CRMS Career Day 2013

Posted on February 3rd, 2013 by

CRMS Career Day 2013CRMS Career Day 2013

On Friday morning I stopped by Crystal River Middle School to attend the school’s annual Career Day for the CRMS 8th graders.  CRMS has successfully hosted this event for many years. I remember my wife (who is a former “Bear Cat” teacher) being a part it 20 years ago.

This important student activity gives students an opportunity to begin their exploration of high school class options as they begin to transition and prepare for their high school years and subsequent Careers.

Students spent approximately eight to ten minutes learning from individuals in the careers of EMS & Paramedic; Commercial Driving; Coast Guard; Medical; Print & Photo Journalism; Naval Science; CSI & Forensics; Wild Life Officer; Pharmacy; Law; Business CEO; and Banking Administration. These professionals talked to the students about what type of skills, education and knowledge they would need to become eligible for working in the specific area that they were interested in.  The students were also given the opportunity of trying out some of the tools that they might use if they were to join those work fields.

I so much appreciate the businesses and companies that gave up of their time and tools, and provided their staff to spend this important event with our students.  It is these experiences that often encourage and motivate middles students as they begin their challenging high school years.


From Crystal River Middle’s Career Day, posted by Crystal River Middle School on 2/02/2013 (93 items)

























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(Crystal River Middle’s Career Day)

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Recap of School Board Workshop for January 2013

Posted on January 31st, 2013 by

CSMS iPad Visit 01-29-2013Recap of School Board Workshop for January 2013

About once or so  each  year the school board has a traveling board meeting which takes place at the schools.  This week’s workshop was one of those meetings.  I truly enjoy these traveling workshops because we get a chance to collectively see our districts programs, schools and students together and can ask questions and communicate in the “Sunshine” and outside of the traditional board chambers.

We began our day at Citrus Springs Middle School to observe the 7th grade iPad pilot in progress that began this school year.  I have talked about this one-to-one (one device to one student) pilot program before.  This pilot is essential to the technology initiatives and mandates for our students, including; new common core instruction, computer based testing for all students by 2014, transitioning from tradition to digital by 2015 and including a program that includes job ready technology skills.  I have spent time regularly at CSMS monitoring the progress of this initiative and I was most pleased for the students and teachers to have a special opportunity to demonstrate their successes to the school board.  As I have said before this initiative isn’t simply about putting iPads in the hands of students, nor is it just about having digital textbooks.  This initiative is about a formative and substantive change of the manner in which curriculum is provided and instruction is done.  It is about individualized curriculum for students.

Next we headed to Crystal River High School to tour the new Freshman Academy, Media Center,  Health Academy and Business Academy.  This school feels more like a college campus than that of a high school and at its Media Center is a cathedral for education.  The great thoughts behind each and every room were well planned and executed.  I am so pleased about the programs that will continue to develop and grow for the students of Citrus County.

We returned to Inverness to begin our traditional workshop format where we discussed revisions and new policies, the Code of Student Conduct and the 2012-2014 school budget.  The board agreed that for the 2013-2014 school year, in order to balance the budget, we need to prepare for a $2million dollar reduction in the budget.  A menu to cuts that in previous years were discussed but basically none were ever acted on.  The board asked the staff to look for other options to reduce the budget that would offer a significant cost savings while directly impacting the least number of students.  A follow up budget workshop is planned for February 26th.


From School Board Visit to CRHS Health Academy, posted by Citrus County School District on 1/29/2013 (26 items)








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(School Board Visit to CRHS Health Academy)

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LHS/CF Student Wins Leadership 4 Life Fellowship Scholarship

Posted on January 31st, 2013 by

Wade McDonald and familyLHS/CF Student Wins Leadership 4 Life Fellowship Scholarship

I had the great honor of attending a surprise announcement and celebration for Wade McDonald who was selected one out of only five students in Florida for the Leadership 4 Life Fellowship through the Take Stock in Children program.

I encourage you if you haven’t already to read Chronicle reporter, Mike Wright’s article, “Leader for life”.  Click here to read story.


From Take Stock in Children – Wade McDonald, posted by Citrus County School District on 1/31/2013 (12 items)




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(Take Stock in Children – Wade McDonald)

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CRHS Health Academy Students Have Success at HOSA Regionals!

Posted on January 28th, 2013 by

2013 CRHS Health Academy students at HOSA RegionalsCRHS Health Academy Students Have Success at HOSA Regionals!

Congratulations to Crystal River High School Health Academy student on their great success at the Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) Regionals competitive in Ocala this past weekend.

These competitive events build a foundation of confidence and skills that will last a lifetime in their professional career. Students gain confidence in their abilities when they improve their health care skills in preparation for competition.

We wish them well as they prepare for State Competition in April with hopes for a trip to HOSA Nationals in Nashville, TN  this June.

The CRHS  winners are:

1st Place HOSA BOWL
Rachel Gomez
Holly Head
Lauren Lofley
Megan Wells

1st place: Creative Problem Solving
Haley Brown
Bekah Hoffman
Kayla Murray

1st Place Forensic Medicine 
Halie Erwin
Kayla Lewis

2nd Place Forensic Medicine
Kaycee Williams
Lhea Perry

1st Place Knowledge Test: Nutrition
Heather Darling

1st Place Knowledge Test: Pathophysiology
Michael Wilder

2nd Place Knowledge Test: Pathophysiology
Valerie Thoroyan

1st Place Nursing Assisting  (field of 40)
Jennifer Laufman

 2nd Place Nursing Assisting  (field of 40)  
Rebecca Miller

1st Place Public Service Announcement
Anna Lane
Laura Wade
Lara Wolf

2nd Place Medical Terminology
Crystal Menietti

2nd Place Prepared Speaking             
Christine Marino

3rd Place Prepared Speaking
McCale Wilson

 5th Place Prepared Speaking
Nick Neuhart

4th Place Medical Spelling

Maycee Mullarky  (should have been 1st or 2nd—there was an error)

A Special thanks to Katherine Sleath (courtesy  corps) and Joseph LaFleur (burn victim) for their help in the CPR/First Aid competition.

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Galaxy of Stars 2013

Posted on January 28th, 2013 by

Galaxy of Stars 2013Galaxy of Stars 2013

Last Thursday we attended the annual Galaxy of Stars to recognize our 2014 Teachers of the Year and the 2013 School-Related Employees of the Year.  This annual event is presented by the Citrus County Educational Foundation with sponsored support of the Suncoast Schools Federal Credit Union, Bright House Networks and Crystal Automotive.

This event is about honoring these special people who have been selected by their peers and schools.  These Honorees often express how they are not just there for themselves but are their representing their peers in their respective professions.  It is challenging times for all those that work in and around public education.  This evening was a time when the worries and stresses of education could be set aside to give tribute and praise for the work they do each day for the students of Citrus County public schools.

We thank each of the honorees for all the acts both big and little that they do each day.

Citrus High School 12th-grade English/language arts teacher Nancy Smith displays her Teacher of the Year and Rock Crusher Elementary School data/guidance secretary Jamie Lewis is hugged Thursday night as she is named School-Related Employee of the Year. Congratulations as you continue on to represent Citrus County in your respective state competitions.

Below are some of the wonderful pictures taken by Citrus School District, Chris Gangler.


From Galaxy of Stars 2013, posted by Citrus County School District on 1/28/2013 (166 items)











































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(Galaxy of Stars 2013)

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CRHS Health Academy’s Becca Miller take Silver at HOSA

Posted on January 25th, 2013 by

HOSA Silver AwardCRHS Health Academy’s Becca Miller take Silver at HOSA

Congratulations to Crystal River High School Health Academy student Becca Miller for winning ‘Silver’ in the ‘Nursing Assist’ event at the Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA)  regionals competitive in Ocala.  Miss Miller competed against students from 40 others around the state.

Well done Becca! Your future patients will be in good hands!

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