For parents the first days of the new school year is often filled with mixed emotions. For some the parents are the most excited for the students to return to school. I am sure that is so that they can continue their learning, of course!
I was able to spend the early hours of the first day of school volunteering at my daughter’s elementary school helping to check in new parents who were walking their students to class for the first time. Because of modern technology and new ways of communications, later that day I was able to share in many many parents and student’s experiences that were filmed live on the first day of school, by watching video pictures and reading about it on Facebook. I felt privileged to enjoy my many Facebook friends’ pictures of their children’s new school outfits. I was also able to read about their first experiences at school and what it was like for them to meet their new teacher for the first time. I can remember meeting some of my own teachers for the first time as a child. Many of these teachers became critical and vital people to my success in life and have had a powerful impact on me. I also had several teachers share how exciting it was for them to meet their new students or begin a new position in our schools.
Change is often challenging for any of us. New school rules can be difficult and even problematic at times. Moving grade levels, especially from elementary to middle, or middle to high school, can be downright scary. For some who will be seniors it is the beginning of their last years in high school which can bring both fears and excitement.
The first few days of school are not without its glitches. Many of the districts leadership team of school board members, the Superintendent and Assistant Superintendents were visiting the schools to offer encouragement and support where needed.
I am greatly excited about this school year. Many firsts are under way. The first one-to-one iPad deployment to a group of 7th grade students will take place this year. A new computerized student lesson planner, grade book and attendance system with student and parent login access is being rolled out this year. New common core learning standards begin being intergraded into the daily curriculum at all school levels. The completion of Phase two at Crystal River High School will take place and much much more.
I so much appreciate assisting parents, students and community members with issues, challenges and information needed. Please always feel free to contact me, stop and ask me questions that you or your child might have. Nothing is too trivial to ask. Let’s work together to make the 2012-2013 school year another outstanding school year in Citrus County!
Opening of local schools a milestone
Saturday, August 11, 2012
THE ISSUE: School has started in Citrus County. OUR OPINION: Brings promise and opportunity.
If you are wondering whether you were seeing mirages of large yellow school buses suddenly popping up on your streets this past week, your vision is fine.
Citrus County schools started Wednesday — a full 13 days earlier than most other school districts in the state. This is because the Citrus County School District is designated as “academically high performing.”
Academically high-performing districts must be A-rated with no F schools, in compliance with class-size laws and have passed the financial audits. Only 18 other districts in the state have that distinction.
The advantage to starting early is teachers can finish the first semester and give their exams before winter break.
It is official! The Citrus County School board will begin streaming its meetings over the Internet next week, superintendent Sandra Himmel said.
The live video stream will be available for public access beginning at the next meeting Tuesday, August 14th beginning at 1:30 p.m. and then again at 3:00 p.m.
In addition to the live video stream, meeting videos will be archived on the same website for later viewing. The live stream is compatible with all current viewing platforms, including Windows, Macintosh, iOS devices (iPads, iPhones) and Android devices.
With the election year upon us I would like to encourage you to register for the Florida PTA legislative action alerts (click here to register for PTA Legislative alerts). Signing up for these alerts means when important educational issues comes up in Florida, PTA will then send you an alert and provide you information as to the situation and where you can help by send a message to those needing to be contacted.
After registering I would encourage you to send a message to Governor Scott and provide him input into the selection of the new Commissioner of Education. (Click here to send message to Gov. Scott) You can just copy the message that PTA supplies or write your own message.
‘Stuff the Duck’ returns to help students with school supplies
Not to be confused with “Howard the Duck” or Foie Gras.
If you’ve never before seen an amphibious armored personnel carrier up close and personal, then Saturday will be your lucky day.
That’s when the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office will have its highly specialized crime-fighting tool, affectionately dubbed “The Duck,” in the parking lot of the Inverness Walmart Supercenter on East Gulf to Lake Highway.
On Aug. 4, from 8 a.m. to noon, the agency will team up with Walmart and the Citrus County School District to “Stuff the Duck” with much-needed school supplies for the county’s children as they head back to classes on Wednesday, Aug. 8th, 2012.
Please help by making sure every schoolchild, regardless of family finances, has the tools he or she needs to be successful in the classroom. Brand-new items, such as pens, notebooks, erasers, glue sticks, highlighters, pencils, crayons, loose-leaf paper, book bags, memo pads, index cards, binders and more, are much appreciated.
First Days of New School Year
