Rita Stinson, 12, and classmate Sebastian Jones, 12, work together to get familiar with their iPads.
iPads are Deployed!
Today at Citrus Springs Middle School history was made when virtual all students in 7th grade received iPads as part of a district pilot to transition print to digital curriculum.
I feel Eileen Jenkin, CSMS’s Teacher on Special Assignment explain it best when the night before she said, “Ready for a momentous day at CSMS tomorrow. It feels a bit like the night before Christmas…”
I feel honored to have played a small role in this project and over the coming school year I will be regularly updating you to its progress.
Drafting is not just a class at CHS, it’s the road to a career!
Mr. E. H. Lindsey, the Drafting, AutoCAD & Inventor Pro Educator at CHS is warming up for the 2012-2013 school year and shared a re-cap of CHS certification efforts from last year’s 2011-2012 school year.
CHS certified 32 students during the 2011-2012 school year; 9 at the professional level; 23 at the apprentice level. Since 2008, we have certified 52 students at the apprentice level and 152 students at the professional level, a total of 204 total certifications.
In May of 2012, CHS graduated 44 seniors that had obtained their American Design Drafting Association (ADDA) certification. Looking forward to May 2013, CHS has 37 seniors (scheduled for graduation) that has already obtained their ADDA certifications.
According to the ADDA Citrus High School is still the leading school in Florida and the Southeast in certifying mechanical draftsmen for 4 years in a row. CHS are second in the nation for certifying mechanical draftsmen for the four 4 years in a row. Those figures include high school, tech school, private tech schools, community and 4-year colleges. The only school that surpasses CHA record is a school in NJ that has seven instructors teaching Drafting. And they only beat us out by two or three students a year. Mr. Lindsey says, “Give me time and the resources, I will beat them.”
Recap of School Board Workshop & Board Meeting on 8/14/2012
Election Day and a board meeting on the same day!
I was most excited about this meeting as it is the first inaugural meeting that was LIVE streamed on the web to the public. You can also visit http://new.livestream.com/citrusschools/ to view replays of the meetings as well.
Our meetings began with a workshop to first, review proposed revisions to school board policy, 9.50, “Distribution of Advertising Literature and Materials to Students”. Following that, through arrangements made by Board Member Ginger Bryant, the board watched a video and then had a discussion on Jamie Vollmer’s book, “Schools Can Not Do It Alone”. (follow this link to watch some video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KKV8vrygcp0)
During the regular board meeting the board approved the 2012-2013 Agreement between The School Board of Citrus County and the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office for School Traffic Control. They also approved the 2012-2013 Agreement between the School Board of Citrus County and the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office for the School Resource Officer Program.
Lastly, Bruce Sheffield, Coordinator of Health, Physical Education & Special Programs, recognized Citrus County School District as recipient of the Sunshine Medallion Award.
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Some had a “crush” on Winnie from the Wonder Years, girls wanted to be her. Although Danica McKellar is most widely known for her roles in classic television shows like “The Wonder Years” and “The West Wing”, McKellar is an internationally recognized mathematician. Her first New York Times bestselling book, “Math Doesn’t Suck”, was about how to survive middle school math ‘Without Losing Your Mind or Breaking a Nail’, McKellar kicks it up a notch with her latest book, “Girls Get Curves: Geometry Takes Shape”.
If you’re looking for a book for you or your young woman I encourage you to get a copy.
This is an excerpt on why geometry isn’t just for squares, Danica McKellar shares;
“Math just got physical.
Look around— we live in a world of angles and curves. Geometry is responsible for the shape of the house you live in, the cars on the road, the shoes on your feet, and even the book in your hands. Diamond rings wouldn’t be nearly so sparkly without the study of angles, and your favorite dress wouldn’t fit nearly as well without the science of curves. But geometry does more than help us to master the physical world. Doing geometry— especially proofs— trains the logic center in our brains. And logic helps us stay clear and focused, which is helpful in all parts of life!
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For example, imagine you and your brother are in an infuriating argument. Your emotions get the best of you, and you hear yourself saying, “You’re wrong because you’re just — wrong!” . . . which only makes him laugh at you. Or imagine an interview for your dream job, where the boss looks at you and simply says, “So, why should I hire you? You’re not as qualified as the other applicants.” Your cheeks flush as adrenaline shoots through your body. How do you handle it? Well, here’s where you could use logic to focus that surge of energy, charming her with a foolproof argument filled with passion and personality. But without that focus, you might get caught up in the assumption that she doesn’t like you, find yourself flooded with desperation, and end up blurting out, “Because I . . . I really want it. A lot. Please?”
Geometry can help.
Just by doing geometry— especially proofs— we train our brains to think more logically, to avoid making assumptions, and to create airtight arguments. Geometry will not only help you to be a better communicator, but also a more savvy citizen— one who is less prone to being lied to or taken advantage of. And that’s always nice.
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Look, it’s no secret that girls are often labeled as “emotional” and “irrational.” Of course we’re emotional — it’s what gives us energy and passion, and it’s one of the most beautiful, powerful parts of being a woman. But we don’t have to be irrational. No way! Being irrational happens when strong emotions cloud our minds, causing us to say or act in ways that don’t serve our goals. The logic we learn in geometry literally focuses our passion, giving us the power to keep our wits about us, even during emotional whirlwinds.
And this new power comes just in time.
Not only is the math changing and developing, but as young women, so are we. Our bodies go through some pretty massive changes, bringing all sorts of curves . . . and a whole new kind of power. This can be thrilling and scary at the same time— especially since our hormones are on a roller coaster of their own. Talk about an emotional whirlwind! These changes present us with a host of new challenges: How do we celebrate our curves without objectifying ourselves? And with the media plastering airbrushed images of “perfect” women everywhere, how do we find the balance of accepting our bodies while working to keep fit in healthy ways? Video: ‘Wonder Years’ star knows her math (on this page)
Believe it or not, all of these challenges can be made easier when we get good at geometry. Having logic at our fingertips keeps our energy and desires focused, which is crucially important not only for keeping a healthy self-image, but also for transforming our passions into success of all types.
Just as geometry is the tool humans have used to build the world around us since the beginning of time, it’s the tool that will help you build the life you dream of, whatever shape it might take. Go get ’em!”
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CREST is having a benefit concert October 13th at 7:00pm at Curtis Peterson. The purpose of the concert is to enhance our playground equipment in an effort to better meet our student’s physical and academic needs. The group is called the Seven Bridges Road Band. They are a tribute band that plays Eagles music. You will hear songs such as Hotel California, Take it Easy, Lying Eyes and other hits over the past forty years.
The band is a group of well accomplished musicians that have played all over the United States based out of Nashville. Their reviews have been very good. Some have even stated that they sound as good as the Eagles. It will be a very entertaining evening and we hope you can attend. Tickets are $20.00 which is not much more than the cost of a movie with a soda and will be more entertaining.
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!
In addition to the newspaper, BayNews9 covered the story at: http://www.baynews9.com/content/news/baynews9/news/article.html/content/news/articles/bn9/2012/8/16/citrus_middle_school.html
