Archive for News & Updates

A Darling to ALL

Posted on May 22nd, 2019 by

A Darling to ALL

Ray Darling received the “Superintendent’s Making a Difference” award by Superintendent Sandara “Sam” Himmel and the School Board at the October 14th, 2015, School Board Meeting.

Recently Citrus County lost a great caring, passionate person, Raymond “Ray” Darling, at the age of 98, who as profoundly impacted thousands of Citrus County students’ lives.

Ray Darling a retired United States Army colonel, accomplished a great deal during his lifetime, but perhaps the most impacting was to the students of Citrus County, where, Mr. Darling as a Rotarian founded the Citrus County Rotary Upward Bound Student Award Program.  In recent years the Rotary Clubs established the “Ray Darling Upward Bound Scholarship”, providing additional opportunities for Upward Bound alumni to receive college scholarships.

As a school board member, one of my favorite activities is to attend this quarterly award, given to students at the elementary, middle and high school level by their schools for making individual strides and accomplishments. Many students in our school system quietly make significant improvements in their academic and personal lives.  These accomplishments might go unrecognized if not for the Upward Bound Award.  Mr. Darling would share that while many students received awards for academic and athletic accomplishments, many students that might have even worked harder to achieve a personal or academic goal should also be awarded for their hard work. Now each year the award is given to approximately 500 students from grades 4th through 12th who have been selected by the staff of Citrus County schools, both public and private.  Parental attendance has grown to approximately 600 a year. This award is now over 25 years old.

Mr. Darling for years was the master of ceremonies at the event, later in years fellow Rotarian Tommy Thomas would step up to help emcee the awards.  Throughout the years no matter what was happening Mr. Darling would make every effort to attend, including at the most recent Upward Bound Awards this year, you would find Mr. Darling clapping, cheering and telling people about “these young people”. It wasn’t uncommon for Mr. Darling to bring flowers to some of the students he felt worked additionally hard to overcome lives challenges.  Many of these Upward Bound students have become teachers, mentors, and business leaders, and now positively impacting other students lives. If you asked Mr. Darling about that he would say something like, “that is how it is supposed to work”.

Thank you Ray Darling for your passion, vision, and heart. Citrus County students (and we) are better off because of you!

Comments Off on A Darling to ALL
Filed under: News & Updates

Thank you, Rep. Ralph Massullo

Posted on May 8th, 2019 by

Thank you, Rep. Ralph Massullo

Dr. Massullo and his team are our legislative champion for Career Technical, workforce and alternative graduation pathways

With the 2019 Florida Legislative Session over I feel it is important to thank our Citrus County legislative delegation of Senator Wil Simpson and Representative Ralph Massullo for their work this session. These leaders and their staff work diligently to represent Citrus County and make our community and state the best it can be.

While there were some passionate heated issues in education this session, one issue that had great bipartisan support was career, workforce, and alternative graduation pathways. This issue was championed by Citrus County’s very own Rep. Massullo.  His career and workforce education bill HB 7071/HB 7055 which passed this session is expected to be signed by Gov. DeSantis.  As I have stated in the past, I feel this is one of the best education pieces of legislation passed all session long.  These new laws will help improve options and opportunities for our student looking to enter the workforce after high school.  It also begins a foundation for future improvements and opportunities for our students.

More than HB 7071/HB 7055 alone, Rep. Massullo worked behind the scenes on many educational issues including the state educational budget. The state legislature establishes the education funding budget both at the state level and how much will be collected locally.  This year’s state education funding budget was one of the better education budgets in years. In education, we are used to having to do more with less and operating within our means, but there comes a time when you cannot, and programs and/or people can greatly be at risk. That is why this year’s education budget is one we can work with.  Throughout the session, Rep. Massullo and his exemplary staff where in continual contact and worked with us on our concerns and issues.

 

Comments Off on Thank you, Rep. Ralph Massullo
Filed under: News & Updates

CTE and alternantive grad pathways bill heads to Gov

Posted on May 2nd, 2019 by

CTE and alternantive grad pathways bill heads to Gov

This is a great day for Career/vocational education and alternative graduation pathways!! Career/vocational education and alternative graduation pathways bill (HB7071/HB7055/SB770) passes Florida Legislator and heads to Gov. DeSantis for his signature!! This bipartisan supported bill I feel is one of the best educational legislation this 2019 session. I am so appreciative to all the legislators who worked to support this bill. I am most appreciative of Rep. Ralph Massullo who has tirelessly supported career/vocational education since being elected to office! Thank you Rep. Massullo and your outstanding team!

Comments Off on CTE and alternantive grad pathways bill heads to Gov
Filed under: News & Updates

Florida House to make vaping and tobacco use age 21

Posted on April 23rd, 2019 by

Florida House to make vaping and tobacco use age 21

Excellent improvement!

Today the Florida House of Representatives members overwhelmingly approved HB 7119 which raises the tobacco use age to 21 years of age. This includes products like vaping and others. I am so appreciative of this proposed law and I urge the Senate to follow suit. I always want to thank our Rep. Ralph Massullo for his support of this bill both in committee and on the House floor vote.

The House Staff analysis shared that a 2015 study sanctioned by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration concluded that raising the age for tobacco use from 18 to 21 nationally would result in 223,000 fewer early deaths, 50,000 fewer deaths from lung cancer and 4.2 million fewer years of life lost. Florida recent statistics show nearly 25 percent of high schoolers currently vape, in some areas even higher. WTXL in Tallahassee reports; “Laura Corbin with Tobacco Free Florida, the state-funded anti-smoking campaign, says e-cigarettes are especially appealing to young people. ‘Youth are especially attracted to the flavors that these products come in. We also know that these products typically contain nicotine. In fact, one Juul pod contains as much nicotine as 20 cigarettes,’ said Corbin.”

While I never like the idea of limiting personal liberties, we have a real crisis taking place. Citrus School Students sadly have also seen an increase in tobacco, nicotine and vaping products in recent years and this law is much welcomed.

Comments Off on Florida House to make vaping and tobacco use age 21
Filed under: News & Updates

Salsa Arts Camps!

Posted on April 7th, 2019 by

Salsa Arts Camps!

Visual Arts, Music Theater & Drum Camps

COOL Summer Arts for HOT Summer Days

*SALSA WILL BE AT LECANTO HIGH SCHOOL THIS YEAR*

SALSA Visual Arts Camp is designed to provide students (Grades K-9) with a high-quality Visual Arts experience. This intensive one-week camp is scheduled for June 10th – 14th, 2019: 8:30 a.m.— 1:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. The theme this year is: “INTERNATIONAL RHYTHMS”. Grades k-4 will see 4 or 5 instructors a day. They will work with clay, paint, weave, fuse glass, tie dye t-shirts, mosaics, print on silk and many other projects. Their instructors design new and fun projects each year.
Grades 5-9 will work with: clay, try throwing on a potter’s wheel, cook in the culinary lab, make bread, and many other “doable” fun recipes. They will make a wire sculpture, fuse glass, dye shirts, make paper and create other exciting projects.
The classes will be limited in size to maximize the experience.
The cost of the camp is $130.00 and must be received with a completed registration form by May 15, 2019.

*The district will be providing a free lunch to all students who wish to participate. The option will be available on the application.
STUDENTS WILL BE PARTICIPATING IN ART ACTIVITIES THAT WILL STAIN THEIR CLOTHES. They will need to be wearing appropriate clothing.

Click here for more information and application

SALSA Music Theater Camp: Will be from 2:00 PM until 6:00 PM.
They will perform “Jungle Book” on Friday. Musical Theater Camp participants will have a chorus class, a theater class, a technical theater class (props, sets and costume building) and dance instruction.
On Friday, the studentswill perform “The Jungle Book”for their parents and guests.
Cost will be $90.00

Click here for more information and application

New this year!
SALSA Drum Camp: Open to rising 5th, 6th &7th graders only, Drum Camp,will be from 2:00 PM until 6:00 PM after Visual Arts Camp. They will perform on Friday Before the “Jungle Book.” Drum Camp participants will be introduced to all aspects of percussion performance.
Cost will be $90.00

Click here for more information and application

Funds raised from this camp will be used to enhance the Lecanto School of the Arts, art students and other Fine Arts Department needs.

We try to make this camp a unique and fun learning experience. Students get to try new and exciting arts challenges.
Any feedback, questions, suggestions and comments can be directed to Dave Brown (brownd2@citrus.k12.fl.us) or Lee Partin (fredpartin52@gmail.com).

Comments Off on Salsa Arts Camps!
Filed under: News & Updates

Florida House Messengers Page and Messenger Program Experience

Posted on April 1st, 2019 by

Florida House Messengers Page and Messenger Program Experience

Being a Florida House of Representatives Page or Messenger is a long-standing tradition in Florida. The program dates back to 1865. This past week my wife and I had the honor to accompany our daughter, a sophomore at Crystal River High School, to serve as one of the messengers for the 2019 Florida House Pages & Messengers Program. She was sponsored by our local Florida State Representative Dr. Ralph Massullo.

The program gives young people a front row seat into the state legislative process.  Pages and Messengers have different responsibilities while working at our State’s Capital. Pages have the special opportunity to work on the floor of the Florida House of Representatives right alongside legislators, running errands for them. Messengers get the responsibility of delivering mail and packages throughout the Capitol and surrounding buildings. In addition to their individual duties have Pages and Messengers have the opportunity to meet lawmakers, lobbyists, state staff, and constituents working together in the legislative process. Sometimes they may have the opportunity to attend committee meetings and perhaps even catch a press conference. When not on duty Pages and Messengers may have the opportunity to tour the Capitol, Governor’s Mansion, the Florida Supreme Court, the Museum of Florida History, and the Historic Capitol. One of the best experiences for Pages and Messengers is participating in the mock committee meetings and general session in the House Chamber. Students have the opportunity to develop mock bills for consideration and to debate and vote on their and other students’ bills. This helps to put their newfound knowledge of Florida government and governing to use.

During this week Pages and Messengers got to meet with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody, Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Nikki Fried, Florida Speaker of the House Jose R. Oliva and many legislators from all around Florida.

We want to take this opportunity to thank Representative Dr. Massullo for his support of the Page and Messenger Program and for his passion for young people and civic programs like this. We also want to give a special thanks to State Representative Massullo’s outstanding Legislative Aides, Adele Hembree and Dorothy Dilworth, for all their hard work helping the Representative’s sponsored Pages and Messengers, and for all the work they do helping promote the Florida House of Representatives Pages & Messengers program.

These hands-on learning experiences are important opportunities that we should encourage and help our young people take advantage of.  Next Fall consider applying to be a Florida House Page or Messenger. Each House Representative can typically sponsor one Page and one Messenger each session. Applications typically open up in late summer to early Fall. You can also get more information on the program and download an application at the HOUSE PAGE & MESSENGER PROGRAM webpage. In addition, the Florida Senate also has a Page program for high school and young college students.You can learn more by visiting: https://www.flsenate.gov/About/PageProgram

See slideshow of photos below

Comments Off on Florida House Messengers Page and Messenger Program Experience
Filed under: News & Updates

« Previous Page — Next Page »