School Board Regular Meeting Recap for Sept 2014

Today’s meeting began with the opening exercise by School Board Member Patricia Deutschman.  Ms Deutschman gave a touching personal reflection of being on the board the day of the events of September 11^th, 2001.  She shared how the board has a regular board meeting schedule and the meet as required by law,  but only long enough to recess the meeting until the next day out of respect of what was taking place at that time. Ms. Deutschman told of the story of her son who was a senior that year and how that day he had senior photo retakes and that every time while taking his picture that they asked him to smile, he couldn’t because of the events occurring that day.  She then shared his senior photo of a caring and solemn young man whose face captured the emotions on our students that day.

The meeting began by Executive Director of Educational Services Mark Klauder recognizing Walter Russell Cook on attaining the rank of Eagle Scout in the Boys Scouts of America and presenting his Eagle project of an outdoor fire place and benches in Whispering Pines Park, Inverness, Florida.

Next Crystal River Middle School Principal Gloria Bishop presented an exciting after school program through a grant partnership with the Citrus County United Way.  Citrus County United Way CEO Amy Meek was on hand to share about the program and about upcoming United Way Read-Ins at our schools.

Next the Citrus County Educational Foundation presented a new fundraising program “Coupons for Classrooms” which will begin September 12th. Pick up a copy (or ten) from your local school or by coming to the CCEF office at the Citrus County School District office at 1007 W. Main St., Inverness, FL.  This coupon book includes over $1,500 in savings from local and national merchants.  All proceeds benefit local public education.  If you or your business would like to help sell this year’s books, please contact Stephen A. Barbieri at 352-246-8352 or for additional information visit: http://www.citruseducation.org/coupons-for-classrooms-on-sale-september-12th/

Also during the meeting the school board passed the final 2014-2015 School Board “balanced” Budget totaling $211 million dollars.  Additional information can be learned by reading Citrus Chronicle Reporter Eryn Worthington article; “School board OKs budget” for Sept. 10^th, 2014 at http://www.chronicleonline.com/content/school-board-oks-budget

The School Board’s next meeting is a School Board Workshop on Tuesday, September 23, 2014.

Comments Off on School Board Regular Meeting Recap for Sept 2014
Filed under: News & Updates

Like it or Not here is Florida’s New State Standards

Florida is introducing new state standards this year. Reading and Language Arts standards are called LAFS (Language Arts Florida Standards). Math standards are called MAFS (Mathematics Florida Standards). Our Social Studies and Science standards are called NGSSS (Next Generation Sunshine State Standards). These are the standards that will be used to guide instruction in Elementary. Please see the links below for more information about specific grade level standards.

http://www.fldoe.org/bii/curriculum/sss/

Which assessments will Elementary take this year?

Florida Standards Assessments (FSA)
English Language Arts and Mathematics

Dates:
Assessment:
Grade Level:

March 2-13, 2015
FSA English Language Arts –Writing Component
Gr 4 – Paper

Gr 5 – Computer

March 23-April 10, 2015
FSA English/Language Arts/Mathematics
Gr 3 – Paper

Gr 4 – Paper

April 13 – May 8, 2015
FSA English/Language Arts

FSA Mathematics
Gr 5 – Computer

Next Generation Sunshine State Standards (NGSSS) Assessments

April 13 – May 8, 2015
FCAT 2.0 Science
Gr 3 – Paper

Grade 3 students will be expected to pass the Florida Standards Assessments in the area of English Language Arts for promotion to fourth grade.

Interested in finding out more about the Florida Standards Assessment? This link will allow you to examine resources and sample assessments visit www.fsassessments.org

**Thanks to Homosassa Elementary School for the new assessment information.

Comments Off on Like it or Not here is Florida’s New State Standards
Filed under: News & Updates

EdCamp Citrus 2014 – only about a week away – Saturday, 9/6/2014

EdCamp Citrus 2014 is only about a week away. If you haven’t signed up yet, make sure you do so as fast as you can. You can head over to http://edcampcitrus.com right now and be registered in less than 2 minutes! It’s really that easy!!

As always, EdCamp Citrus 2014 is FREE and in-service points will be awarded for every session attended for both instructional AND support staff.

Once again, breakfast will be provided and sponsored by Lightspeed. Lunch will also be provided thanks to our new sponsor, AirWatch.

We also have MANY amazing prizes to give away again this year. Attendees at this year’s EdCamp Citrus will have the chance to win one of 2 Chromecasts, one of 4 Ipevo Document Cameras, one of 5 full year memberships to SimpleK12’s Teacher Learning Community (AND we have 4 pairs of blue bunny slippers to giveaway), plus many, many more fantastic prizes.

If you’ve never been to an EdCamp, you need to get to EdCamp Citrus this year. EdCamp is an education conference (not just technology) like you’ve never experienced. The schedule is set by you, the attendees. On the day of the event, there is a blank session board. The attendees fill in that board and present or lead discussions on topics they are passionate and excited about. Everyone has an opportunity to share. EdCamps are very informal. There are no vendor booths, there’s no exhibitor floor and no pressure to sit in on a session that turned out to be something you didn’t expect. If the session isn’t what you thought it was going to be, please get up and go to another session you can learn from.

EdCamp Citrus 2014 is guaranteed to be one of the most informative and fun days of professional development you’ve ever experienced. Join us!

This year, we’re expecting around 200 attendees from all over the State of Florida so be sure to sign up quickly. You can find more information and registration at http://edcampcitrus.com.

Comments Off on EdCamp Citrus 2014 – only about a week away – Saturday, 9/6/2014
Filed under: News & Updates