Posted on June 14th, 2022 by
Thomas E Kennedy
Happy Flag Day America!
“God bless our flag and the great men and women that have and continue to defend it!”
On June 14, 1777, the Second Continental Congress took a break from writing the Articles of Confederation and passed a resolution stating that “the flag of the United States be 13 stripes, alternate red and white,” and that “the union be 13 stars, white in a blue field, representing a new constellation.”
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Filed under: Blog Posts, News & Updates
Posted on June 12th, 2022 by
Thomas E Kennedy
6th Annual Phil Royal Legacy 2022 Heart of Gold Gala
Such an honor last night to attend the 6th Annual Phil Royal Legacy Heart of Gold Gala. We are so grateful to the Phil Royal Legacy for all the work they are doing for our students and community.
Congratulations to the 2022 Phil Royal Heart of Gold recipients; Diane Kingree for her amazing lifelong work especially for the Rails to Trials and Pilot Club, Jackie & Bob Dey for their great support of the Phil Royal Legacy and missions, and the other recipient was our dear friend Patrick Simon for his lifelong work as an educator, most recently with the founding of the Citrus County Coalition for College & Careers. The CCCCC this year alone provided $64,900 in scholarships to local students. Weekly Mr. Simon and his team support students in our high schools as additional career & college counselors and mentors to our high school students as they navigate their post-high school planning. Thank you and congratulations, Patrick, Diane and Jackie & Bob!
During the evening Lindsay Tozer and I were also acknowledged for being the 2021 Phil Royal Heart of Gold recipients. Due to COVID, the 2021 Gala had to be virtual, so April was so kind to honor us again last night. Being a Heart of Gold honoree is one of the greatest and more heartfelt achievements in my life. I feel blessed to be included with all these truly great Heart of Gold honorees.
During the evening April Royal shared about the wonderful new Phil Royal Legacy initiative of partnering with Who We Play For to provide cardiac screening to student-athletes in Citrus County. At the Gala were WWPF President Evan Ernst and Board Member, Shawn Sima, U.S. Air Force major (Retired) & Orthopedic Physician Assistant. Evan and Shawn shared very personal and passionate stories about the value of cardiac screening for student-athletes. Thank you to Phil Royal Legacy and Who We Play For.
Thank you to all the attendees, sponsors, supporters, donators, the event Co-Chairs, the Legacy Board Members, and April Royal for not just a very special evening, but for the work that has been done and the work that is to be done.
God Bless Phil Royal Legacy! “ONE TEAM, ONE MISSION, ONE COMMUNITY”
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Filed under: News & Updates
Posted on June 9th, 2022 by
Thomas E Kennedy
Thomas Kennedy was sworn in as FSBA president
“We must stay focused on our students. We always must be kids first.”
On Thursday, June 9, 2022, in Tampa at the Florida School Board Association’s General Assembly Meeting at the FSBA/FADSS 2022 Annual Summer Conference, I was sworn in as the new President of the Florida School Board Association for 2022-2023. It is truly an honor to serve Citrus County School District and in addition Florida in these roles. I am excited about the positive exposure and opportunities we be able to provide Citrus County students and staff.
Thank you Citrus County Chronicle and Georgia Sullivan for sharing this story which includes excerpts from my speech. I shared about two very important people in my life and the work they did that impacted me and others.
CLICK HERE to read the full story!
Thank you to my school board colleagues around the great State of Florida for allowing me this further opportunity to serve our schools, staff, families, and most importantly our students.
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Filed under: News & Updates
Posted on June 7th, 2022 by
Thomas E Kennedy
CHRONICLE: New NASA project to bring Kennedy Space Center to schools
Thank you to Education Reporter Georgia Sullivan and the Citrus County Chronicle for covering this initiative. Read the story at https://www.chronicleonline.com/news/education/new-nasa-project-to-bring-kennedy-space-center-to-schools/article_77dab226-1735-5b1f-b7f8-c7d3e30d9b69.html
I am so excited about this Mission One STEAM initiative and the opportunities that will follow for all of Florida’s students, especially ours here in Citrus County. The initiative’s access to NASA and the Astronauts Memorial Foundation Educational Center will provide extraordinary opportunities for students and teachers. One of the many things I love about the approach of this program is that it looks to interconnect STEM with Career and Technical/workforce education. Many industries, including the aerospace industries, have long recognized the importance of having team members who are knowledgeable technicians who come from all educational paths including technical certification institutions, programs, and our Armed Forces. Citrus County Schools is proud of its role in helping produce some of these experts including former Citrus Schools Alumni Dr. Eric Stewart Aerospace Engineer at NASA. It is my hope that this new program will further expand the desire for more engineers, technicians, and scientists from Citrus County.
A special thank you to Matt Susin, Brevard County School Board for his work launching this project.
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Filed under: News & Updates
Posted on June 3rd, 2022 by
Thomas E Kennedy
Citrus High School Construction Academy on track for fall 2022
CHS Principal Kahler shared today that the CHS Construction Academy continues to be on track for its opening this fall 2022-2023 school year.
This week we learned that a state appropriation budget request for some funding for the Citrus High School Construction Academy for some initial equipment did not get approved. While we would have put it to good use, it will not delay the program opening this fall. We will work with our strategic community organizations, businesses and individuals to fund some of the future equipment and tool needs.
Exciting times are ahead!
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Filed under: News & Updates
Posted on June 2nd, 2022 by
Thomas E Kennedy
Girls State Interview
Thank you, 2022 Girls State Delegate Molly Malek a rising senior from Lecanto High School and Academy of Environmental Science, for interviewing me as her local elected leader in preparation for the 75th Session Florida Girls State on June 7 thru June 15, 2022, in Tallahassee, Florida.
Miss Malek is one of the local Girls selected by the American Legion Auxiliary to represent Citrus County. After graduating high school Miss Malek is interested in continuing her education in political science and/or environmental science.
I have had the great privilege of knowing Miss Malek since she was in elementary school. I have had the honor of coaching her in swimming as a young person and have loved watching her grow as a student and person.
I have done a number of these interviews over the years, and it always impresses me how informed and concerned our students are with their world and community. Miss Malek is going to go on and do amazing things and Citrus County will once again be proud of the successful students they support and cheer.
Thank you, American Legion Auxiliary, for providing this great Girls State opportunity.
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On June 14, 1777, the Second Continental Congress took a break from writing the Articles of Confederation and passed a resolution stating that “the flag of the United States be 13 stripes, alternate red and white,” and that “the union be 13 stars, white in a blue field, representing a new constellation.”
