Archive for News & Updates

Recent happenings in Citrus Schools for Sept. 30th, 2011

Posted on September 30th, 2011 by

Recent happenings in Citrus Schools for Sept. 30th, 2011

Crystal River Primary School Renovation Open House

Crystal River Primary got a new school!  Well, not really, but it sure looks like it.  Tuesday evening Superintendent Sam Himmel, Board Members, parents, students, Cub Scouts and the community came out to celebrate the official completion of construction and renovation at the “new” school.  Principal Edith Speight began the event by welcoming everyone followed by Cub Scout Troop 415 having the raising of the Flags and the Pledge of Allegiance.  The CRP Elementary Choral, directed by Music Education teacher Mark Garlock, provided several patriotic selections including a wonder rendition of the Star-Spangled Banner.  The event ended with the unveiling of the building plaque by Superintendent Himmel, Board Member Ginger Bryant, and several CRP students.

 

Technology Committee Meeting

Okay, it is no secret that I love technology, the use of technology in learning, and love hanging around other “geeks”.  So what better than to spend the morning at the Citrus Schools Technology Committee (TC) meeting!  This was the first meeting of the 2011-2012 school year.  Over thirty-six members gathered representing Technology Specialists, Technology Aides, Media Specialists and Administrators.

Citrus County School Educational Technology Director, Dr. Mike Geddes, half joking shared his feelings in the meeting regarding educational technology by saying, “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times…” and this does reflect new and very fast changes in the educational technology landscape.  That said, I am still most excited about the educational technology tools and opportunities that our students and educators will have.

BYOT (“Bring Your Own Technology”) was a big topic of the meeting.  This is a new reference to the use of student devices in school such as netbooks, laptops, iPads, etc.  In our district in Citrus County, this year, we are     providing our students with the ability to use their BYOT tools to school where they can access a new student wireless wall to wall network.  This will occur in our middle and high schools which are funded by last budget year through the use of the Race to the Top grant funds.

Citrus Schools, through a grant, are also providing ESE technology support from the Florida Diagnostic and Learning Resources System.  FDLRS provides statewide diagnostic and instructional support services to the district exceptional student education programs. Karen Hancock is Citrus Schools FDLRS support person and attended the TC.  Ms. Hancock provided many resource materials and shared several smart board activities with the TC.

I am most encouraged and excited about the future of educational technology in our classrooms and for the commitment that the Citrus School District has made towards improving the use of educational technology.

Smart boards and Mobies at work in the classroom

Thursday morning I toured Central Ridge Elementary School with Karen Hancock the district consultant for the Florida Diagnostic and Learning Resources System.  Ms. Hancock was at CRE to visit the classrooms that are using smart boards and Mobi and are providing support and resources to integrate them more into student learning.  As we walked around the school it was clear that smart boards and Mobies are an integral part of learning at CRE.  In Ms. Williams Pre-Kindergarten classroom the students, in the morning, would walk over to the smart board and, using their finger, drag their name from the “Not Here” to the “Here Today” column. That was just the beginning of how it is used!  Ms. Williams uses her smart board to have students do kinesthetic learning. In Ms. Knox third grade classroom I saw how her students would use the Mobi to answer math questions from their desk while it is being displayed on the overhead screen.  These are such exciting times in educational technology and I appreciate seeing how it is being used in the classrooms today!

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Cartridges (and more) for Kids for Blessings in a Backpack of Citrus County

Posted on September 30th, 2011 by

Cartridges (and more) for Kids for Blessings in a Backpack of Citrus County

Recycling used cell phones, empty laser, fax, copier, and inkjet cartridges as well as, laptops, Palm Pilots, iPods, video games, GPS Systems, DVD’s and digital cameras for Blessings in a Backpack of Citrus County

Blessings in a Backpack of Citrus County (with the help of Crista and Vincent Cappuccilli) is recycling and would like your help. We are recycling used cell phones, empty laser, fax, copier, and inkjet cartridges as well as, laptops, Palm Pilots, iPods, video games, GPS Systems, DVD’s and digital cameras for two reasons. First, we are trying to preserve our environment by keeping these harmful items out of landfills, and secondly, to raise funds for Blessings in a Backpack of Citrus County.

The recyclable items that are collected are sorted and boxed up by Crista and Vincent and are shipped to Cartridges for Kids® (CFK). Blessings in a Backpack of Citrus county is among more than 12,500 non-profit organizations nationwide that are helping the environment by recycling.

How can you help? You can turn your “trash into our treasure” and feel good about helping the environment all at the same time. Most people have used cell phones to dispose of and almost everyone uses cartridges, either at home or at work. They come from fax machines, copiers and printers. By donating these used items you can assist Blessings in a Backpack with earning much needed funds. 100% of the funds raised are used to buy food for children in the backpack program.

Community and business supporters can participate at no cost. CFK will send postage-paid pre-printed shipping labels to business supporters for the return of the used items. You may also contact the person listed below to pick up your recyclables.
To learn more about Blessings in a Backpack, please call Dondi Cappuccilli at 352-220-1818 or email feedcitruskids@gmail.com or visit www.citruscountyblessings. For information, visit www.cartridgesforkids.com or call toll free at 800-420-0235.

Blessings in a Backpack was started in July, 2005 in Louisville, KY, with the singular purpose of helping feed these children of less fortunate families on the weekends, when they don’t have access to government subsidized meals. Working in close cooperation with guidance counselors from enrolled schools to choose the poorest of the poor from these schools, Blessings volunteers supply needed nutrition through the Blessings in a Backpack program. Nationally, Blessings in a Backpack is in 155 schools in 19 states, and has served over 23,000 children. Surprisingly, it only takes $80 to feed one child on the weekends through the entire school year!

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Blessings in a Backpack: Kiwanis Club’s 2nd Annual Chicken Box Lunch

Posted on September 30th, 2011 by

“Please ‘feed your face’ so we can ‘feed theirs’!”

Inverness Kiwanis Club’s

2nd Annual Chicken Box Lunch

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7th, 2011

  • ½ Grilled Chicken, Baked beans, Cole slaw & Bread.

  • $8 per lunch

  • Large lunch orders delivered! (10 or more)

To Purchase Tickets call 352-220-1818.
10 of these lunches raises enough money to feed one child in the program, every weekend, through the entire school year!
All proceeds benefit Blessings in a Backpack of Citrus County! For more information go to www.citruscountyblessings.com

Call to order tickets and to inquire about lunch delivery for large groups.
Contact: 352-302-0109
Email: info@citruscountyblessings.com

Blessings in a Backpack was started in July, 2005 in Louisville, KY, with the singular purpose of helping feed these children of less fortunate families on the weekends, when they don’t have access to government subsidized meals. Working in close cooperation with guidance counselors from enrolled schools to choose the poorest of the poor from these schools, Blessings volunteers supply needed nutrition through the Blessings in a Backpack program. Nationally, Blessings in a Backpack is in 155 schools in 19 states, and has served over 23,000 children. Surprisingly, it only takes $80 to feed one child on the weekends through the entire school year!

 

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Plan on Attending! TOWN HALL EVENT on RtI

Posted on September 25th, 2011 by
“I am so excited about this event!  It will be a most informative evening.  Please try and come to this event! ” ~Thomas

Parents, Grandparents, Teachers, Community Members

You’re invited…

TOWN HALL EVENT on RtI

Presented by ESE Council of Citrus County Schools

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2011 6:30PM

BEVERLY HILLS COMMUNITY BUILDING
1 Civic Circle, Beverly Hills, Florida 34465
RSVP TO MARSHA WATSON at (352) 726-1931, EXT. 2330;
or, via email to WatsonM2@citrus.k12.fl.us

  • Information will be provided on Exceptional Student Education (ESE) services and support.
  • Representatives from the Central Florida Parent Center will provide information on how they can help families.
  • ESE staff will address what “evaluation” means from a Response to Intervention (RtI) perspective. A question and answer session will follow.

Any person requiring a reasonable accommodation at this event because of a disability or physical impairment should contact the ESE Department at (352) 726-1931, ext. 2330.

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Recap of School Board Meeting for Sept. 13th, 2011

Posted on September 16th, 2011 by

Recap of School Board Meeting for Sept. 13th, 2011

On Tuesday September 13th, 2011 the school board met for our Regular meeting as well as a Public meeting to give final approval of two policies and the 2011-2012 school year budget.

At the meeting Withlacoochee Technical Institute’s “SkillUSA, National Leadership and Skills Competition” winner, Angie J Mooney, was recognized for winning a Bronze Medal at the State competition and a Silver Medal at Nationals, for her Employment Application Process.  SkillsUSA’s mission is to help its members become world-class workers, leaders and responsible American citizens.  SkillsUSA serves more than 300,000 students and instructors annually. The organization has 13,000 school chapters in 54 states and territorial associations.

A few future construction and maintenance projects were approved.  They included an architectural agreement for Citrus High School Reproofing and an Engineering Agreement for the Lecanto High School Kitchen Upgrade Project where.  Also, an engineer’s proposal was presented to the Board for evaluation of a feasibility study to be done regarding building a new wastewater plant at Floral City Elementary.  After consideration, this study was approved.

One of the items which generated a great deal of conversation was the School Year Calendar for 2012-2013.  Patrick Simon, Director of Reach and Accountability, presented the process for the adoption of next year’s school year calendar. One of the biggest concerns is changes that have been mandated by the Florida Department of Education regarding testing days (a.k.a. “windows”).  As we understand it, due to lobbying by Florida metropolitan school districts, DOE will not allow testing during the month of December in order to accommodate those metropolitan school districts that offer summer school testing.  January testing very likely means that students will not finish their first semester courses before the December Holiday Break. They will, under the new regulation, have to return to school in January and begin taking End of Course Exams and Final Exams.  Why is this a problem?  Among the many logistical and curriculum planning concerns for all grades, it is our high school “Dual Enrollment” students that will lose out the most.  This will, for the most part, eliminate the availability of taking college courses in high school for many students and all but eliminate any high school student from taking college courses in the second semester.  This change will likely have negative affects on student’s success and cause additional financial stress on families future costs of college and post high school educational expenses.  The reason for this is that many high school students can, under the system we have now, finish one to two (or more) college semesters while in high school, therefore potentially saving tens of thousands of tuition dollars.  At this board meeting I was assigned to the District Calendar Committee as the Board Representative and our first meeting is this Monday, September 19th, 2011.  If you have any concerns which you would like to bring to my attention, please let me know.

Also at the meeting the Board approved the final budget for the 2011-2012 school year of $261.7 million dollars and set the millage rate for 8.054 mills which is a decrease of less than one percent from last year.

We have several important school board meetings and event in the next couple of months.  Below is a light of highlighted events I wanted to make you aware of.

Upcoming Events

  • CRP Renovation Celebration/Open House
    • September 27, 2011 at 5:30pm
  • Regular School Board Meeting for October 2011
    • October 11th, 2011 at 4:00pm
  • Town Hall/ESE Council Meeting on RtI Process
    • Wednesday, October 12 · 6:30pm – 8:00pm
    • Beverly Hills Community Building
  • School Board Workshop for October
    • Board Goal Setting Workshop
    • October 25th, 2011 at 9:00am
  • Regular School Board Meeting for November 2011
    • November 8th, 2011at 4:00pm
  • School Board Workshop for November
    • Technology use by students in the Schools Workshop
    • November 15th, 2011 at 9:00am
  • School Board Organizational Meeting for 2011-2012
    • November 22nd, 2011at 4:00pm
      • Elect New Chairperson, Hire Attorney and Set Meeting Days & Time
      • Date Required by Florida Statue

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The Gift of Gifted?

Posted on September 12th, 2011 by

The Gift of Gifted?

“All of us do not have equal talent, but all of us should have an equal opportunity to develop our talent.” ~John F. Kennedy

This was one of the quotes that Dr. Patricia Gatto-Walden, Ph.D. shared with students and teachers on her recent visit.

On Thursday, September 8th, 2011, Dr. Patricia Gatto-Walden, Ph.D., an expert and counselor for gifted and advanced students, came to Citrus County to give a presentation to our gifted, middle and high schools students. She also gave training to a number of our teachers and administrators. This is not Dr. Gatto-Walden’s first presentation in Citrus County. Dr. Gatto-Walden has come to Citrus several times in the past giving presentations.  After each of her visits, several parents and teachers would ask me if I had an opportunity to attend her presentations.  I unfortunately had not. So I was most excited, this time, to be able to attend both her student presentation and teacher training.

Dr. Patti Talks to the Students

“Dr. Patti” as she asked the students to call her, was most invested in empowering the students to better understand why they often learn differently than their peers. Understanding a gifted person is often complex and multifaceted but Dr. Patti used examples that were clear to the students, and me.  One example that Dr. Patti used was “comparing the students to television sets”. She explained that a “Typical Student Television Set” would receive (or process) 3 channels. The “Gifted Student Television Set” would receive (or process) about 80 channels. The “Exceptionally Gifted Student Television Set” would receive (or process) about 500 channels and the “Profoundly Gifted Student Television Set” would receive (or process) about 5,000+ channels. This means that while the average student is able to process in their brain about three or so pieces of information and communication at a time the gifted student is able to process approximately eighty pieces of information. Dr. Patti shared with the students that an average student, or person, needs to hear or see a piece of information typically 6 to 7 times for it to be learned while a Gifted students needs typically only to hear or see the information 2 or 3 times to learn it. This can be frustrating for both the student and teacher as the student has learned it and moved on and if they don’t have something new to learn then their mind begins to wander and they become bored and/or sometimes act out. Knowing and understanding this, and becoming more self-aware, Dr. Patti explains, helps both the student and teacher to self-modify their learning. Another important reflection Dr. Patti shared was the “Imposter Syndrome” which often affects the gifted girl students much more often than the gifted boy students. The examples she shared were of what typically (not always) happens with a girl who has Imposter Syndrome. A gifted girl student takes a Math exam and gets an “A” and when she shares how she did she will often say things like, “Wow I was lucky that test was easy”, or “it is good that the teacher covered that as I wouldn’t have passed otherwise” or maybe “the teacher gave an easy test”. On the other hand the gifted boy student who gets an “A” will say, “I am great in math” or “I knew every answer”. Then she shared what often happens in reverse is If the same gifted girl comes back with a “C” she will often say, “See, I told them I am not smart in Math”, or “I did not try hard enough”, or maybe “I feel bad I let the teacher (or my parents) down”. In the same situation the gifted goy student may say if getting a “C”, “that test was stupid”, “I didn’t want to pass it anyway”, or maybe “the teacher didn’t know the right questions to ask”. This syndrome can be devastating to the success of our young women.  The person who often plays the greatest, and most critical role with these young women, are their fathers, the male teachers and coaches in their life. I implore you if you are a father, male teacher or male coach to empower our young women, lift them up and give them the great confidence they need. We must fill up their “cup of life” with so much confidence, love, support and compliance, so that when they face the negatives in middle and high schools (and they will) their “cup” can handle the negatives that they will face.

Double Labeled Gifted Learners

Double-Labeled gifted children are those that are physically or emotionally handicapped in some way and who also have learning disabilities. Often the handicap or disability is what are primarily treated or addressed first and thus the gifted programs do not always identify these children, nor do they offer differentiated programming that addresses and integrates their gifted special needs. This is another reason I have become a supporter of the Florida Department of Education having gifted students under the Exceptional Student Education department.  Dr. Patti shared the one of her own children is “double labeled” being both “Gifted” and “Severely Dyslexic”.

There was just so much information Dr. Patti covered that it is impossible to adequately share it all with you, but I encourage you, if you have the opportunity, to attend one of her next presentations when she comes to Citrus County.  You will learn so much helpful information.

Gifted Resources

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