Posted on September 19th, 2021 by
Thomas E Kennedy
Arrr… ’tis be International Talk Like a Pirate Day
September 19th be pirate natter time
International Talk Like a Pirate Day is a parodic holiday created in 1995 by John Baur and Mark Summers, of Albany, Oregon, U.S., who proclaimed September 19 each year as the day when everyone in the world should talk like a pirate. (Source: Wikipedia)
Need some help talking pirate? Visit The Pirate Translator at https://pirate.monkeyness.com/translate
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Filed under: News & Updates
Posted on September 17th, 2021 by
Thomas E Kennedy
3rd Annual Citrus County Prayer Breakfast
Thank you to the Citrus County YMCA, David Reed, and the committee for the 3rd Annual Citrus County Prayer Breakfast.
State Representative Ralph Massullo was the guest speaker. Dr. Ralph Massullo Jr. shared how he disagrees with those that say we are a ‘divided sociality and nation’, rather he suggested we are ‘a disconnected’ one. He offered three things we can do to become counted again: Respect (love one another), Service (suggesting President Abraham Lincoln’s words, “…of the people, by the people, for the people…”), and gratitude (take time to smile at someone, hug them, express your feelings).
I am grateful to live and serve in our great county. Grateful to all those that offered special prayers, especially Col. Curt Ebitz and Wendy Cash who offered special prayers to our students, parents, educators, and schools.
On hand was the Lecanto High School Army Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps Honor Guard to offer the Pledge of Allegiance and presentation of Colors.
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Posted on September 17th, 2021 by
Thomas Kennedy
Happy Constitution Day
Each September 17th Constitution Day is observed in Citrus County Schools along with schools all over our beloved nation. Constitution Day commemorates the formation and signing of the U.S. Constitution by thirty-nine courageous men on September 17th, 1787.
In 2004 the U.S. Congress passed a law setting aside September 17th as Constitution Day in our nation. The law also requires that at least three hours of instruction must be on the U.S. Constitution during the last full week of classes in September in public schools. For Citrus School instructional calendar this means Founders Month and Constitution Week in Citrus County School is celebrated beginning on Monday, September 16th and running through Friday, September 20th, 2019.
During this week students in each of our 22 Citrus schools will participate in both instruction and/or celebration of our great Constitution. I enjoy visiting our schools during Constitution Day & Week and seeing the many activities our schools and teachers to honor our Constitution and founding fathers.
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Posted on September 14th, 2021 by
Thomas E Kennedy
Governor DeSantis Makes major announcement permanently ending high-stakes testing in Florida
Thank you, Governor Ron DeSantis, for moving away from high-stakes state testing to now become educational diagnosing. Today Governor DeSantis in a press conference shared, “we are crafting legislation to end the FSA”. He went on to say, “This will be the last year of FSA”.
There is much still to learn about the plan, but this is a great announcement, and I am so grateful!!
As many of you know I have been working for many years to help Florida move away from high-stakes assessment tests for our students. Failing to pass one or more of these high-stakes states required tests is a tragic consequence for a student’s lack of test-taking skills or a myriad of other reasons why a student can pass a course, demonstrate mastery of the subject but fail a standardized test. It shouldn’t be a lifelong penalty. This announcement today will be a major step in the right direction.
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Posted on August 20th, 2021 by
Thomas E Kennedy
Citrus joins a conversation on the benefits of Florida College Access Network
Today Citrus Schools helped present with the Florida College Access Network (FCAN) on a webinar for school board members across the state for the Florida School Board Association.
For the majority of our students, FASFA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is essential for high school seniors to fill out in order to receive both merit and income scholarships and grants for post-secondary education in college or career/vocational centers. Citrus County Schools has worked with Citrus County Coalition for College & Careers to help students have opportunities and pathways to paid for post-secondary education in college or career.
FCAN through a grant from the Florida Department of Education provides school districts with free tools and data analysis to help districts better know what students have or have not filled out FASFA applications, and how to help complete them.
Citrus Schools FASFA coordinator Darrick Buettner and I help FCAN Assistant Director Kathy McDonald share about FCAN and why the majority of our graduating students can benefit from completing a FASFA application.
Thank you, Ms. McDonald, Mr. Buettner, and FSBA for providing this learning opportunity.
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Filed under: News & Updates
Posted on August 16th, 2021 by
Thomas E Kennedy
School Visit 8/16/2021
Now more than ever I was so pleased to visit our schools and seeing our students and staff. How powerful it was seeing the smiling faces of the students and the caring manner of the staff. Today I spent time at Central Ridge Elementary School and Citrus Springs Elementary School. I am so grateful to all our educators and leaders who are working tirelessly to meet our students’ academic needs. From the bus drivers, to the paraprofessionals, to the foodservice staff, custodians, front desk persons, SROs & Guardians, substitute educators, technology teams, teachers and school administrative teams, and every person in and out of our schools, we are so grateful to you!
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International Talk Like a Pirate Day is a parodic holiday created in 1995 by John Baur and Mark Summers, of Albany, Oregon, U.S., who proclaimed September 19 each year as the day when everyone in the world should talk like a pirate. (Source: Wikipedia)
