CRMS students get hands-on experience with the water cycle

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Crystal River Middle School science students got more than their feet wet while studying the Floridan Aquifer and the water cycle.

Last month, they went on a snorkeling field trip to the Rainbow River, and a smaller group later put their knowledge to work teaching what they had learned to Crystal River Primary School kindergarteners.

The Rainbow River field trip gave eighth-grade students a hands-on view of where water comes from, why it’s important to conserve this resource and a better understanding of the water cycle.

They participated in a lab at school in which they put plastic zipper bags over some leaves on trees to collect the water that trees give off, a process called transpiration. They created posters, door hangers and made bookmarks with water conservation messages on them. They watched a video about a group of scientists who went scuba diving in the Floridan Aquifer in Alachua County. They also created a poster listing the reasons that invasive plant species are bad.

During the boat trip, students learned more about the Rainbow River, such as how many gallons of water it produces, the local wildlife they might see, and more information about the springs they would explore. Students also had a chance to search for fossils such as shark teeth, animal bones and ancient artifacts such as arrowheads.

After lunch, they students participated in a community service, pulling hydrilla, an invasive species of plant, out of the Rainbow River. They examined the hydrilla for live animals such as crawfish, fish and shrimp so they could throw them back into the water. Park rangers bagged up the hydrilla to dispose of it properly.

To prepare for their trip to Crystal River Primary School, students spent many days writing and illustrating their children’s stories about the water cycle, seen through the “eyes” of a single drop of water.

The Southwest Florida Water Management District provided free children’s materials related to water conservation and the water cycle.

During the field trip to Crystal River Primary, 29 Crystal River eighth-graders visited six kindergarten classes. The eighth-graders read their stories and helped the kindergarteners with educational activities about water.

Comments Off on ChronicleOnline: CRMS students get hands-on experience
Filed under: News & Updates

Week in Review for May 22nd – May 28th, 2011

“What just happened????”

The students, teachers and most of the staff have left the schools and summer has officially begun for the Citrus County School District. Now the challenges of developing the budget for next year continues.

On Thursday Governor Rick Scott signed the state budget but also vetoed $615 million dollars out of the budget for next year.  Then Scott asked the Legislators to reallocate the vetoed monies to K-12 educational funding.  Shortly after Scott spoke, House Speaker Dean Cannon responded with the following statement:

“What is more surprising is the Governor’s sudden emphasis on K-12 education. The budget we sent him funds education at a higher level than the Governor recommended just a few months ago, when he proposed a 10% cut to the FEFP. The Governor communicated numerous priorities during session, and we did our best to accommodate him. It would have been helpful if the Governor had shared this new found emphasis with us before the budget was finalized.”

We have been told from our contacts in Tallahassee that there is no reason to anticipate that any additional FEFP funds (Florida Education Finance Program – per student public school funding) will be provided to the school districts prior to the fiscal year 2011-2012 year.  While Governor Scott expressed that he would like to see additional funding generated from vetoed appropriations provided to K-12 school programs, there is no current plan to call a special session to have the legislature provide for more FEFP funding.

At this point it is hard for me not to repeat something I have expressed often for sometime: “I am sick and tired of the parties and politicians using public education as their political football.”

So what happens now?  On June 7th at 9:00am the Citrus County School Board will be meeting for another special meeting and workshop regarding the budget.  Superintendent Himmel and her staff will be providing the Board with additional information and annual costs of programs and curriculum.  I don’t want to over- speculate as to what, if anything will be finalized, at the meeting.  We are all concerned but I also feel there are some reasons to be optimistic about some things.

I am sorry for any of you that are waiting to hear if some positions will be funded and approved for next year.  Unfortunately, at this time it is critical that we have more information before making those decisions. Parents are concerned about how our classrooms and schools will be affected next year. I feel nearly everyone in the process wants to get things settled as soon as possible for you and our schools.

I hope all of you have a great beginning to a good summer break.

Comments Off on Week in Review for May 22nd – May 28th, 2011
Filed under: News & Updates

Governor Scott has announced that he will veto $615 million from the State Budget. In his remarks he called the Legislature to redirect the vetoed funds into Florida’s Schools. Details are not yet available and we will keep you advised as information becomes available.

Comments Off on Breaking News – Governor Calls legislature to send vetoed funds to Education
Filed under: News & Updates