Posted on July 29th, 2022 by
Thomas E Kennedy
CRHS NJROTC scuba class begins
These Plankowners are anchors away!
A few months ago a mission began to bring an additional specialized learning and leadership opportunity to the Crystal River High School Naval Science Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps. That opportunity would be for junior and senior level Cadets to become NAUI scuba certified. On Thursday, July 28, 2022, these ‘Plankowners’ began their classroom instruction in the media center at CRHS. (Plankoeners is a Naval term to describe an individual who was an initial commissioned member of the crew.)
This opportunity did not happen easily it took a coordinated effort from CRHS Naval Science Instructors Chief Warrant Officer Liz Rivera and Senior Chief Maurice Perine, Kings Bay Rotarian, and retired Marine Tom Gotterup, the local NAUI instructors, and the CRHS and Citrus School Districts Administrators. In addition, a special significate donation to the CRHS NJROTC was provided for the initial scuba equipment for the program to begin.
Through these efforts, the young Cadets and their instructors will be the Plankowners of this program at CRHS NJROTC. This experience will provide new special skills and expose them to the possibilities of underwater careers and opportunities.
Thank you to all the community members, educators, parents, and other supporters that have made this program possible for our CRHS NJROTC Cadets!
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Filed under: News & Updates
Posted on July 28th, 2022 by
Thomas E Kennedy
Another successful Summer Rise program
What an amazing day participating in “mock interviews” with students at the 2022 Citrus Summer Rise Program listing to students’ stories and providing them insight on how best to promote themselves.
Nearly 100 rising seniors participated in the program this year in Citrus County. The program helps provide students with the necessary tools to be more effective as they plan and develop their post-high school opportunities. This is one of the only programs like this in Florida.
Students learn about College and career options, scholarship opportunities, how to apply for college and complete applications, speak with college students from Citrus about college cultures, how to apply for financial assistance, learn about Job applications and interviewing skills, and Workplace preparation.
I have been honored to be a part of the planning team for these events which are now in their fourth year.
We could not do this Summer Rise program without our strategic community partners. Thank you:
Citrus County Coalition for College & Careers
Citrus County School District
YMCA Suncoast Lecanto
Citrus County Education Foundation
Citrus County Chronicle
College of Central Florida
Withlacoochee Technical College
Florida College Access Network
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Filed under: News & Updates
Posted on July 26th, 2022 by
Thomas E Kennedy
77th Annual Joint Conference planning
Was in Tallahassee on Monday as part of the planning team for the 77th Annual Joint Conference FSBA | FADSS | FSBAA | FERMA | SUNSPRA | FELL.
So grateful to all the associations and educators to contributed to this important planning. Excited about this important conference and training. We will be providing our important new school board member training, chairmanship training, break-out session, and much.
Those that attended the planning and who will have representatives at the conference and training are:
Florida Association of District School Superintendents, Sunshine State Public Relations Association, Florida Educational Risk Managers Association, Florida School Board Attorneys Association, District, Florida Educational Legislative Liaisons, Florida Educational Negotiators.
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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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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
A few months ago a mission began to bring an additional specialized learning and leadership opportunity to the Crystal River High School Naval Science Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps. That opportunity would be for junior and senior level Cadets to become NAUI scuba certified. On Thursday, July 28, 2022, these ‘Plankowners’ began their classroom instruction in the media center at CRHS. (Plankoeners is a Naval term to describe an individual who was an initial commissioned member of the crew.)
