Graduation at Cypress Creek Academy

Detention Center

Of the many ceremonies and events I attended or participated in this past week, the one I want to share with you was the high school graduation ceremony for the Class of 2011, it was at the Cypress Creek Academy and Detention Center.  Yes, for those of you who weren’t aware, we have a public high school at the juvenile detention center in Lecanto.  Seven young men walked and a total of eighteen young man graduated from the Cypress Creek Academy Class of 2011.

As I waited in the lobby to be let in I was not  surprised to see Commissioner Winn Webb walk in.  Commissioner Webb is a former Citrus County Sherriff officer and deputy and he has great love for our community and its young people.  His wife Mrs. Webb worked for many years in our school district and speaks about those years fondly.  I was pleased and honored to share this day with Commissioner Webb.  Gayle Nobles, Coordinator of Special Academic Programs for Citrus County Schools attended the graduation with us.  Ms. Nobles took this opportunity to better orientate me  as to how our Citrus County Schools operate with the corrections center.

The guest speaker was Kevin Fagan, a former football defensive end who played seven seasons (from 1987 to 1993) for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League.  Mr. Fagan played college football at the University of Miami and is a member of the UM Sports Hall of Fame.  Mr. Fagan is also a Citrus County resident and active in youth and community programs.  Mr. Fagan spoke to the young men about making good choices in the future and about overcoming adversity.

The young men that were the Valedictorian and Salutatorian both give emotional and heartfelt speeches challenging each other to continue their  schooling.  I found myself drying my eyes at times.  It wasn’t hard to know how the speeches affected Commissioner Webb because something kept “getting in his eyes” too.

Cypress Creek Academy Principal Deon Copeland shared with the guests the importance of graduating as, “a person who gets his high school diploma or G.E.D. is 70% less likely to re-offend”.

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It was a good meeting with very bad news

School Board Meeting May 10^th, 2011 Recap

This month I have Opening Exercise and have been thinking of something a little special to do. Board member Pat Deutschman suggested at an earlier meeting about doing more to involve our students in the meetings. Following a moment of silence, I arranged for Crystal River Middle School 8th grader Isabella Viola, who won the Bearcat Talent Show for 2011, to sing The Star Spangled Banner.  She did an amazing job and when she was done Ms. Deutschman commented, “I think we just saw a future American Idol”.

The meeting began with packed room due to the many presentations occurring. Superintendent Himmel and School Board Chairman Murray give recognition to the Academic Team for placing 5th in the Finals in Division II for the 2011 Commissioner’s Academic Challenge. Recognition of The Congressional Art Competition was presented as was recognition of The Odyssey of the Mind Teams from Central Ridge/Citrus Springs Elementary and Hernando Elementary for placing 1^st at Districts and then finishing 4^th and 10^th respectfully. Lastly, Pat Simon, Director of Research & Accountability, announced the prestigious National Merit Scholarship Program winners. Superintendent Himmel and School Board Chairman Murray then recognized Paige Cooke, Larissa Gough, Emily Spilios and Priyanka Thatipamala for becoming National Merit Scholars.

A presentation was given by Southwest Florida Water Management District’s (SWFWMD) on the Flying Eagle Preserve/McGregor Smith Scout Reservation Expansion.

At the meeting Superintendent Himmel recommended and the Board approved the Appointment of Administrative Personnel for the 2011-2012 school year. In addition, Superintendent Himmel recommended and the Board approved the Instructional and Support Personnel for the 2011-2012 school year. A last minute item that was necessary to pull from the agenda was the reinstatement of the aide positions at the elementary and middle schools and Office Clerk positions at the high schools. It was necessary to pull this item due to state budget funding that was again cut at the last minute, last week. If anyone would like to talk to me about these matters please feel free to contact me. If you are interested in seeing all of the appointments, simply download and view the CCSB agenda for the May 10^th, 2011 meeting (click here for agenda).

Human Resources Director Jeff Davis and HR Coordinator Linda Waythaler presented and the Board approved the draft of the new “Instructional Appraisal System”. This appraisal system began as a result of Citrus County Schools’ grant with Race to the Top. This system would have been implemented and phased in over a four year period. Unfortunately, SB736, now known as the “Student Success Act”, forces school districts to immediately implement this type of appraisal system which must include 50% of the instructional staff’s appraisal based on student gains/achievement. This meeting’s Board approval is simply the beginning and now the system must be sent to the Florida Department of Education for their approval and/or comments. If you are interested in seeing the new forms and appraisal system, simply download and view the CCSB agenda for the May 10^th, 2011 meeting (click here for agenda).

Executive Director Business Services Ken Blocker, who was approved to be the new Assistance Superintendent Business Services, provided a very grim state educational budget funding update. While we had been optimistically hopeful that the state budget approved would look more like the Florida Senate’s version of the budget which would have meant that Citrus County Schools would have had “only” $5.2 million less in funds for next school year, the recently approved budget which will go to the Governor soon for his signature is much worse. Mr. Blocker said we as a district are now looking at closer to $11 million less in funding for next school year. This means the Superintendent and her staff is having to review things again and again try to make reductions that minimize the impact on students and curriculum. Honestly, it is getting pretty challenging at this point. At our next school board workshop on May 24^th, 2011 at 9:00am the Superintendent hopes to present the beginnings of some of the revised budget planning.

Again, if anyone would like to talk about any of these issues I am more that happy to do so. Please feel free to contact me.

Related Links

• The Star Spangled Banner
• Flying Eagle Preserve/McGregor Smith Scout Reservation
• CCSB agenda for the May 10^th, 2011 meeting
• Race to the Top

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Central Ridge Elementary school musical

Central Ridge fifth-graders take to the stage for ‘Viva la Ridgebacks’

From left: Hunter Goff, Cody Wayman, Jacob Eno and Brad Melanson prepare for their performance in “Viva La Ridgebacks,” the fifth-grade musical that starts at 6:30 p.m. Friday at Central Ridge Elementary School. (photo by Leslie Richardson)

The third annual Central Ridge Elementary School fifth-grade musical titled “Viva La Ridgebacks” will open at 6:30 p.m. Friday in the school’s cafetorium.

This year’s show pays tribute to Elvis Presley. The beginning of the school year marked the 50th anniversary of Presley’s film “Follow That Dream,” portions of which were filmed Citrus County.

“Viva La Ridgebacks” is the third original play written and directed by fifth-grade teacher Natalie Columbus. As is the tradition, the lyrics to several popular songs have been rewritten to accommodate the storyline.

The audience will recognize 21 Elvis hits, including “Jailhouse Rock,” “Heartbreak Hotel,” “Can’t Help Falling in Love,” “Don’t Be Cruel,” “Hound Dog,” “Blue Suede Shoes,” and of course, “Viva Las Vegas”! Students have been co-directed by Christina Touchton, a fourth-grade teacher at CRE. Touchton also choreographed the production along with Alicia Carson, an instructor at Reflections, a dance studio in Lecanto.

The story follows Eddie Preston, played by Bradley Melanson, as his family relocates and he reluctantly becomes the “new kid” at Central Ridge. Audiences will hear the voice of Tara Velez, who co-stars as Ann, a girl who has lost the will to sing since the loss of her mother.

Back by popular demand are the three custodians, played by Jacob Eno, Cody Wayman and Hunter Goff. Their “bluesy” break-time jam sessions are sure to provide an added homage to “The King.” The likenesses of Central Ridge principal Nancy Simon, assistant principal Vicki Lofton and former assistant principal Christopher Bosse will also return as portrayed by Mikaela Haskins, Brenna Towne and Shawn Host, respectively.

Additional cast members include: Hailie Aretz, Alejandro Arevalo, Malou Baas, Alexandrie Bavcevic, John Bavcevic, Paloma Bavcevic, Grace Blyth, Natalie Bologna, Makenna Campbell, Chandler Carney, Sean Carreras, Alyssa Chapman, Allison Cornelius, Vonny Correia, Ashley Ely, Colton Flynn, Rylen Garlitz, Sabrina Gatlin, Ashlee Graham, Laura Haynes, Sarah Heymann, Madison Juse, Abigail Linton, Samantha Marchant, Amber Moore, Kiersten Palmer, Alyssa Perez, Zachary Richardson, Alexis Sanchez, Haylee Snodgrass, Laurel Summa, Destiny Taylor, Lillian Torres, Megan Vann, Liam Wolfe, and Emily Wright.

Doors open at 6 p.m. Suggested donation is $3 per person. Refreshments will be available during intermission.

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