United States Senator Bill Nelson from are our state of Florida met with Elected Officials on Tuesday, August 25th, 2011 at Inverness City Hall. Chronicle Reporter Mike Wright (in background) was covering the event.
I told the Senator that my wife, Thomasine, was more excited for me to meet him because he is an Astronaut (he flew on the 1986 Columbia Space shuttle mission) than because he is a Senator. The Senator offered a big smile when I said that and responded, “She sounds she is a kid at heart.”
Prior to this day’s meeting with Senator Nelson I had the pleasure of spending some quality one on one time with the Senator’s Regional Director, Digna Alvarez sharing about my concerns for students that may not immediately attend a college or university after high school. I explained that I believe our state and national legislative leaders are taking an approach to education of “one size fits all” which is unfortunate and incorrect. They are directing resources in education in only one direction-one that assumes all students must go to college.
I followed by asking the Senator, “how are we as a school district, as a state, and as a nation supporting and developing educational programs and pathways that guide students whose interests are in career and technical education?” For example:
The National Educational Agenda, reflected in Race to the Top reforms, promotes the doubling of the number of students entering college with very minimal reference to vocational/career/technical.
Stimulus and AARA funding supports college readiness, including Science, Technology, Engineering, & Math (STEM), but little seems to be directed to career and technical (college-bound career & technical students).
Florida School Accountability (high school) emphasizes college readiness including participation & performance in dual enrollment classes, Advanced Placement classes, International Baccalaureate classes, and industry certification classes. The latter is the only reference to career and technical education.
In Florida, Perkins Career & Technical Education Act funds vocational programs; funding is being reduced and being attacked.
I encouraged the Senator as well you to read this transcript of the April 19th, 2011 speech, “Rigor, Relevance, and the Future of Career and Technical Education” from Education Secretary Arne Duncan who noted the grave implications for Career and Technical Education. (CLICK HERE TO READ SPEECH)
I am asking Senator Nelson to join the Congressional Career and Technical Education Caucus who is a a bi-partisan group of Members of Congress created to enhance awareness in Congress of the importance of career and technical education in preparing a well-educated and skilled workforce in America.
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Feed Citrus through the We Care Food Pantry Building Materials List
About a year ago I had the pleasure of being introduced to Ms. Diane Toto of the Homosassa Food Pantry. At that time Ms. Toto and HFP was in the beginning stages of a critical project, the We Care Food Pantry. The We Care Food Pantry is the construction of two–7,200 square foot centralized storage and distribution centers. One distribution center will be dedicated to the We Care Food Pantry to store of food and the second will be accessed and regulated by independent Citrus County agencies, under their own independent board. Complete with freezers, loading docks and storage areas it will be available to serve the Citrus County community for generations to come.
In addition Ms. Toto has been asked to join a steering committee where it it has been decided to convert the “former” Knights of Columbus building in Homosassa (on Atlas Drive) into an outreach center. A lot of agencies have already committed, including a dental clinic, a mental health clinic, the Homeless Coalition, Daystar, Citrus Memorial Hospital and more.
The We Care Food Pantry will have an even greater mission and ability to provide food to Citrus County groups, organizations and “in-need” adults and children with these new centralized storage and distribution centers. One of the critically important organizations is Blessings in a Backpack which feeds “in-need” students on the weekends and often receives food provided through the We Care Food Pantry.
The We Care Pantry is in need not only of financial donations (click here for the current WCP Fundraising event) but also donations of materials and construction services. (please see list below)
If you or someone you know may be able to help please contact Ms. Diane Toto, 352-628-0445 and email: wecarefood@gmail.com
Click video to right to see Ms. Toto sharing about the We Care Pantry.
This special auction benefits the “Under One Roof” Capital Campaign being conducted by the We Care Food Pantry and Feed Citrus County. The campaign is to raise funds for the construction of two 7,200 square foot buildings. Complete with freezers, loading docks and storage areas, the distribution center will be available to serve the Citrus County community for generations to come.
Bid on more than 150 items at www.natlauctions.com starting Monday, August 15 Final bids at telethon on Saturday, Sept. 10 on WYKE-TV (Channel 16) from 12 noon to 5 p.m.
Auction Item Categories Include:
Home Improvement
Water Recreation
Golf
Gifts for Ladiies
Jewelry
Sports
Art
Stay Overs
Outdoor Equipment Gifts for the Home
Electronics
Hair Care
Fishing Equipment
Pet Products
Food & Restaurants
Camping
and much, much more
Call the We Care Food Pantry at 628-9333 or 628-0445 for more information or to make an appointment to view a specific item.
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Exceptional Children Council (for Exceptional Student Education & Learning Challenged Students, Parents, Guardians and Community) ECC’s objective is to assist Citrus County Public School students, parents and guardians in all aspects of education and development of students with disabilities and learning challenges. Council participants are parents, grandparents, guardians, students, teachers, district and school administrators, related support service providers, and a school board representative. (click here for previous blog on ECC)
I am excited to be able to share with you that one of the most rewarding meetings I was able to participate in this week was the planning and brainstorming session for the “new” Exceptional Children Council (ECC). Nancy Haynes, Director of Exceptional Student Education, contacted me on Monday to arrange for me to meet with her to begin planning for the new ECC. I wasted no time in confirming that I would be available. When I arrived at the meeting, I expected to see Ms. Haynes and perhaps one or two other ESE representatives. Instead I was greeted with the entire core team of the ESE department. I was already enthusiastic about the meeting, but to see all of the people gathered around the table of this small conference room got my heart beating pretty fast! I knew at that moment that my desire and belief in the purpose of this group was going to become a reality. What was further made very clear to me when I sat down in the room was that the ESE department was seriously committed to developing the ECC and to further assisting families of ESE students.
The meeting was occupied with the full spectrum of ESE team members: administrators, transition specialists, TOSAs and district ESE specialists. I shared with the group the reasons that I felt it is important to re-establish this group at this time. I explained some of the opportunities and workshops we might consider. I also presented some of the feedback that many of you have shared with me. What happened next was the best part of all! These ESE team members began sharing about what further opportunities the ECC might offer to be able to bring the program to an even higher level of performance. They brainstormed and thought about what concerns might be best addressed first. They shared that with the State and Federal grants and services being reduced this is the best time for the ECC to be proactive about helping families of ESE students obtain the information about available services and assistance. You see, these team members are as passionate about wanting to make a difference as the parents of ESE students, ESE students and you and me. I have learned by working and talking with them that they are in their (Did I spell that right, Specialist Whealin?) jobs because they feel “called” to assist and help every student achieve up to and even beyond their abilities. I often contact members of this team when parents contact me about individual ESE issues. These district representatives are the first to not only come, but run, to the aid of our students! While you may not ever see them, they are behind the scenes each and every day advocating for our students. They are not afraid to confront an issue even if it “ruffles a few feathers”. They also often are providing opportunities to better assist our ESE students and sometimes they have to share the disappointing details about why some services aren’t available for a student and I can tell you first hand no one takes it harder and gets more upset then these team members when that happens.
The meeting concluded with an immediate objective to have an initial large “workshop/learning event” perhaps as early this fall. It is an event I will be excited to share with you soon. I will be providing more in the coming weeks.
Please continue to provide me with your ideas, thoughts and feedback. It is critical to our success!
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The rain did not dampen the spirits of the students and staff at our schools on the first day of school.
Citrus School students on Monday headed back to school for the 2011-2012 school year. I started my own day by dropping my daughter off at her new classroom at Central Ridge Elementary School. I then helped check in visitors at CRE using the Raptor visitor security check-in system many of us have become accustomed to at our schools. The first day of school can be exciting, nerve-wracking, and even scary for some-and that is just how the teachers feel! However, I saw lots of smiling faces, hugs from school friends and a few tears as well. I always enjoy participating in the first days and weeks of school and being a part of the excitement.
I then visited Crystal River High School and Crystal River Primary to see how the renovation projects worked out the first day of school. It was really exciting walking up to CRHS and seeing the students heading to class. I even had a chance to see Ms. Cindy Reynolds’ “Informal Geometry” math class in one of the hallways where Ms. Reynolds used the new lockers with their numbers as an example of amath pattern. At CRP I was so happy to see the new entrance and reception area. I stopped by some of the classrooms including Mr. Mark Garlock’s music class where he was introducing his first graders to percussion instruments.
Bus problems are an unfortunate part of any first day of school. If you have any bus transportation issues please contact the Back to School Bus Hotline at 637-2233 or the District Transportation department at 352-726-1931 ext. 2370
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Bill Nelson comes to Citrus
