Posted on October 4th, 2010 by
Thomas Kennedy
I spent the morning of Monday, October 4th, 20910 at Citrus Springs Elementary School (CSES) and walked the halls with Principal Scott Hebert and Assistant Principal Alice Harrell. My son Ethan attended CSES from Kindergarten through the end of 3rd grade before we were re-zoned into Central Ridge Elementary (CRE) so CSES is school I knew well. This is both Mr. Hebert and Mrs. Harrell’s first year as administrators at CSES. (Mr. Hebert was Curriculum Specialist at CSES but left to be assistant principal at another school before returning this year). CSES has had some changes since my son attended school there. At one time the school had over 1,100 students before CRE opened; now CSES has over 700 students. The school was filled with many familiar and new educators ‘ faces. I stopped by music and visited with Mr. Chris Wilson. Mr. Wilson shared that he was working to bring back the violin choir that CSES used to have. He hopes to use a combination of the “suzuki method” along with some others to teach the violin to the students. I enjoyed meeting again with many of the staff and educators I knew and I enjoyed meeting new staff members as well.
Related Links
Comments Off on Citrus Springs Elementary School Visit 10/4/2010
Filed under: News & Updates
Posted on October 4th, 2010 by
Thomas Kennedy
Homosassa Elementary Visit
Enjoyed my visit on Wednesday, September 27th, 2010 to Homosassa Elementary School. Principal Chris Bosse and Assistant Principal Jill Young brought me through nearly every classroom and I had an opportunity to see the outstanding students at work. We stopped by music specials where Ms. Donna Olsen was teaching Recorders to the students. It was fun listening to them play. I am looking forward to my next visit to HES.
Lecanto Middle School
Also on Wednesday, September 27th, 2010 I had a terrific visit at Lecanto Middle School (LMS). Principal Bill Farrell toured me through several classrooms and I had an opportunity to talk with some of our great students. We popped in on a Teacher’s Data Day event for the Reading Department and I got a chance to listen to data being analyzed and strategies being planned. We visited the Vocational Department where Mr. Jim Manos shared with me some of the Careers Learning and studies the students are doing in the technology lab. Before leaving I had an opportunity to observe a Lock Down drill. I was pleased with the success of the drill. The students were excited about a football game that night between LMS and Citrus Springs Middle School.
Related Links
Comments Off on HES & LMS Visits 09/27/2010
Filed under: News & Updates
Posted on September 29th, 2010 by
Thomas Kennedy

Citrus County Chronicle
By Cheri Harris
Chris Suchan blew into Citrus Springs Elementary School last week, creating quite a stir. As soon as he walked into the cafetorium, cries of “You’re on TV!” met the 10 News meteorologist as he greeted fifth-graders with high-fives. As he started his presentation, they fell silent.
Click here to read more …
Comments Off on Citrus Springs Elementary, Weather wonders
Filed under: News & Updates
Posted on September 29th, 2010 by
Thomas Kennedy
Citrus County welcomes $400,000 check from federal reimbursement program
Citrus County Chronicle
By Cheri Harris
During a workshop, Mike Geddes, director of technology and information services for the district, said he received a check Friday for more than $400,000 from a federal telecommunications reimbursement program, and he expects the district to receive a total of about $1 million in the next 30 to 45 days.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE
Comments Off on Citrus Schools hope more money en route
Filed under: News & Updates
Posted on September 27th, 2010 by
Thomas Kennedy
Dear Friends,
Thomasine and I want to thank all of you who were able to make our Victory Party on Saturday. We had over 80 people attend and we had a wonderful time visiting, sharing, reflecting and planning for our students’ and community’s future. We want to thank Lynn and Todd Sisto for again having the party at their home. It is such a great setting! Thanks to Faye and Dennis DeLoach for bringing the incredible Cuban sandwiches; Denyse Atchinson, Tana Carney, Sue Barnes, and Robin Braswell for baking their scrumptious cookies; and Corrine and Steve Sachewicz for their delicious key lime pie. If I am leaving anyone out (and I bet I am) thank you as well!!! It was a special and wonderful day for Thomasine and myself and I am so happy we could share it together.
We want to again thank all of you for your support, encouragement and advice since the election. I have been transitioning into role as School Board Representative. If you are interested in following what I am doing visit my web site at www.OurCitrusCountySchools.com (which also points to www.KennedyForKids.com) and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/kennedyforkids.
I have a great deal of work ahead and I will continue to need your support, encouragement, advice, insight, and prayers.
Thank you for this opportunity,

352.476.4031 (direct number)
For any “school” related issues please contact at: thomas.kennedy@citrusschools.org
For any “other” related issues please contact at: thomas@kennedyforkids.com
Thomas’s Blog Site: www.OurCitrusCountySchools.com
Thomas’s Facebook: www.facebook.com/kennedyforkids
Comments Off on Party Over but…
Filed under: News & Updates
Posted on September 26th, 2010 by
Thomas Kennedy
Citrus County School District is an “A” graded district for the State of Florida. While the bulk of this article doesn’t necessary apply to Citrus schools it does have some interesting figures and information. THOMAS

A new WSJ/NBC News poll shows Americans give the nation’s public schools a GPA of 1.8 – not failing, but clearly in need of remediation.

Asked to grade the nation’s public schools using the common scale for students – A, B, C, D and F – only 2% of those surveyed gave them an A; 17% a B; almost half, 45%, said C; 25% a D, and 7% said F. Asked about the schools in their own communities, respondents handed out better grades: an overall GPA of 2.3, with 13% giving an A; 32% a B; 27% a C; 15% a D, and 9% an F.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE
Comments Off on WSJ/NBC Survey: Grades for Schools
Filed under: News & Updates