also a great time to meet other parents. Take this opportunity to ask questions about parent involvement and school events you and your child can attend before the start of school.
Schools schedule round-up every spring, See Times Below! If you miss the Round-Up, you should still visit the school and register.
What School Am I Zoned For?
Click here or call (352) 746 – 3960
What Should Parents Bring?
- Driver License or Identification Cards
- Two proofs of Residency
- any current bill with your name and address,
- a house rental or lease agreement,
- or similar item(s)
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