LHS/CF Student Wins Leadership 4 Life Fellowship Scholarship

Posted on January 31st, 2013 by Thomas Kennedy

LHS/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 Thomas Kennedy

CRHS 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:

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

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

1^st Place Forensic Medicine
Halie Erwin
Kayla Lewis

2^nd Place Forensic Medicine
Kaycee Williams
Lhea Perry

1^st Place Knowledge Test: Nutrition
Heather Darling

1^st Place Knowledge Test: Pathophysiology
Michael Wilder

2^nd Place Knowledge Test: Pathophysiology
Valerie Thoroyan

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

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

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

2^nd Place Medical Terminology
Crystal Menietti

2^nd Place Prepared Speaking
Christine Marino

3^rd Place Prepared Speaking
McCale Wilson

5^th Place Prepared Speaking
Nick Neuhart

4^th Place Medical Spelling

Maycee Mullarky (should have been 1^st or 2^nd—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 Thomas Kennedy

Galaxy 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 Thomas Kennedy

CRHS 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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Taxing Authorities Response to Duke’s Letter

Posted on January 23rd, 2013 by Thomas Kennedy

Taxing Authorities Response to Duke’s Letter

On January 17, 2013, R. Alexander “Alex” Glenn, Duke/Progress Energy Florida’s CEO sent a letter to Citrus County Commissioners; Citrus County Property Appraiser; Citrus County Schools Superintendent; and the Citrus County Sheriff giving notice that it would not pay more than $19million on its 2013 Property Tax Return. It should be noted that Mr. Glenn’s letter comes long before the Citrus County Property Appraiser has even appraised and/or certified Duke’s or any of Citrus County Property Owners properties. Below is a joint response to Mr. Glenn’s letter.

Joint Letter Title

Dear Mr. Glenn, January 23, 2013

We are in receipt of your letter dated January 17, 2013. The expression of your strong commitment to Citrus County is important and we acknowledge the value of the County’s 50-year relationship with the power companies before Duke. Likewise, we recognize some value in the forewarning of your intention to make another partial payment for taxes in the upcoming fiscal year 2013/14. However, the full assessment of your properties has just begun to establish its value for 2013. Therefore, it is premature for you to unilaterally determine what your taxes should be. It is our intention to complete that evaluation in the coming months in accordance with Florida Statutes and the Florida Constitution.

We further believe it is inappropriate for your company, or any other, to pre-determine a partial payment of a tax bill. Progress Energy/Duke, like every other taxpayer, should pay their fair share, not the share they want to pay. Progress Energy/Duke would not accept a partial payment of a monthly electric bill from their customer, nor should they.
We know you are aware of the potential negative impact this issue will have on our schools, public health and safety and to our quality of life in Citrus County. As we move forward with these discussions, let us remember that your ratepayers, your customers, and even your employees, are our citizens. We all are bearing the cost of your attorneys, our attorneys and the negative impacts to the community.

While it appears that you have made a business decision on behalf of your company, the taxing authorities must protect the interest of this community. You give us no choice but to defend our position. We are committed to working through these issues efficiently and amicably. We appreciate keeping an open line of communication, and we look forward to working with you now, and in the future. It is our sincere desire to have a solid relationship with your organization, and one that is based on trust and is mutually beneficial to all parties involved.

Joint Letter Signtures

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CSMS Honors Inauguration Day 2013

Posted on January 21st, 2013 by Thomas Kennedy

CSMS Honors Inauguration Day 2013

Friday might have been only January 18th, but at Citrus Springs Middle School it was Inauguration Day. All day long Social Studies and American Government teacher, Mr. Shawn Keenan, had his students take part in a mock United State Presidential Inauguration Ceremony to learn and experience first hand what and why this event takes place. Each class had a President, Vice President, Chief Justice and Associate Chief Justice and others that play their roles. The President (student) was sworn in by The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court (another student) by their own name and then the President gave an Inaugural Address which they had personally written. Their speeches were most impressive and greatly enjoyed how each student shared their view of our country and gave their vision of the direction our country needs to take in the next four years.

As the ceremony took place it was hard not to see how serious the students took this exercise. Even when each person walked to and from the podium the manner in which they walked reflected the importance of this event.

After the ceremony Mr. Keenan spoke to the students about different presidential inaugurations in history and told of unique, unusual and important details that took place during past inauguration ceremonies or speeches. One of the stories that the students enjoyed was about the first inauguration of George Washington and how the public came out to hear the voice of our first President, a leader known for his great role in forming our country. When the President elect began to speak and the people eagerly began to listen, the people could not hear a word, because Washington, who had false teeth and had them in for this event, was so concerned his teeth might come out that he spoke very carefully, quietly and softly.

This event surpassed any single political party or ideology but was a learning experience for students about this special and important event that takes place and empowers our President every four years.