Exceptional Children Council Proposed

Posted on July 20th, 2011 by

Exceptional Children Council Proposed

It is no secret that I have a special concern for our students with learning challenges. As I have shared in the past, I am a dyslexic, and I know first-hand the challenges that students with learning disabilities face and I can appreciate what parents and teachers of students with learning disabilities must do to best assist those students in being successful. Because of this I am often approached and contacted by parents, grandparents, family members, teachers and community members about questions they have regarding learning disabilities, ESE, RtI and other related issues they face.

After speaking with Superintendent Himmel and Nancy Haynes, Director of Exceptional Student Education (ESE), I am proposing re-establishing a parent and teacher group for students with learning challenges: Exceptional Children Council (ECC). This group’s mission would be to “assist Citrus County public school parents and guardians in all aspects of the education and development of students with disabilities and learning challenges.” It would be made up of parents, grandparents, guardians, students, teachers, district and school administrators, related support service providers, and a school board representative.

I am hoping that we can meet two to three times a year and offer related events or workshops.

Let me know your thoughts about this group or if you would be interested in attending these meetings and/or events.

Comments Off on Exceptional Children Council Proposed
Filed under: News & Updates

Lt. Phil Royal ‘Runs for the Money’ for Key Center

Posted on July 19th, 2011 by

Lt. Phil Royal ‘Runs for the Money’ for Key Center

Director of WTI law Enforcement Academy

Click here to read Lt. Royal and other runners perspectives.

Solitude, sacrifice, and suffering. words novice runners participating in the Key Training Center’s annual “Run for the Money” use to describe the week-long 180-mile journey from the steps of the state capitol building in Tallahassee to Lecanto, Florida. Why are these volunteer runners subjecting their bodies to the agony of U.S.19’s hard, hot, and lonely stretches of asphalt in 90-plus degree heat? Runners help the Key Center tell the story not in words but in a way more meaningful, by showing that each leg-pounding step of this grueling run is small in comparison to the struggles mentally challenged individuals face every day. Their lives can be difficult but their spirits remain undaunted, never complaining and always giving their best, setting an example of how to live our lives.

The run originated in July of 1976 by the Center’s Executive Director Chet Cole to bring awareness to the battles and triumphs of the developmentally disabled and to advocate that all people deserve to live their lives with dignity and respect. Averaging 30 miles a day, over six days, the run is equivalent of seven Boston Marathons. Celebrating its 34th Anniversary it has accumulated 6,120 miles due to the dedication and endurance of many who run for the Center. Cole, who logged in over 6,000 miles, retired his running shoes in 2000.

The community compassionately relates to the difficulties of the run and to the stories which are told through each step. From the first run which raised $6,000.00 to the total contribution now totaling over $3,000.000, people have embraced the Run for the Money through their growing understanding, support, and generosity.

Excitement, anxiety, and celebration. words used throughout the run to describe the emotions among the developmentally disabled adults who turn to the Key Center to learn, work, play, and live. They understand in their simplistic way that the run is a victory for them celebrating and recognizing their accomplishments. As they do each year, many will wait for the runners to make the final stretch into the campus with cheers, tears, and hugs.

The run begins Monday, July 19th and ends with a huge community celebration on Saturday July 24th at the Key Training Center’s Lecanto Campus.

(excerpt from: www.keytrainingcenter.org/info/rftm)

Comments Off on Lt. Phil Royal ‘Runs for the Money’ for Key Center
Filed under: News & Updates

In Review for July 17th, 2011

Posted on July 17th, 2011 by

picture Highlights of Regular School Board Meeting for July 12th, 2011

Highlights  of Regular School Board Meeting for July 12th, 2011 Our meeting began with presentations  by the 6th grade 4-H Tropicana Public Speaking Citrus County Contest winners: First place: Ethan Kennedy, Citrus Springs Middle School, “What It’s Like Being a TK” Second place: Fallon Crowell, Citrus Springs Middle School, “The 411 on False Advertisements” Third […Click link above for more]

picture EdCamp Citrus 2011: Registration is now open!!!!!

EdCamp Citrus 2011 Attention Citrus educators…   EdCamp Citrus 2011 will be taking place on October 15h, 2011 from 8:00am to 4:00pm at Citrus High School in Inverness.  They have some great sponsors already lined up and it is shaping up to be an amazing event. Please join, Registration is now open at www.edcampcitrus.eventbrite​.com!!!!! EdCamp Citrus […Click link above for more]

picture MEET YOUR TEACHER & ORIENTATION DATES

MEET YOUR TEACHER & ORIENTATION DATES 2011-2011 Wednesday August 3rd Thursday August 4th Friday August 5th ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS CSE 4:00 TO 6:00 PM CRE 4:30 TO 6:30 PM CRP 3:00 TO 6:30 PM HOM 4:00 TO 6:00 PM FCE Kindergarten 9:30 to 11:00AM PreK, 1st through 5th 10:00 to Noon FRE PreK & Kindergarten 3:00 […Click link above for more]

picture No… Not Yet!!

No… Not Yet!! “Saw this today (July 6th) at Wal-Mart…  This is just too early and too wrong!” ~Thomas

 

 

picture Gov. Scott’s Prized Schools Earn F’s

“I read this news today and I think “the data” speaks for itself…” ~Thomas Gov. Scott’s Prized Schools Earn F’s Back in January, just two days after being sworn in, Governor Rick Scott and his advisor Michelle Rhee flew to Miami to enthusiastically praise what turned out to be an F school. “We have to […]

picture USA Today Editorial: Education in Finland

“As I have shared before, I am not a believer that American public schools should follow practices of other schools in other developing countries.  We as Americans are very unique and among many of our great beliefs and cultures is that we believe in schooling ALL children.  We also fund our public schools using local […Click link above for more]

  ChronicleOnline: School district earns “A” sixth year in a row

School district earns “A” sixth year in a row By Cheri Harris, Thursday, June 30, 2011 – Citrus Chronicle Citrus County School District officials heard some good news Wednesday night. That’s when Florida’s Department of Education released school grade information. For the sixth year in a row, the district earned an A — as did […Click link above for more]

picture ChronicleOnline: Building up, tearing down at local high school

Building up, tearing down at local high school Construction moving at Crystal River By Cheri Harris, Tuesday, June 28, 2011 CRYSTAL RIVER — What had been the largest classroom building at Crystal River High School is now part of the school’s past. Last week, construction crews used heavy equipment to knock down the 500 Building […Click link above for more]

picture WSJ: U.S. Teachers’ Hours Among World’s Longest

The Wall Street Journal: U.S. Teachers’ Hours Among World’s Longest 1,097: Average number of hours U.S. teachers spend per year on instruction. Students across the U.S. are enjoying or getting ready for summer vacation, but teachers may be looking forward to the break even more. American teachers are the most productive among major developed countries, […Click link above for more]


Comments Off on In Review for July 17th, 2011
Filed under: News & Updates

Highlights of Regular School Board Meeting for July 12th, 2011

Posted on July 17th, 2011 by

Highlights  of Regular School Board Meeting for July 12th, 2011

Our meeting began with presentations  by the 6th grade 4-H Tropicana Public Speaking Citrus County Contest winners:

  • First place: Ethan Kennedy, Citrus Springs Middle School, “What It’s Like Being a TK”
  • Second place: Fallon Crowell, Citrus Springs Middle School, “The 411 on False Advertisements”
  • Third place: Jake Salute, Crystal River Middle School, “The Power of a Single Word”
  • Honorable Mention: Austin Danna, Lecanto Middle School, “the Devil That Lives With Me”

This was extra exciting for me as my son Ethan won first place and his friend and fellow CSMS Falcon Fallon Crowell took second place.  I am so proud of all of these young people.

One of the major decisions that was made at the board meeting was to finalize the sale of property for a future new elementary school adjacent to Pine Ridge along County Road 486.

The Board unanimously approved the purchase of this property.  Some have asked why the Board would purchase property for a future school during a budget crisis and when we currently have declining enrollment. It is important to understand that  no “Ad valorem taxes” (property taxes) will be used in the purchase the property.  The revenue/taxes used to purchase this property are coming solely from impact fees paid by new residential homes built in Citrus County.  No property taxes are paying for this land. One of the several reasons I support this purchase is that we are purchasing the property at a good price during a time when property prices are low.  The Board has had two appraisals done over the last 12 months and we are purchasing the land for 25% less than the most recent appraisal. It is important to understand that the Board and district cannot just build a school when it wants to.  The Board must get approval to build a school and prove its need by showing current schools at capacity with increasing enrollment to the Florida Department of Education. By having this land purchased already, the process of building a school will go faster once a new school is deemed necessary by the DOE.  The Board and Superintendent have modified the Long Range Capital Improvement Plan and pushed this school construction out to about five to ten years in our Long Range Plan

Also at the meeting the Board was asked to give direction to staff on options to improve the parent loop and parking at Inverness Middle School.  After a presentation of several potential options, the Board approved the least costly improvement which was to use only the existing IMS property as the existing parent loop and parking was improved and modified.  IMS has historically been a challenging school campus for traffic flow. While I believe the direction we are going will be an improvement at IMS, it will still not be a perfect solution.

During Board Member comments I took this opportunity to speak about my desire to bring back the ESE Council or, as I am suggesting calling it,  the “Exceptional Children Group”,  a group for Exceptional Student Education & Learning Challenged Students Parents, Guardians and Community.  Look for me writing more about this in a subsequent blog.

Our next meeting is a School Board School Tour of CRHS, CRP & LHS beginning at 10:00am on Tuesday, July 26th, 2011 followed by the  3:00pm Budget Workshop & Special Meeting.

Comments Off on Highlights of Regular School Board Meeting for July 12th, 2011
Filed under: School Board Meetings

EdCamp Citrus 2011: Registration is now open!!!!!

Posted on July 13th, 2011 by

EdCamp Citrus 2011

Attention Citrus educators…   EdCamp Citrus 2011 will be taking place on October 15h, 2011 from 8:00am to 4:00pm at Citrus High School in Inverness.  They have some great sponsors already lined up and it is shaping up to be an amazing event. Please join, Registration is now open at www.edcampcitrus.eventbrite​.com!!!!!

EdCamp Citrus 2011 is an unconference, inspired by similar events being organized around the country. The goal of edcamp Citrus is to bring educators together to discuss technology that works. It’s a conference for educators, by educators, and the presenters are the people that show up to the event. If you want to present, you just write your name on the board and you present for an hour. If people get something out of it, that’s great. If not, participants are encouraged to vote with their feet. So the event is as good as the people that show up to participate.

While there will be organizers for this event, we only provide the basic framework. Teachers and educators like you show up and decide what is going to be discussed. No longer are you stuck with sessions that have been determined months ahead of time in which you have no input. If you do not see something that is helpful, create your own session and share what you know best. Feel free to contact the organizers of EdCamp Citrus at any time with questions or ideas:

Email: edcampcitrus@gmail.com
Twitter: @edcampCitrus

Comments Off on EdCamp Citrus 2011: Registration is now open!!!!!
Filed under: News & Updates

MEET YOUR TEACHER & ORIENTATION DATES

Posted on July 8th, 2011 by

MEET YOUR TEACHER & ORIENTATION DATES

2011-2011

Wednesday August 3rd Thursday August 4th Friday August 5th
ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS
CSE 4:00 TO 6:00 PM CRE 4:30 TO 6:30 PM CRP 3:00 TO 6:30 PM
HOM 4:00 TO 6:00 PM FCE Kindergarten 9:30 to 11:00AM PreK, 1st through 5th 10:00 to Noon
FRE PreK & Kindergarten 3:00 to 4:00 pm 1st through 5th 4:006:00 pm
HER PreK & Kindergarten 3:00 to 4:00 pm 1st through 5th 4:00 to 6:00 pm
IPS 3:30 to 6:00 pm
LPS PreK & Kindergarten—2:00 pm 1st through 5th 3:00 to 6:00pm
PGE New to PGE 3:30 to 4:00 pm All others 4:00 to 6:00 pm
RCE 4:30 to 6:30 pm
MIDDLE SCHOOLS
CSM 3:30 TO 6:30 PM IMS 3:00 TO 6:00 PM
CRM 2:30 TO 5:30 PM
LMS 3:00 TO 6:00 PM
HIGH SCHOOLS
CHS 8:00 to Noon Open House August 23rd 5:30 to 7:00 pm
CRH 9TH & 10TH 5:30 TO 7:30 PM CRH 11TH & 12TH 3:30 to 5:00 pm
LHS 3:00 TO 6:00 PM AES 6:30 PM College of Central Florida
CREST 2:00 TO 6:00 PM
Ren. Center 3:00 to 6:00 pm

Comments Off on MEET YOUR TEACHER & ORIENTATION DATES
Filed under: News & Updates

« Previous Page — Next Page »