Posted on November 17th, 2010 by
Thomas Kennedy
“The art of governing consists simply of being honest, exercising common sense, following principle, and doing what is right and just.”
~Thomas Jefferson
On Tuesday, November 16th, 2010 at 4:00pm in compliance with Florida Statute, I was sworn into office as Citrus County School Board member from District 1. I want to also congratulate Mrs. Patricia Deutschman and Mrs. Linda Powers who were re-elected and also sworn in at the same time. Some have asked about the Bible used to be sworn in. It was a Bible my Grandmother gave me when in high school. While I often use a different translation, this Bible holds a special meaning to me because it came from her. Grandma was very special to me.
This was also the Organizational Meeting of the Citrus County School Board. Upon motions made, and approved, Mr. Bill Murray was newly elected Chairman and Linda Powers was elected Vice Chairman. In addition , motions were made and approved that all Regular School Board Business Meetings will be held on the second Tuesday of each month beginning at 4:00 p.m. which is an hour later then previously so that parents and the community can more easily come to the meetings. Any Special Meetings and Workshops will be called as needed.
I would like to thank the staff, teachers, district employees, department administrators, executive staff, Mrs. Himmel, and most especially Miss Linda and Miss Phyllis for making me feel welcome and for helping me through my transition. I want to further thank the current School Board members for reaching out to me and also welcoming me. It is a great honor and privilege to be a part of this School Board which, with the current other four Board Members, has nearly 120 years of combined educational experience.
I want to thank the many family, friends and supporters who came. I also again want to thank those that elected to give me this opportunity to be a public servant.
I have a great deal to learn and understand but I am excited to be in this awesome position to serve our students and community.
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Filed under: School Board Meetings
Posted on November 16th, 2010 by
Thomas Kennedy
On Monday, November 15th, 2010 I attended the Pleasant Grove Elementary (PGE) School Advisory Enhancement Council meeting. This was a well attended meeting with a great mixture of parents, students, staff, educators and school administrators. I always enjoy visiting PGE and seeing what new and exciting things they are doing, this visit was no exception.
That morning the school had an “All Pro Dad” breakfast. It’s a one-hour monthly breakfast held before school where fathers and their children meet with other dads and kids in the school cafeteria. During this time, they discuss a wide range of family topics, spend time together, create fun memories, and are equipped with resources to strengthen their relationship.
The Teacher on Special Assignment (TOSA), Ms. Julie Jones shared programs that PGA would be using with the help of two new Teacher Assistants (TA) which the School Board approved funds for at all our Citrus schools from a federal jobs grant. These TAs will be a term position and are only hired for the current school year. Reading strategies are a big mission for these new TAs. Ms. Jones shared that PGA would use among the many tools and programs a Reading Assistance Program (RAP). The RAP will provide some students with extra assistance to boost reading skills. Students are referred for RAP based on individual needs. During RAP time, students will learn a variety of reading strategies using high interest materials. Strategies and skills include phonics, word recognition, sentence structure, vocabulary, and comprehension with the goal of students becoming independent readers within normal reading ranges for their grade level.
PGE Principal, Lynne Kirby, shared some exciting news about many new PGE Blogs that are being written by administrators and teachers at PGE. These blogs share what the school and teachers are doing in their classrooms and around the school. In addition I was pleased to learn that teachers are taking time to teach and model to students the appropriate way to read, write and interact on the school’s blogs.
Lastly PGE makes history and will be in the record books! PGE will be featured in the 2011 Scholastic Book of World Records for being one of the top 20 elementary schools nationwide (PGE was #19) for having logged the most reading hours ever. OUTSTANDING PGE!!!!
PGE’s next SAEC meeting will be January 24th, 2011!
Related Links:
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Filed under: News & Updates
Posted on November 16th, 2010 by
Thomas Kennedy
I will blog more about this later….
Thank you everyone for today!!!
Thomas
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Filed under: News & Updates
Posted on November 15th, 2010 by
Thomas Kennedy
Hi Friends,
I can not believe that the day is almost here. Tomorrow (Tuesday) November 16th at 4:00pm I will be taking the oath of office to serve as a school board member of Citrus County for the next four years. I ask for your prayers and thoughts as I take on this responsibility.
If you are planning on attending and need directions, the Citrus County School Board meets at the District Office in the Board Chambers located at 1007 W. Main Street, Inverness, Florida 34450. This is the two story build next to WTI and across from Sweetbay’s in Inverness.
Thank you again for all your support!
Thomas
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Filed under: News & Updates
Posted on November 12th, 2010 by
Thomas Kennedy
This is a must read for all Citrus County, CRHS and SCST swimmers and families. Gentlemen we will miss you at the pool daily so make sure to visit often and practice with the team.
~Coach Thomas
——————-
ChronicleOnline
By John Coscia
ORLANDO – Many came in search of gold. But for the three musketeers from Citrus County who call themselves Pirates, this was not about the final destination, or a medal around their necks.
Instead, for Malachi Oakes, Ramon Moreno and Lorne Rodriguez, theirs was the kind of triumph of which Arthur Ashe referred when he said “success is a journey, not a destination. The doing is often more important than the outcome.”
And Friday saw the successful culmination of that journey, which they embarked on four years ago. For it was then that the trio entered the friendly confines of Crystal River High School as newbie freshmen, still searching for their place in life. On that first day none of them really knew each other very well. Oakes was the only real swimmer in the bunch. As for Rodriguez and Moreno, they were just victims of peer pressure from their mutual friend Masumi Palhof.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE…
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Filed under: News & Updates
Posted on November 11th, 2010 by
Thomas Kennedy
Jerry Childress and other veterans shake hands with pupils Tuesday afternoon as they leave Inverness Primary School after a Veterans Day program. Students honored the veterans with songs to thank them for their service to the country.
ChronicleOnline
By Cheri Harris
Students, teachers, veterans and family members crowded into Inverness Primary School’s cafetorium Wednesday afternoon for the veterans appreciation program — a 16-year tradition started by first-grade teacher Sandy Cross and the late Becky O’Connell, a veteran who also taught at the school. She died earlier this year after battling cancer.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE…
2 Comments »
Filed under: News & Updates
“The art of governing consists simply of being honest, exercising common sense, following principle, and doing what is right and just.”
On Tuesday, November 16th, 2010 at 4:00pm in compliance with Florida Statute, I was sworn into office as Citrus County School Board member from District 1. I want to also congratulate Mrs. Patricia Deutschman and Mrs. Linda Powers who were re-elected and also sworn in at the same time. Some have asked about the Bible used to be sworn in. It was a Bible my Grandmother gave me when in high school. While I often use a different translation, this Bible holds a special meaning to me because it came from her. Grandma was very special to me.
