Posted on September 12th, 2022 by
Thomas E Kennedy
COSSBA’s Inaugural Urban Boards Alliance Symposium
This past week I had the honor as president of the Florida School Board Association (FSBA) to help represent Florida’s delegation at the inaugural Consortium of State School Boards Associations (COSSBA)’s Urban Boards Alliance (UBA) Symposium.
This was my first time representing Florida at this level and being able to learn and collaborate with local education leaders from across the country. UBA provides many resources to help further support school board members in creating educational strategies and sharing best practices that address and improve the educational outcomes of students within challenging environments.
This conference was additionally special because less than a year ago COSSBA and UBA did not exist. Florida and several other states after years of challenges with another national organization left that organization and unified with a number of other states in the creation of COSSBA. The expectation from Florida and other states was to create a truly nonpartisan student-focused organization that supports school board members from across the country. COSSBA now includes nearly 23 state school board organizations and continues to gain additional states. It’s why my heart was so warmed when on the last day I sat with two school board members from different states who had attended the same type of events with the other organization, they shared how far more appropriate this organization, its focus, and its nonpartisan approach is. They expressed how this event was focused on students’ needs and student outcomes and how we as board members can best continue to meet the needs of our students and families.
Florida was represented by a small but powerful delegation led by UBA founder Dr. Steve Gallon, Miami Dade school board member and vice chairman. In addition, President-Elect Tina Certain, Federal Committee Chairperson, Bev Slough, FSBA CEO, Andrea Messina, Duval Board Members Warren A. Jones, Lori Hershey and me attended. Dr. Gallon is always a powerful and eloquent speaker and presenter. Whether you are shaking your head in an affirmation or he is causing you to reflect cannot help but respect him and his work.
While at the UBA symposium we gained important resources to address student achievement barriers, student mental health, and other areas of current interest and need among school leaders. Thank you to UBA leadership for their work putting together this important event.
Comments Off on COSSBA’s Inaugural Urban Boards Alliance Symposium
Filed under: News & Updates
Posted on September 11th, 2022 by
Thomas Kennedy
9/11 Remembrance Day
On this date in 2001, the United States was attacked by terrorists who turned airplanes into weapons. The first two attacks destroyed the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center Complex in New York City. In Washington D.C. the Pentagon building was also targeted and severely damaged. In a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania a fourth attack was thwarted by the passengers who gave their lives to prevent further destruction.
On this day it is right and fitting that we remember the many Americans that died in these attacks, and those families that suffered those great losses. We ask that we all observe a moment of silence to honor those who lost their lives in these attacks and those who risked and in many cases sacrificed their own lives to help others.
Comments Off on 9/11 Remembrance Day
Filed under: News & Updates
Posted on August 9th, 2022 by
Thomas E Kennedy
ATTENTION PARENTS!
iPad insurance is now available for purchase and it’s less expensive than in years past, only $19.50 for $0 deductible on your child’s iPad. Please visit smarttechins.com/citrus to enroll online OR enroll by phone at 877-307-6777.
Click on image to enlarge!
Comments Off on ATTENTION Citrus County School District PARENTS!
Filed under: News & Updates
Posted on August 3rd, 2022 by
Thomas E Kennedy
Girl Scout Cookies & High Tea Event
Far more than just cookies!
What a great time participating in the Girl Scout Cookies & High Tea Event put on by the Girl Scouts of West Central Florida and Commissioner Ruth Schlabach. It was a powerful opportunity to learn more about the Girl Scouts and their goals for Citrus County.
The Girl Scouts are 2.7 million strong—1.9 million girls and 800,000 adults who believe in the power of every girl to change the world. Currently, there are over 200 Girl Scouts in Citrus County programs, but they working to expand that to 800 by 2025.
Through the Girl Scout Leadership Experience—a collection of engaging, challenging, and fun activities like earning badges, going on awesome trips, entrepreneurship, exploring science, getting outdoors, and doing community service projects. These age-appropriate opportunities are for those in Grades K-1, Brownies. Grades 2-3, Juniors. Grades 4-5, Cadettes. Grades 6-8, Seniors. Grades 9-10, and Ambassadors. Grades 11-12.
If you are interested in becoming in Girl Scouts today visit- https://www.gswcf.org/en/about-girl-scouts/join.html
Thank you, Commissioner Schlabach, and all the leaders that made the event possible and for your work to promote Girl Scouts!
We are excited about the future growth for Citrus County girls and families and for opportunities to help continue to promote these amazing ladies!
Comments Off on Girl Scout Cookies & High Tea Event
Filed under: News & Updates
Posted on August 3rd, 2022 by
Thomas E Kennedy
Welcome Back Teacher Celebration!
Thank you to all the team members that put together our welcome back to teachers yesterday! Special thanks to the Citrus County Education Foundation and their community partners for sponsoring this event. Because of CCEF and their partners once again no district funds funded this event.
Shout out to some of our Cheerleaders from CHS, LHS and CRHS who came and cheered our teachers are they arrived!
During the keynote presentation which resembled a football celebration, Superintendent Himmel honored our Citrus County School Guardians for their work protecting our students and staff.
It is always a special day participating in the district-wide teach welcome back event and seeing everyone in place at one time. I have had the honor of knowing many of these professionals for over 30 years. Some have taught my children, some either my wife or I have worked with, and a growing few I have known since they were in elementary school as students.
Thank you, teachers, for your commitment to our students, their families and your schools. Our prayers and support go with you are you begin the 2022-2023 school year!
Comments Off on Welcome Back Teacher Celebration!
Filed under: News & Updates
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!
Comments Off on CRHS NJROTC scuba class begins
Filed under: News & Updates
This past week I had the honor as president of the Florida School Board Association (FSBA) to help represent Florida’s delegation at the inaugural Consortium of State School Boards Associations (COSSBA)’s Urban Boards Alliance (UBA) Symposium.
