Saul Speights- School Board Member, athletic official, and friend to all

Posted on January 30th, 2023 by

Saul Speights- School Board Member, athletic official, and friend to all

It’s not uncommon for individuals in the Citrus County community to send photos to me of Mr. Speights in action

I often share about amazing people and programs connected to Citrus County Schools, but today, I want to shine a light on a truly incredible individual from Hamilton County whose impact extends far beyond the basketball court, volleyball court, and softball field.

Saul Speights, school board member, athletic official, and friend to all! This guy is a true powerhouse in the sports community, bringing a wealth of experience, passion, and dedication to every game he referees.

Before becoming an athletic official, Mr. Speights was a coach who instilled in his players the love for sports, the importance of teamwork and fair play. He encouraged them to work together towards a common goal, and the satisfaction of putting in the effort to achieve success. And, let me tell you, that coaching experience sure paid off when he joined the Hamilton County School Board.

Mr. Speights is a true advocate for student-athletes and youth athletes. He knows the importance of sports in a young person’s development and dedicates himself to ensuring that every student-athlete has the opportunity to compete in a safe and fair environment. He’s filling a much-needed shortage of officials and referees, because, without trained officials, we can’t have competitions!

His professionalism, positive attitude, and care for youth are widely recognized. Mr. Speights is known in our Citrus County, over two hours from Hamilton County. It’s not uncommon for individuals in the Citrus County community to send photos to me of Mr. Speights in action at a game, expressing their appreciation for his knowledge of the rules, positive impact on the game, and overall excellence as an official. They rave about his positive demeanor and his ability to keep games fair and enjoyable for all participants.

In addition to his work as an athletic official, Mr. Speights is also a school board member and community leader. He’s an advocate for students and works tirelessly to ensure they receive the resources and support they need to succeed. He’s a valuable member of the community and a true asset to the education and sports communities. I am honored to work with him at the Florida School Board Association where he also serves on the Board of Directors.

Saul Speights is an exceptional individual whose impact extends far beyond his own county. He’s a positive school board member and community leader who brings his passion, dedication, and commitment to excellence to everything he does. I am thrilled to share about this remarkable person, whose contributions to sports and education are truly invaluable.

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HS Students learn about hospital careers at Citrus Hospital

Posted on January 28th, 2023 by

HS Students learn about hospital careers at Citrus Hospital

Today was an incredible day for 42 high school students from all three local high schools as they got a firsthand look at the exciting world of healthcare at Citrus Hospital! HCA Florida Healthcare, Citrus Hospital is committed to addressing the healthcare workforce shortage by providing early exposure, training, and economic opportunities to students. Many of these students are members of their school’s respective HOSA – Future Health Professionals clubs and Sriya Chandrupatla, a junior in Lecanto High School International Baccalaureate program and President of LHS HOSA was the brains behind this idea.

The students were given an in-depth, behind-the-scenes tour of the hospital, including the operating room, cardiac catheterization lab, emergency services, rehab, diagnostic imaging, and plant operations. But in addition to these traditional medical areas, the students also visited and learned about other essential departments, facilities services, and more. They had the opportunity to meet with the Bayflite helicopter and Medflight team on the helipad and learn about the critical role they play in providing medical transport services to the community. This was an unforgettable experience for the students as they got to see the equipment and learn about the work of the flight crew.

These hands-on learning experiences provided the students with a wealth of knowledge about the healthcare industry and helped them make informed decisions about their future careers. The chief executive officer of HCA Florida Citrus Hospital, Lisa NummI, is thrilled to see students getting exposed to the healthcare industry and inspiring them to pursue careers in the field and make a positive impact on our community. She hopes that the exposure will contribute to the development of a well-educated and highly-skilled healthcare workforce in our community.

As a school board member, I was thrilled to have the opportunity to attend and support this great opportunity for our students. It is our hope that the hands-on learning experiences provided today will help students make informed decisions about their future careers and contribute to the development of a well-educated and highly-skilled healthcare workforce in our community.

We would like to extend a special thanks to Shaunda Burdette and the Citrus County Education Foundation, Vandana Chandrupatla, CCSB Director of Secondary Schools Darrick Buetter, CCSB PIO Lindsay Blair, Citrus Hospital Communication Director Katie Myers, LHS, CHS and CRHS HOSA club sponsors, Citrus County Schools, Citrus Hospital CEO Lisa NummI and HCA Florida Healthcare Citrus Hospital for making this day happen. Without their support and dedication, this educational opportunity would not have been possible. We are so proud to provide these opportunities and can’t wait to see these students make a difference in the healthcare industry in the future. Thanks to Sriya Chandrupatla for her initiative that made this possible!

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FRE Title 1 Night: Live, Laugh, Love, and Picnic!

Posted on January 26th, 2023 by

FRE Title 1 Night: Live, Laugh, Love, and Picnic!

Tonight, Forest Ridge Elementary School held its annual Title 1 Literacy Night, with this year’s theme being “Live, Laugh, Love, and Picnic!” It was another great opportunity for our FRE community to come together and promote the importance of reading. The students and families were able to enjoy a fun and interactive evening that encouraged them to make reading a regular part of their lives.

The Forest Ridge Elementary School team did an amazing job putting together this event. From the engaging reading activities to the delicious picnic dinner, everything was perfect. The students were able to participate in fun reading challenges, listen to guest storytellers, and even take home a free book. The families had the opportunity to meet and talk with their child’s teacher and learn more about the school’s reading program.

We want to extend a big thank you to the Forest Ridge Elementary School team for all their hard work and dedication in making tonight’s event a success. It was a wonderful evening filled with laughter, learning, and love. We look forward to next year’s Title 1 Literacy Night and all the other opportunities for our community to come together and support reading.

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Celebrate Literacy Week

Posted on January 26th, 2023 by

Celebrate Literacy Week

Today, I had the pleasure of reading “The Day the Crayons Quit” by Drew Daywalt to Ms. Kristel Frati’s 3rd grade class at Citrus Springs Elementary School as part of Celebrate Literacy Week, Florida. This event is an important part of the “Just Read, Florida” initiative, a statewide reading program through the Florida Department of Education. It is designed to raise awareness about the importance of reading and to inspire Florida’s students and families to make reading part of their daily routines.

As I read the book, I made a text-to-self connection with the students by relating the letters from the crayons in the story to letters I receive as a school board member. The students were so engaged and made many high-order connections. They were fascinated by the idea that even crayons can have their own voice and opinions.

I have to give a special thank you to Ms. Frati for creating such an engaging and interactive reading experience for her students. Reading is a fundamental skill that is essential for success in school and in life. It helps to develop language, comprehension, and critical thinking skills. It also opens up a world of knowledge and imagination, and can be a source of entertainment and enjoyment.

That’s why Celebrate Literacy Week, Florida is so important. It helps to raise awareness about the benefits of reading and encourages families and students to make reading part of their daily routines.

I had an amazing time reading to Ms. Frati’s class today and seeing their excitement and engagement as they listened to the story.

Literacy Week is another great opportunity for us to come together as a community to promote the importance of reading and to encourage students and families to make it a regular part of their lives. I would like to give a big thank you to Ms. Frati for creating such a great reading experience for her students. Happy reading!

 

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Check-out Jake Reynold

Posted on January 25th, 2023 by

Check-out Jake Reynold

Attention all country music lovers! Meet Jake Reynold, a talented former Citrus County School student who is making waves in the local music scene and beyond. Jake writes and records country music. Jake’s unique sound is authentic and true to the roots of country music. He is a true artist and his passion for music shines through in every performance.

Jake is a firm believer in the power of God and his faith is evident in his music. He says “Ain’t no pop country here! God is Great!” He infuses his music with meaningful messages and spirituality, making his performances truly moving and inspiring.

If you’re looking for some real country music, be sure to check out Jake Reynold’s music. You won’t be disappointed! Follow him on social media to stay updated on his upcoming performances and new releases.

Social Media

 

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FSBA leaders attend COSSBA Leadership seminar and training

Posted on January 23rd, 2023 by

FSBA leaders attend COSSBA Leadership seminar and training

As President of the Florida School Board Association (FSBA), I was grateful to have the opportunity to attend the Consortium of State School Boards Associations (COSSBA) Leadership seminar and training, alongside FSBA President-Elect Tina Certain and FSBA Executive Director Andrea Messina. The COSSBA Leadership Seminar is designed for school board members who serve on their state association’s board of directors, who are considered “leaders of leaders” in shaping the policies and direction of their state’s educational system. FSBA is a founding member of this new national nonpartisan consortium, which brings together state school boards associations to share ideas, best practices, and resources.

The seminar featured presentations from experts in the field, including Dr. Jim Johnson, a professor at UNC Chapel Hill, who discussed the demographic headwinds that have enormous implications for America’s future workforce, workplaces, and consumer markets. Another highlight was the presentation by Tim Weisheyer, a former FSBA President, who spoke about the importance of understanding one’s role and responsibilities as a leader. Andrea Messina, along with other Executive Directors, gave an excellent presentation on “Association Leadership Through the Power of Positive Governance” that discussed the role of governance and leadership in driving the success of state school boards associations.

The seminar also covered how to differentiate the work of local school boards and state school boards associations’ board of directors. Attendees learned how to encourage their boards to enhance the mission and vision of the association, build trust and communications with member districts, and foster the development of leadership necessary for the association to maintain the continuity of its work and the trust of its members.

The COSSBA Leadership was an important opportunity to understand the concerns and interests of our member school boards and to develop the leadership skills necessary to effectively represent them.

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