Happy President’s Day

Posted on February 20th, 2023 by

Happy President’s Day

Today, we celebrate our United States Presidents. Presidents’ Day is an American holiday that is observed on the third Monday of February each year. Originally established in 1885 in recognition of President George Washington’s birthday, it is still officially called “Washington’s Birthday” by the federal government.

Presidents’ Day is a day to celebrate all U.S. Presidents, both past and present, who have led our nation through times of war and peace, prosperity and hardship, progress and adversity. It is a day to honor their contributions to our country’s history, culture, and democracy.

Presidents’ Day is also an opportunity to learn more about our nation’s leaders and their legacies. One way to do this is by reading books about U.S. Presidents, such as “The Presidents Club: Inside the World’s Most Exclusive Fraternity” by Nancy Gibbs. This book provides an inside look at the world’s most exclusive fraternity and explores how presidents from Hoover through Obama worked with each other, and sometimes against each other, when they were in and out of power. It is a fascinating read for anyone interested in learning more about the inner workings of the U.S. Presidency and the relationships between its occupants.

So, let us take a moment today to honor and reflect on the important role that U.S. Presidents have played in shaping our nation’s history and to appreciate the sacrifices they have made for the greater good of our country.

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Being Successful in Nursing School Podcast​

Posted on February 15th, 2023 by

Being Successful in Nursing School Podcast​

…challenges facing nursing education and the nursing profession parallel what we are seeing in Career and Technical Education and workforce education

I am excited to share with you a recent podcast interview that I found very insightful. In the podcast “How To Be Successful Through Nursing School“, Kimberly Dunker, a fourth-generation nurse who has earned her  Doctor of Nursing Practice, CNE, CNECL and Dean of Nursing at Pacific Union College, shares her thoughts on the nature of today’s nursing education, how it has been affected by the pandemic, and the impact the pandemic has had on the nursing workforce. I am particularly proud of Kimberly’s accomplishments and dedication to the nursing profession, especially since she also happens to be my niece.

Kimberly’s expertise in nursing education and her experience in the field provide valuable insights into the current state of nursing education. Her comments on the challenges facing nursing education and the nursing profession parallel what we are seeing in Career and Technical Education and workforce education in many other industries. As technology and industry evolve, there is a need to provide education that is relevant to current and future job market needs. This requires collaboration between educational institutions, industry leaders, and policymakers to provide students with the necessary skills and knowledge for successful careers.

During the podcast, Kimberly speaks about how the COVID-19 pandemic has brought many changes to the nursing education landscape. She shares how instructors and students have had to adapt to new online and hybrid models of learning and explains about the benefits and challenges that have resulted from those models.

Kimberly’s work in nursing education is a testament to the importance of collaboration between educational institutions, industry leaders, and policymakers, and the impact it can have on the nursing profession. I highly recommend listening to the podcast which can be accessed on Spotify at https://open.spotify.com/episode/59KFtfTvsHuKUHdv54eEwE or on Apple Podcast at https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/nursedot-podcast/id1653164865?i=1000599009959. Her insights provide valuable perspectives on the challenges facing nursing education and the nursing profession today.

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Veterans in the Classroom Appreciation

Posted on February 13th, 2023 by

Veterans in the Classroom Appreciation

Citrus County Schools’ Veterans in the Classroom program is an initiative that brings former military servicemen and women to schools to speak to students about their military experiences. The program is in its 20th year and has impacted over 100,000 students over the years. Today, the district held an appreciation luncheon to honor the veterans who volunteer their time and efforts to the program.

Over 4,000 students in all of the district’s elementary, middle, and high schools have had the opportunity to hear from one of the 53 veterans involved in the program this year. They share stories about their military service and how it has shaped them into the people they are today. The program is one of the largest of its kind in the nation, and its impact on the students is clear.

At the appreciation luncheon, the veterans were treated to a lunch prepared by the Withlacoochee Technical College Culinary students. The Citrus High School AJROTC Honor Guard presented the colors, and the CHS Chorale’s “Category 5” provided some wonderful entertainment. But the most moving part of the event was when each attending veteran was given the opportunity to introduce themselves, talk about their military service, and share their experience teaching in the Veterans in the Classroom program. It was a touching moment that highlighted the bond between these men and women who had served our country.

One of the Veterans in the Classroom participants was Alex Hebert, son of Citrus County School Chief Academic Officer, Scott Hebert, and School Psychologist Sarah Hebert. Alex, a former U.S. Army infantryman, was one of the youngest veterans to participate in the program this year. Interestingly, Alex also happened to be one of our former church youth kids. It’s heartening to see young veterans like Alex participating in this program and sharing their experiences with the next generation.

The Veterans in the Classroom program is coordinated by Al Balk, District Instructional Specialist for Social Studies K-12, in partnership with the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA).

The Veterans in the Classroom program in Citrus County Schools is a wonderful initiative that provides students with a unique opportunity to learn from those who have served our country. The appreciation luncheon held today was a touching event that recognized the dedication and hard work of the veterans involved in the program. We thank them for their service and for sharing their stories with our students.

If you are a Veteran interested in becoming a participant in the next Veterans in the Classroom program, please contact Mr. Balk at 352-726-1931 ext. 2490 or balka@citrusschools.org or contact Citrus County MOAA – https://moaafl.org/chapters/citruscounty/.

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17th Annual Purple Heart Ceremony

Posted on February 12th, 2023 by

17th Annual Purple Heart Ceremony

As I arrived at the Citrus County Auditorium, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of pride and gratitude. It was the day of the Aaron A. Weaver Chapter 776 Military Order of the Purple Heart’s Seventeenth Annual Purple Heart Ceremony, and I was honored to be in attendance once again.

There was a high presence and participation of Citrus County Schools, its students, educators, and leaders. The students from over 23 schools had made presentations board that lined the walls of the auditorium, honoring our veterans. The displays were beautifully crafted and showed a deep appreciation for the sacrifices made by our service members.

What’s more, students and educators from each of the schools were present at the ceremony, including those from our eSchool and the Academy of Environmental Sciences. It was heartening to see young people engaged and involved in such an important event, and it spoke volumes about the values of our community.

The ceremony began with the Lecanto High School Army Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps presenting the Colors that opened the ceremony, and the Nature Coast Community Band, under the direction of Kathy Thompson, playing the National Anthem. Then, the list of names of fallen heroes was read out loud. I couldn’t help but feel overwhelmed with emotion thinking about the families of these fallen heroes and the sacrifice they had made for our country. It was a poignant reminder of the high price of freedom.

During the event was a special tribute to Richard “Bud” Allen, a US Marine Corps veteran who had passed away. Bud had served proudly in Vietnam with the Marine Corps and was a committed member of Aaron A. Weaver Chapter 776 Military Order of the Purple Heart. He had left a lasting impact on the community, and his presence was deeply missed.

I would like to express my gratitude to Aaron A. Weaver Chapter 776 Military Order of the Purple Heart for organizing this event, the Citrus County Chronicle for their support of the Seventeenth Annual Purple Heart Ceremony, and to The Nature Coast Community Band, directed by Kathy Thompson, for their beautiful performance of the National Anthem. I would also like to thank the Citrus County Fair Auditorium for hosting the event, as well as Citrus Detachment 819 Marine Corps League for their support. Special thanks go to the Citrus County School District and Darrick Buettner, Lecanto AJROTC, the elected officials, veterans, and citizens of Citrus County for their participation and contributions to this important event. Their dedication and commitment to honoring our combat veterans are deeply appreciated.

For additional photos visit: https://bit.ly/3E0iZVc

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Celebrating National School Counseling Week in Citrus County Schools

Posted on February 9th, 2023 by

Celebrating National School Counseling Week in Citrus County Schools

As we celebrate National School Counseling Week, I would like to take a moment to acknowledge the incredible work of our school counselors in Citrus County Schools. This week is dedicated to honoring the individuals who play a vital role in shaping the academic lives and futures of our students.

Our school counselors are truly remarkable individuals. They work tirelessly to support our students, serving as educators, counselors, and advocates. Despite the demanding nature of their work, they always seem to be there for our students, sacrificing their own time and energy to ensure that their needs are met.

As we move closer to graduation, our school counselors become an even more critical component of our students’ academic journeys. They work to ensure that our students are on track to graduate, assist with alternative graduation options, help with college and career planning, verify important information, and provide support and guidance at every step.

I have had the privilege of working alongside many talented and compassionate school counselors in Citrus County Schools, and I am constantly in awe of their dedication and commitment to our students. They truly are some of the most caring, knowledgeable, and hardworking individuals I have had the pleasure of knowing.

So, as we celebrate National School Counseling Week, I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to all of our school counselors in Citrus County Schools for their unwavering commitment to our students’ success. Your work truly makes a difference in the lives of our students, and for that, we are forever grateful.

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2023 Citrus Regional Science & Engineering Awards

Posted on February 8th, 2023 by

2023 Citrus Regional Science & Engineering Awards

Last night’s Citrus County Regional Science and Engineering Fair Awards Ceremony was an electrifying event held at the magnificent Curtis Peterson Auditorium! The audience was in for a treat as the Junior and Senior Division Category awards were bestowed upon some of the brightest and most talented students in the county.

But that was just the beginning, as the night also saw the presentation of the highly coveted specialty awards and prizes, including Tim Herndon Innovating the Future, Emily Densmore Award, Keep Citrus County Beautiful Science Award, and the Ronald J. Worthington Award which included a $1,000 price from Citrus Oral & Facial Surgery through CCEF. These awards were a testament to the incredible achievements and innovations of the students in the science and engineering field. But the night wasn’t over yet! Lecanto High School also made their mark, taking home the coveted Senior Division Award and Crystal River Middle School the Junior Division. These awards were a testament to the incredible achievements and innovations of the students in the science and engineering field.

And the highlight of the night? The guest speaker, Holly Van Sicklen! This brilliant young woman is a shining example of what can be accomplished with hard work and determination. She attended Crystal River Middle School and Crystal River High School before earning her degree in nuclear engineering from the University of Florida. Today, she is one of only nine candidates who have passed the first senior reactor operator license exam for the new nuclear power plants. She has served as a shift manager and shift supervisor, and even represented the United States at the 2019 World Nuclear Association Summer Institute in Romania and Switzerland! Miss Van Sicklen is now proudly serving as the Licensing Manager at the Crystal River Nuclear plant.

We cannot express enough gratitude to the Citrus County Education Foundation and their event partner, Citrus Oral & Facial Surgery, for their unwavering support and generosity in making this event possible. Their contributions created an unforgettable evening, allowing these talented students to shine and receive the recognition they so rightfully deserve.

Congratulations to all the winners and a big round of applause to the Citrus County Education Foundation and Citrus Oral & Facial Surgery for their outstanding support. Keep on innovating, Citrus County!

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