Turning the Page Together: Celebrating Literacy Week in Citrus County Schools

Throughout Florida classrooms, and more importantly right here in our Citrus County Schools, we will be celebrating Literacy Week from January 26–30, 2026. Literacy Week is a statewide initiative designed to raise awareness about the importance of reading and to remind all of us, students, families, educators, and community members, that literacy is the foundation for lifelong learning. This annual event encourages reading not as a school assignment, but as a daily habit that opens doors, sparks curiosity, and builds confidence.

This year’s theme, “Read, White and Blue: Celebrating 250 Chapters of America,” honors the upcoming 250th anniversary of the United States. It is a fitting theme that connects literacy with history, civic responsibility, and our shared national story. Throughout the week, Citrus County schools will focus on books and literacy activities centered on American history, civic duty, and national landmarks. These lessons go beyond memorizing dates and facts. They invite students to explore ideas such as leadership, perseverance, service, and what it means to be an engaged citizen.

One of the great strengths of Literacy Week is how it brings learning to life. Reading about historical figures, important moments, and everyday people who shaped our country allows students to see history as a collection of real stories, not just chapters in a textbook. Through books, students can imagine themselves in different times and places, ask meaningful questions, and better understand their role in shaping the future.

On Monday, I will have the privilege of reading at Citrus Springs Elementary in Ms. Kristel Frati’s second grade classroom. This will mark the ninth year I have read in her class during Literacy Week, and it remains one of the highlights of my year. Walking into that classroom, seeing the excitement on students’ faces, and sharing stories together is a powerful reminder of why this work matters. It gives me the opportunity to connect with some of our remarkable students and to reinforce that reading is something to be enjoyed and celebrated.

One of the books I am reading with students is George Washington and the General’s Dog by Frank Murphy. This book tells the true story of George Washington’s beloved dog, a gift from a fellow general during the Revolutionary War. It is a wonderful example of how history can be made relatable and engaging for young readers. Through a simple story about kindness, responsibility, and loyalty, students learn about leadership and character in a way that resonates with them.

Literacy Week is organized by the Florida Department of Education through the Just Read, Florida! office, and each year it brings renewed focus to the simple but powerful act of reading together. Whether it is a student discovering their first favorite book, a family sharing a bedtime story, or a classroom diving into a new topic, these moments matter. They shape how children see themselves as learners and how they engage with the world around them.

Literacy Week is about more than one week on the calendar. It is a reminder that reading should be woven into everyday life at school and at home. I encourage families to take time this week to read together, talk about books, and visit your local library. In Citrus County, we are fortunate to have dedicated teachers, supportive families, and a community that values education.

As we celebrate Literacy Week and look ahead to America’s 250th anniversary, let us continue writing strong chapters for our students. By fostering a love of reading, we are helping them build the skills, knowledge, and confidence they need to succeed, not just in school, but in life.

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Forging Futures at Home: Welding Technology Fundamentals in Citrus County High Schools

Choosing to go to school in Citrus County opens the door to an impressive range of exciting and practical opportunities for our students. From healthcare and computer science to construction, culinary arts, agriculture, and now welding, our high schools are preparing young people for real careers and real lives. One of the most exciting developments this year is the return of Welding Technology Fundamentals courses to Citrus County high schools, bringing hands-on, high-demand workforce training directly into our classrooms.

Recently, I had the opportunity to visit Mr. Jesse Wininger’s welding classroom at Citrus High School, and what I witnessed firsthand was nothing short of remarkable. This was not the welding classroom many of us might remember from years past. Instead, students were learning in a high-tech, immersive virtual welding environment that looks, sounds, and reacts like the real thing. It was engaging, impressive, and clearly designed to help beginners succeed while building a strong foundation for advanced skills.

The advanced virtual welding training system places students into lifelike welding scenarios where every action matters. As students weld, they see a realistic weld puddle form in real time. They hear authentic welding sounds and experience sparks, slag, grinding, and cooling, all of which respond instantly to how they move and adjust their technique. This immediate feedback makes the learning process both exciting and intuitive, especially for students who may be new to welding.

What truly sets this system apart is how it teaches correct technique. When students make mistakes, the system visibly shows welding defects, helping them understand exactly what went wrong. At the same time, it reinforces good habits through demonstrations of successful welds and guided lessons. Students are not just practicing randomly; they are learning the “why” behind every movement and adjustment.

Another impressive aspect of the program is how closely it mirrors real-world industry expectations. Students learn proper machine setup by following authentic Welding Procedure Specifications. They select the correct welding process, gas type, gas flow, voltage or amperage, and wire-feed speed, just as professional welders do on the job. Every weld is tracked and scored in real time, measuring key factors such as work angle, travel angle, speed, distance, and position. This clear, data-driven feedback helps students understand exactly what they are doing well and where improvement is needed.

These opportunities reflect a broader vision for career and technical education in Citrus County. As Debra Stanley, Director of Career and Technical Education, shares, “Welding opens doors to high-demand, well-paying careers and helps our students turn their future aspirations into real opportunities.” That vision is clearly evident in the level of engagement, rigor, and confidence seen in these classrooms.

During my visit, I watched as sophomore Adrienne German confidently demonstrated her welding skills. With a smile and a healthy dose of pride, she declared that girls are better welders than boys. Her confidence spoke volumes, not just about her abilities, but about how welcoming and empowering this program is for all students. Welding is no longer seen as limited by stereotypes; it is a skill open to anyone willing to learn and work hard.

Mr. Wininger, an experienced welder himself, explained that the goal of the program goes far beyond classroom success. “My goal is to have students ready to secure welding jobs directly from high school,” he shared. “Of course it will take time being a new program, but I’m fully prepared to ensure these students are employable when they graduate.” To support that goal, students also participate in field trips to industry operations so they understand exactly what the work entails. This year, students have visited the Florida Commercial Diving Institute to learn about underwater welding and E-ONE to see fire trucks manufactured, giving them firsthand exposure to real-world applications of their skills.

In addition to preparing students for the workforce, these tools provide Mr. Wininger with detailed performance analysis for each student. He can show precisely how and why a weld was successful or where it fell short. Students receive immediate, gamified feedback through scoring and charting, which keeps them motivated and focused on improvement. Once a student consistently achieves a score of 80 or above, they are allowed to move on to a real-world welding environment using actual equipment. This ensures safety, readiness, and confidence before transitioning to live welding.

This outstanding program was made possible through a Workforce Development Capitalization Incentive Grant Program awarded to Citrus County Schools. This year, welding is currently available at Citrus High School and Lecanto High School, with plans to expand the program to Crystal River High School. These expansions will ensure that even more students across our county can benefit from this cutting-edge training.

Special thanks are due to our Citrus Schools Career and Technical Education Department, led by Director Stanley, along with her dedicated team, including CTE Specialist and grant writer Dana Sternberg. Their hard work in applying for and securing these grants has directly translated into meaningful opportunities for our students and our schools.

Beyond high school, students can take the certifications they earn and continue their training at Withlacoochee Technical College or other welding programs. Along the way, they also develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and teamwork skills that apply far beyond the welding booth.

Welding Technology Fundamentals is more than a class. It is a pathway. Right here in Citrus County Schools, we are forging futures, one spark at a time.

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Citrus County Graduates at Historic Highs

On Tuesday, January 13, 2026, Governor Ron DeSantis addressed the joint chambers at the opening of the 2026 Florida Legislative Session and highlighted an important milestone for public education. During his remarks, the Governor announced that Florida achieved a record-high statewide graduation rate of 92.2 percent. That is a meaningful accomplishment for students, families, educators, and communities across the state.

Here in Citrus County, the news is even more encouraging.

For the 2024–25 school year, Citrus County exceeded the state average with a graduation rate of 94.1 percent, the highest in our district’s history. At the individual school level, our three traditional high schools posted even stronger results, with a combined average graduation rate of 96.33 percent. Citrus High School led the way at 97.4 percent, followed closely by Crystal River High School at 96.0 percent and Lecanto High School at 95.6 percent.

I could not be more proud of our students, educators, and school leaders for this achievement. Graduation rates do not improve by accident. They reflect years of commitment, relationships, and intentional work by teachers, counselors, administrators, support staff, families, and, most importantly, students who persevere through challenges and stay focused on their goals.

Graduation rates are a powerful indicator of student success because they represent the culmination of many factors. To earn a standard diploma, students must demonstrate academic readiness, meet course requirements, pass required assessments or approved alternatives, and remain engaged through four demanding years of high school. When students cross that stage, it signals not only academic achievement, but also resilience, consistency, and support.

While we rightly celebrate these results, it is also important to recognize that graduation is not the finish line. For many students, it is the starting point for what comes next. Whether a graduate chooses college, the military, direct entry into the workforce, career and technical training, or a combination of these paths, a high school diploma opens doors that might otherwise remain closed. For students still working toward completion through adult education or equivalency programs, meaningful opportunities remain to achieve that milestone, and those pathways continue to matter deeply to our community.

Understanding how graduation rates are calculated in Florida also helps put these numbers in context. The rate most often cited is the four-year adjusted cohort graduation rate. This federally defined measure tracks a group of students who enter ninth grade for the first time and calculates the percentage who earn a standard diploma within four years. Several key factors are included in this calculation. Students who earn standard diplomas are counted as graduates, including those who qualify through approved assessment waivers or concordant scores. Students who earn a GED, whether through a traditional or adult program, are not counted as graduates in this federal measure, even though their accomplishments remain important. Additionally, students who transfer to adult education programs or are placed in Department of Juvenile Justice facilities are not removed from the cohort and may remain counted as non-graduates for graduation rate purposes.

This context makes Citrus County’s progress even more noteworthy. Over the last five school years, our district has demonstrated a significant upward trend in its four-year adjusted cohort graduation rate. After reaching a low point of 84.9 percent in the 2022–23 school year, Citrus County rebounded strongly to reach 94.1 percent in 2024–25. That level of improvement reflects intentional changes, renewed focus, and a shared commitment to student success.

These results speak to the strength of our schools and the dedication of our educators, who work every day to meet students where they are and help them move forward. They also reflect strong partnerships with families and the broader community, which play a critical role in supporting attendance, engagement, and persistence. While I am incredibly proud of these accomplishments, I also encourage Florida to continue expanding alternative pathways to graduation, including broader use of alternative assessments and opportunities for students to demonstrate mastery of standards through portfolios for good-cause graduation, similar to the approach Florida uses with third-grade students.

As a school board member and as a member of this community, I view these graduation rates as both a celebration and a responsibility. We should take pride in what has been accomplished while committing ourselves to sustaining and improving these outcomes. Our goal must remain clear: ensuring every student has the opportunity, support, and encouragement needed to graduate prepared for whatever path they choose next.

Citrus County has shown what is possible when expectations are high and support is strong. Our students have earned this moment, and they deserve our continued belief in their potential.

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