Posted on July 23rd, 2022 by
Thomas E Kennedy
This Week
What a wonderful and busy week it has been. I had planned to share about things throughout the week but there just wasn’t time, but I didn’t want the week to end before sharing.
We participated in two annual School Improvement Planning (SIP) days at Central Ridge Elementary and Crystal River High School. I was so encouraged by the frank and important collaborative conversations at both schools. I was pleased with the parent environment and participation at CRHS in the SIP. It is so critical to have our parents and families as an integral part of the development process.
We spent time at our Marine Science Station with the leadership team of Citrus County Education Foundation working on some exciting upcoming projects and events that we will share more about in the near future.
I stopped by our Citrus County Schools Career Fair and got to see in action several new team members being hired. Nothing more exciting than that these days.
On Friday as President of the Florida School Board Association, I chaired a virtual Board of Directors meeting with over 30 members from around the state as we worked together on a number of education issues.
I finished the work week in the evening with Darryl Willie as a “Shark” panelist participating in ampED Leadership Team’s Edu Policy “Shark Tank”. What a fun way to work together to address educational challenges. More on that in the future.
Thank you to all our stakeholders and the education community for working together to meet the needs of our students and community!
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Filed under: News & Updates
Posted on July 10th, 2022 by
Thomas E Kennedy
No-Cost School Immunizations and School Physicals
The Department of Health in Citrus County (DOH-Citrus) will offer no-cost school immunizations from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, July 25 – Aug. 12.
DOH-Citrus will also offer immunizations on Saturday, August 6, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. In addition, $35 school entrance physicals (not sports) will also be available.
Immunizations will be provided on a walk-in or appointment basis. Physicals are available by appointment only. For more information or to make an appointment, call 352-527-0247.
For more information about DOH-Citrus, visit citrus.floridahealth.gov or follow @FLHealthCitrus on Twitter.
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Filed under: News & Updates
Posted on July 4th, 2022 by
Thomas Kennedy
Happy Independence Day
Each fourth of July our great country commemorates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, declaring our independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain.
Our Second President of these United States wrote to his wife, “… July, 1776, will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more.“
As we enjoy the day let us also pause and thank the great men and women who have sacrificed that we might live in this great Republic!
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Filed under: News & Updates
Posted on July 1st, 2022 by
Thomas E Kennedy
Where does school milk come from?
…cows and M&B Dairy
This week I had the opportunity to tour the M&B Dairy plant in Tampa, Florida. M&B Dairy also has a dairy farm in Citrus County off of County 491. M&B Dairy is now responsible for nearly 80% of milk and/or juice products to school districts in Florida.
I enjoy the show “How’s That Made?” and seeing how things are made or produced. I am pretty sure it started as a kid as I loved watching Mr. Rogers show how things were made on Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood. Well, I go see school milk and juice being made firsthand with the CEO/President of M&B Dair, Mr. Dale McClellan. The McClellan family has been part of the dairy business for several generations. Touring the production plant Mr. McClellan would share the history of the dairy but you cannot help but be so impressed with the high-tech methods M&D Dairy uses to ensure the products are fresh, nutritious, and healthy for our kids.
What was also wonderful to see was that while M&D employs nearly 200 people this is still a family business. Mr. McClellan knew each team member’s name and personal story. They would shake his hand or fist-bump him everywhere we went. It was clear this was the culture of the M&B team.
Getting to see and learn how the milk and juice our students in Citrus County and around the state of Florida drink is produced truly gave me a greater appreciation of the care and extraordinary work that goes into meeting the dairy and juice needs of our students. The McClellan team is always looking to improve the products and services and they shared some exciting products they are working on. I cannot wait to have them share more about that in the future.
Thank you, Mr. Dale, Mr. Leon, Ms. Andrea, and the entire M&B team for all you do for the school kids of Citrus County and Florida!
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Filed under: News & Updates
Posted on June 26th, 2022 by
Thomas E Kennedy
Strom finished top 10!
Kasey Strom finishes top 10 at HOSA-Future Health Professionals nation competition for Physical Therapy Skills! She competed against over 150 other PT students. Strom is a rising senior in the nursing pathway at the Crystal River High School Academy of Health Careers. As a junior in the health academy, Strom became state certified as a Certified Nursing Assistant.
In all, over 8,000 students competed in 84 categories at the 2022 HOSA International Leadership Conference National Competition.
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Filed under: Blog Posts, News & Updates
Posted on June 24th, 2022 by
Thomas E Kennedy
Cheering our Future Health Professionals (HOSA) students
Kasey Strom (CRHS) advanced to the 2nd round in the physical therapy skills competition. Hazley, Sriya, Jahnavi, and Kashin (LHS-IB) have also advanced to the next round. Great work ladies and good luck!
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Filed under: Blog Posts, News & Updates
What a wonderful and busy week it has been. I had planned to share about things throughout the week but there just wasn’t time, but I didn’t want the week to end before sharing.
