Archive for News & Updates

The College of Central Florida Debbie Ressler Nursing Program

Posted on April 27th, 2023 by

The College of Central Florida Debbie Ressler Nursing Program

I wanted to share some great news about the College of Central Florida (CF). The CF District Board of Trustees recently honored an amazing individual named Deborah “Debbie” Ressler by renaming the nursing program after her. The newly named College of Central Florida Debbie Ressler Nursing Program is a wonderful tribute to Mrs. Ressler’s lifelong dedication to nursing, education, and community service.

Mrs. Ressler is a Registered Nurse who earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Florida Southern College (Go Mocs!). With over 30 years of experience in multiple nursing specialties, she worked at several hospitals, including St. Joseph’s Hospital in Tampa, H Lee Moffitt, and Tampa General Hospital. Her commitment to nursing and patient care is truly inspiring.

Mrs. Ressler has also made a significant impact through her dedication to family and community service. She helped create the Citrus County Community Charitable Foundation board and has been actively involved in organizations like the Citrus County Education Foundation and Citrus County Blessings. Her contributions to the community and students have been widely recognized.

The newly named nursing program will carry on Mrs. Ressler’s legacy by providing high-quality nursing education and preparing students for successful careers. The CF nursing program is well-known for producing compassionate and competent nurses who provide exceptional care to their patients.

It’s wonderful to see Mrs. Ressler’s dedication and contribution to nursing and education being recognized in such a meaningful way. The CF Board of Trustees’ commitment to honoring individuals who make significant contributions to the college and community is truly commendable.

The newly named College of Central Florida Debbie Ressler Nursing Program is a fitting tribute to Mrs. Ressler’s lifelong commitment to nursing, education, and community service. This program will continue to inspire and educate future generations of nurses who will carry on Mrs. Ressler’s legacy of excellence and compassion in nursing. Congratulations to Mrs. Ressler and CF for this well-deserved recognition!

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Retiring Assistant Superintendent Mike Mullen’s last board meeting

Posted on April 25th, 2023 by

Retiring Assistant Superintendent Mike Mullen’s last board meeting

Today is a bittersweet day as we bid farewell to a dear colleague and friend, Mr. Michael Mullen. As many of you may know, this is Mr. Mullen’s last meeting as the Citrus County School Assistant Superintendent before he embarks on a well-deserved retirement.

Before joining the Citrus County School Board, as some of you may know, Mr. Mullen had a distinguished career in the Army as a Captain. He completed his basic training at Fort Bragg, North Carolina and went on to become a platoon leader and an Executive Officer to the Major at Fort Ord, California. His military experience undoubtedly prepared him for the challenges he faced as an educator.

Mr. Mullen’s dedication to education is evident in his work here in Citrus County. He and his brother John developed some of the most innovative classrooms in the early ’90s, going from “shop” class to mini engineering programs. He served as a school administrator and became the principal at CHS. As the Executive Director, Mr. Mullen always stood for the betterment of students, staff, and schools.

Personally, Mr. Mullen has taught me so much over the years, and I will always be grateful for our collaborative conversations. Although sometimes spirited, I always knew that it was about the students, staff, and schools. He is a true student advocate, and his actions speak volumes.

Mr. Mullen is going to hate this, but I have some images to share during the time that we have worked together. [play video: https://photos.app.goo.gl/E5ZfSqUz4jMLmoXFA]

Mr. Mullen’s selflessness and dedication to others are always evident. Mr. Mullen is a dedicated runner with his family, and he can be found at our CCEF marathons running with our elementary school teams. It is common for Mr. Mullen to finish the race with a couple of kids on either side of him, only to see him cross the finish line and then immediately turn around and go back to find more students to encourage and help them finish the race.

Mr. Mullen is also an advocate for students who might learn differently. He quietly (and not so quietly) is an advocate of our ESE and learning-challenged students. He is also a huge supporter of Career and Technical/Workforce Education (CTE) students and programs. His passion for hands-on learning comes from his command of young people in the Army and as a CTE teacher. His passion helped play a role in Robert Tester, who was one of Mr. Mullen’s “shop class” students and is now our new teacher at the Citrus High School Construction Academy. Interestingly, Mr. Tester also went into the Army and rose to the rank of Captain.

Mr. Mullen, you have been my teacher, a mentor, a fellow swim dad, and a true friend. I will miss you so much, and I will miss our early morning (very early) talks. Your contributions to the Citrus County School Board and the education community are immeasurable, and we are grateful for everything you have done for us. We wish you all the best in your retirement and hope that you will continue to inspire us with your kindness, dedication, and passion for education. If you get bored, please come back!

Thank you, Mr. Mullen, and congratulations on your retirement!

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Chair Massullo files impactful amendment for at-risk seniors

Posted on April 21st, 2023 by

Chair Massullo files impactful amendment for at-risk seniors

Three cheers for Massullo!!

I’m delighted to share some fantastic news with you all. Today, we have a reason to celebrate and be grateful for the exceptional work of the Florida House of Representative Education & Employment Committee Chairman Dr. Ralph Massullo, who has filed one of the most positive and impactful amendments for our Class of 2023 at-risk graduates.

Dr. Massullo has filed an amendment to HB 1537 – Education that would postpone for the Class of 2023 the planned increase in the concordant scores and allow the to continue using alternative testing options like the popular Postsecondary Education Readiness Test (PERT) used by Florida Colleges. This is a significant step that will make an impactful difference for the students who have completed all the requirements to graduate but have not yet passed the State Standardized tests required to graduate.

If this amendment and bill are approved by both chambers and signed by our Governor, it will be a game-changer for our students. The postponed increase in concordant scores and the availability of alternative testing options like PERT will provide our Class of 2023 at-risk graduates with an opportunity to graduate on time and pursue their future endeavors.

We are lucky to have someone like Dr. Massullo who understands the difficulties that the students are facing due to the current testing requirements. He has taken the initiative to make sure that the students don’t fall behind because of the challenges they are facing. Dr. Massullo is committed to making a positive impact on the education system and ensuring that every student receives a fair chance to succeed.

We must also thank Senator Blaise Ingoglia, who has been working on this same issue in the Senate for our students. Together with Dr. Ralph Massullo, Senator Blaise Ingoglia is fighting for the rights of our students and ensuring that they have the necessary resources to succeed.

Let’s hope and pray that this amendment and bill are approved by both chambers and signed by our Governor!

 

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CRHS Health Academy Senior Awards Banquet

Posted on April 20th, 2023 by

CRHS Health Academy Senior Awards Banquet

As someone who is a strong supporter of career and technical/workforce education, I always enjoy supporting the Crystal River High School Academy of Health Careers, and attending the Senior Awards Banquet last night was a truly heartwarming experience. What made it even more special was that both of my children are alumni of this program, so I felt a deep connection to the students being celebrated. It was made extra special as it was another group of students that my wife, Thomasine was the Academy’s ELA teach for.

The Academy of Health Careers is an incredible program that provides students with a unique opportunity to obtain industry certifications, state licenses, and hands-on clinical experience. It’s amazing to see how much these students have grown and learned throughout their time in the program.

The Principal, Phil McLeod, set the tone for the night with his warm welcome and heartfelt congratulations. Danielle Doherty-Koch, the Academy of Health Careers Coordinator, also expressed how proud she is of the students and how much she believes in their potential to make a difference in the healthcare industry.

The speeches given by Emily Ivory, the Biomedical Science Senior, and Leanne Savage, the Nursing Assisting Senior and President of CRHS HOSA, were truly inspiring. It was clear that they were passionate about their fields and eager to make a positive impact.

The Outstanding Senior Awards were well-deserved recognition for the students who had worked tirelessly to excel in their chosen healthcare pathways. It was a privilege to witness these students being celebrated for their accomplishments.

Huge shoutout to April Royal and The Phil Royal Legacy Foundation, The College of Central Florida, Megan Fairchild and Hear Scott, CRHS Administration, Faculty & staff, The Academy of Health Careers Family Organization Donors, and The Newton Family, Hosenko Family & Randall Family for supporting these amazing students.

The Senior Awards Banquet was a wonderful celebration of the incredible students in the Crystal River High School Academy of Health Careers Class of 2023. I am grateful to have been a part of it and to have witnessed firsthand the amazing opportunities that this program provides for students.

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Busy and rewarding times

Posted on April 16th, 2023 by

Busy and rewarding times

Over the past few weeks, it’s been a busy and incredibly rewarding time. I apologize for not being able to post my updates more regularly, but I thought I’d take a moment to share some photos and highlights with you.

I attended several School Advisory Council (SAC) meetings, including those at Central Ridge Elementary and Crystal River Primary. SACs, as I’ve shared in the past, are made up of parents, community members, and school staff who work together to support the school’s goals and improve the educational experience for students. It was great to hear from parents and staff about the positive things happening at the school, as well as some areas where they’d like to see more support. The school administrative teams, teachers, parents, and students all shared about the innovative work to engage their students and create a positive educational environment. I was impressed by their focus on student-centered learning at the school.

I also served on the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) Section 2 Appeal Hearings and completed our last hearings for the school year. These hearings are a complex and challenging process, but ultimately, we were able to make fair and informed decisions that I believe will benefit students and schools.

Of course, I also attended a number of Citrus County School Board meetings and workshops during this time. The Board voted and/or gave feedback on different decisions related to policy, budget, and other important issues. It’s always a busy and productive time, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to serve in this capacity. During one of our school board meetings, Citrus County School’s Robotics Team gave a presentation of their 2022-2023 robotic creation used to compete recently in their first major competition in Tallahassee. Students on the team come from CHS, LHS, and CRHS, and they shared about the important STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) skills they are learning building these robotics and programming/coding them to complete different tasks. Our robotics program was the work and passion of Rene’ Johnson, Citrus County School District Director of Federal Programs.

One of the highlights of the past few weeks was attending the Consortium of State School Boards Associations (COSSBA) and Urban Board Alliance (UBA) national conference and General Assembly meeting. I was there representing the Citrus County School Board and serving as the President of the Florida School Board Association. It was COSSBA’s first national conference and General Assembly meeting, which took place in Tampa, Florida. This was significant because Florida, along with several other states, left a national organization in 2021 after facing years of challenges and unified with a number of other states in creating COSSBA. The aim was to establish a truly nonpartisan student-focused organization that supports school board members from across the country. COSSBA now includes over 24 state school board organizations and continues to grow. The conference brought together school board members from across the country to learn from each other and share best practices on teacher retention and recruiting, school safety, and other important topics. It was inspiring to hear from so many dedicated individuals who are working to improve education in their communities.

It is also the 2023 Florida legislative session, and I have been communicating with our legislators and state leaders on proposed legislation. I am always appreciative of our state legislators and leaders who take the time to listen to our concerns. I especially want to thank our local leaders, Representative Ralph Massullo and Senator Blaise Ingoglia, and their respective staff.

Finally, I had the chance to visit several schools in the district. This is by far my favorite thing to do as a school board member. It’s always exciting to see the great work that our teachers and staff are doing to support students. I was especially impressed by the innovative approaches I saw in our schools, such as project-based learning and STEM initiatives.

These past few weeks have been busy but incredibly rewarding. It’s an honor to represent Citrus County students, families, staff, and schools. I’m grateful for the opportunity to serve in this capacity and look forward to continuing to work towards the goal of providing a high-quality education to all students in our district.

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Florida Rep Dr. Massullo speaks to FSBA

Posted on March 16th, 2023 by

Florida Rep Dr. Massullo speaks to FSBA

What an honor it was to have Dr. Ralph Massullo Jr., a member of the Florida House of Representatives, speak before the Florida School Boards Association this morning. As the President of FSBA, it was an honor for me to introduce Dr. Massullo, whose passion for education is evident in his tireless advocacy for broadening career and technical education opportunities and pathways for Florida students. As a dyslexic person, I value Dr. Massullo’s belief that individualized education is vital to student success. This session, Dr. Massullo is the Chairman of the Florida House of Representatives Education and Employment Committee, and he plays a vital role in shaping education policies in Florida. In addition, he also serves on the Appropriations Committee and Health & Human Services Committee. His commitment to advancing education has made him a powerful leader in the state legislature who regularly demonstrates his willingness to work with any legislator. Thank you, Dr. Massullo!

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