Great job Citrus

Kudos Citrus County parents and educators

Today I have watched teachers and parents helping one another and supporting one another during the transition to remote and virtual learning. I’ve watched teachers help parents, parents help parents, teachers help teachers and parents help teachers, and it’s just day one.

I have seen in just the last several days teachers set up social media groups to support one another and some parents set up support groups to also help one another, like the Citrus County Homeschooling Support Group.  I’ve watched this group positively support one another, their students, their teachers, and their schools, all at the same time. Giving one another this support only helps them, give them comfort that they are not alone, and have the confidence they need to better help their students, but also relieves their teachers and schools who are trying their best to accomplish so much currently to support our kids.

Right now, throughout our state and nation, there aren’t probably any parent, student, or educator, that isn’t in some similar boat of having to now deliver virtual or remote instruction directly to their student at home. While it may look different in different classrooms, schools and districts we are all being charged whether public, private, charter or other schools to meet the educational needs of our students at this moment.  This is no small task. I believe Florida and our great nation will prevail and prosper in the end.  Will we make some mistakes? I am sure we will, but we will learn from them, correct them and be better for it.

Bless you all! Keep up the great work and positive spirit!

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You got this!

Citrus C.A.R.E.S.!

This Monday, students, teachers, and families in Citrus County and much of Florida will perhaps be making the biggest commitment to helping fight the Coronavirus by not just staying home but by continuing their learning and classes remotely/virtually.  Close to home we are calling our plan “Citrus C.A.R.E.S.!” (Continues Academics Remotely to Every Student)

When Florida Governor DeSantis and Florida Department of Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran asked all schools to close in Florida for an extended Spring Break, they also charged school districts to immediately develop an Instructional Remote Learning Plan, now referred to as Citrus CARES.

This was no small tasked and was led by Citrus School Chief Academic Officer, Dr. Scott Hebert and his superior education service team, including educators from the district. To access the Citrus CARES plan, please follow this link: https://bit.ly/2xrBH8M, for an excellent FAQ on the plan and transition please visit: https://bit.ly/2JfAJ1V

From the moment it was announced about transiting to remote/virtual instruction our teachers, support staff and specialists have been planning, developing and learning how best to meet our students’ needs. District Education Technology Coaches Lisa Paprzycki, Brennan McNally and the other tech specialist began almost immediately offering multiple virtual professional development trainings daily, nearly every day while on break, on the essential digital tools our teachers and students will be using both now during this remote/virtual learning and afterward when our students return to face to face instruction. Another essential team at implementing this transition has been our District Network Specialist led by Supervisor of Technology Lance Fletcher. This team has been setting up one new system after another and adding additional services and network access for the near 20,000 different devices to be able to communicate with each other. I would be remised to not mention the vital school level technology specialist and administrators who have been ensuring that each student and family have access to a device and the network. These teams, along with our teachers are the frontline of this monumental transition.

Citrus County Schools has been committed and embraced digital learning for over seven years now and 100% of our students in middles and high school already had take-home iPads. In addition, third through fifth grades had classroom sets of iPads. Further digital integration of textbooks, gradebooks, classroom and take homework had already become a regular part of learning for our students in Citrus County Schools. This put Citrus in a far stronger position than many school districts in Florida and around our nation. In November 2014, the U.S. Department of Education said, “Citrus County is earning high marks from State officials, students, and teachers for ensuring that technology is actually transforming teaching and learning.” Then in August 2016, then Florida Educational Commissioner Pam Stewart speaking to all Citrus County Schools teachers on August 1st, 2016. Stewart shared that day, “What you’re going to do today (in Citrus County Schools), in regards to digital learning, is really incredible, and I can tell you, it’s probably not happening across the state in very many places.” This positive success doesn’t happen by accident, it takes commitment on behalf of our School Board, Superintendent and executive team, education leadership teams, our school administrators, and most especially our teachers and the hard work they are doing each and every school day.

This commitment, experience, and knowledge are never more important than now.  It is also what gives me confidence and comfort that while there will be challenges, I know our schools, teachers, and students will succeed.  The learning and lessons may look different, but the dedication, creative and educational commitment is as strong or stronger today than ever.

As we begin on Monday, I encourage us all to be patient with one another. Superintendent Himmel so appropriately asked this week from our educators, to have the “…highest level of patience, flexibility, and compassion”. I will be in the unique position of going through this with you as I will be both a parent of a student who will be receiving remote/virtual learning, as well as a husband of a teacher who will be delivering remote/virtual learning.  In addition, my son is home from college due to his University transition to remote learning until the end of this semester. All under the same roof—prayers are welcomed.

We can do this Citrus County Schools! You got this!

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Super’s Monday Message

Grateful for our leaders, educators, and outstanding staff

This afternoon our Superintendent Sandra “Sam” Himmel sent an email to our staff which I feel gives a glimpse into the vital and important work and planning going on behind the scenes at Citrus County Schools. As a parent of a student in our schools, husband of a teacher in our schools, and as a school board member, I am so appreciative of Superintendent Himmel’s email where she clarified some concerns, provided assurances and portions. I am so grateful to our Superintendent, her executive staff, the many departments’ leaders and their staff, the school administrators, school staff and teachers who have been working tirelessly addressing the needs of our students and preparing for the transition to virtual instruction on March 31^st.

I encourage you to read the whole letter, but I especially cherished her words of hope and responsibility where she shared, “This is a critical time for the nation and our local community. I believe, as educators, you have the exceptional opportunity to serve as a positive force in helping our students and families get through this difficult time. Conversely, if we do not manage ourselves and our circumstances appropriately, we have the potential for contributing to the frustration and fears permeating throughout our society.”

Superintendent Himmel goes on to encourage our professionals, “As we navigate through this difficult time, it is my expectation that all employees display the highest level of patience, flexibility, and compassion.  Together, and only together, will we overcome this challenge, and I have no doubt that we will be stronger as a result of this experience.”

Thank you, Superintendent, and special thanks to all who have been developing, and will be implementing ‘Citrus CARES!’

Superintendent Sandra “Sam” Himmel sent to all administrator, teachers and Support staff at 3:27 pm on March 23rd, 2020

Good Afternoon,

I am writing with the intent of providing clarity to some misconceptions that resulted from the email I sent Saturday evening.  At this time, all staff members are scheduled to resume their duties and responsibilities on March 30^th, as circumstances allow.  In order to meet this expectation, staff members are not being required to be physically present on school campus. This includes the planning session on March 30^th. However, it is the responsibility of each staff member to obtain all information and directions needed in order to begin the implementation of the district’s Instructional Remote Plan that begins, Tuesday, March 31^st.

Below is an excerpt from our soon-to-be released plan, titled Citrus CARES! (Continuing Academics Remotely to Every Student) Remote Learning Plan, which clearly outlines requirements for staff participation and expectations for the duration of this crisis:

March 30^th is scheduled as a planning day for staff to prepare for remote learning. Staff members are permitted to plan from home or from their school site. If staff work from school sites, staff must adhere to all CDC guidelines. Staff who choose to work from home, must contact their immediate supervisor to ensure the correct time sheet is completed and there is a complete understanding of duties and responsibilities.

Last week, I scheduled a meeting for Tuesday, March 24^th, with a small group (less than 10 people per CDC guidelines) of instructional staff members to present the plan and elicit feedback while it is in draft form.  We will make revisions and updates, as needed, based on the feedback we receive from this group.

We anticipate being able to release the entire plan to all staff by no later than Friday, March 27^th.   Please understand this plan is subject to change as our situation evolves. This is not a situation school districts or government agencies anticipated. In this unprecedented national crisis, we will continue to do everything in our control to take care of our students and staff.

Due to the nature and timing of circumstances, we fully anticipate this situation will continue to be fluid.  Therefore, we ask that you remain patient and understanding as our circumstances evolve.

This is a critical time for the nation and our local community. I believe, as educators, you have the exceptional opportunity to serve as a positive force in helping our students and families get through this difficult time. Conversely, if we do not manage ourselves and our circumstances appropriately, we have the potential for contributing to the frustration and fears permeating throughout our society.

As we navigate through this difficult time, it is my expectation that all employees display the highest level of patience, flexibility, and compassion.  Together, and only together, will we overcome this challenge, and I have no doubt that we will be stronger as a result of this experience.

Sam Himmel
Superintendent
Citrus County Schools

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