Encouraged by Governor DeSantis education budget priorities

Encouraged by Governor DeSantis education budget priorities

Today Governor DeSantis announced his budget proposal for the upcoming year. I am very encouraged by both the priorities and potential funding. It is earlier in the process but there is reason to be excited!

Extra thanks to Gov. DeSantis for continuing to make workforce education a high priority. We must continue to focus on workforce certification and job-ready training opportunities for our high school students.

A few of the highlights of the proposal include:

  • $600m to boost teacher pay – increase average minimum salary. (This is a $50m increase from last year)
  • $8,000 in per pupil funding
  • $124 increase in base student allocation
  • $421m for school safety & mental health initiatives
  • $15.5m to replace the FSA with the new progress monitoring system. (This will be recurring.)
  • $534m to support workforce education programs (Very excited about this!)

To read the Governor’s press release on today’s announcement with more details visit-

https://flgov.com/2021/11/10/governor-desantis-proposes-boosting-teacher-pay-ending-the-fsa-renewing-bonuses-for-principals-and-teachers-and-expanding-workforce-initiatives/

Reading for CCEF’s First Library

Reading for CCEF’s First Library

“Building Pathways to Literacy”

Nothing better than getting to read to our students. I try and never pass up an opportunity to read to our students. Wednesday I was at Central Ridge Elementary in Ms. Harris’s kindergarten class. Her amazing class was just awesome. Thank you to the Citrus County Education Foundation First Library program for providing these great stories and reading opportunities!

Below is an excerpt from the CCEF website on the First Library program;

“CCEF has used the Pre-k classrooms at our local public schools due to the fact that these students are prescreened based upon learning disabilities and economic need. Statistics show that a child from a middle income home typically enters the first grade with over 1,000 hours of one-on-one picture book reading time with parents or guardians, while a child from a low income family typically averages below 100 hours. By providing these at-risk students with a library of books to take home and call their own at a young age, CCEF and its partners hope to increase those students’ chances of success in reading by the time they reach third grade, leading to greater success throughout their academic lives.

The program encourages reading by coordinating “read-ins” with the classrooms on six designated dates throughout the school year. Following each “read-in,” each student is given a copy of the book to take home for their own “first library.” Students are encouraged to share the book with their parents and inspire a passion for reading nightly in the home.

Recent research shows that there is an undeniable and strong correlation between early childhood reading and long term academic success. One study by the The Annie E. Casey Foundation shows that students who are reading at or above grade level by the third grade are significantly more likely to graduate high school and find a job than those who are behind.

Because of this, having the building blocks and access to reading materials at a young age is extremely critical. Beginning in October 2013, CCEF worked with each of the 22 Pre-Kindergarten classes in the county to help create each student’s “first library,” and Kindergarten classrooms were added during the 2017-2018 school year.”

Academy of Health Careers Doherty-Koch PLTW National Teach of the Year

Academy of Health Careers Doherty-Koch PLTW National Teach of the Year

CRHS’s Danielle Doherty-Koch awarded the Project Lead the Way Robert and Patricia Kern Teacher of the Year Award.

It was an honor for my wife Thomasine and I to be at the Academy of Health Careers CRHS to honor Danielle Doherty-Koch who received the prestigious Project Lead the Way (PLTW) Robert and Patricia Kern National Teacher of the Year Award from among all the 12,000 PLTW programs and teachers nationwide.

Both of our children were students of Ms. Doherty-Koch in the Crystal River High School Academy of Health Career’s PLTW BioMedical Track. She and the whole Academy of Health Careers, and CRHS team played a significate role in their success. This honor is evidence of the high-quality rigorous career preparation programs that are offered in our schools.

Citrus High School also has a PLTW program at the CHS Academy of Computer Science.

(Below is the Citrus County Schools official press release on this outstanding achievement.)

 

CITRUS COUNTY SCHOOLS: Crystal River High School teacher Danielle Doherty-Koch has earned the 2021-22 Robert and Patricia Kern Teacher of the Year award, which recognizes educators who demonstrate a strong record of delivering an inspiring and empowering student experience, expanding access to PLTW programs, and transforming teaching. Danielle was chosen from nominations received from across the country.

PLTW is honoring Danielle for her work in the PLTW Biomedical Science pathway. Danielle has been a teacher at Crystal River High School for 10 years and teaches Human Body Systems, Medical Interventions, and Biomedical Innovation.

This afternoon, district and school administrators, school board members, city dignitaries, and dozens of her biomedical students, attended a small celebration for Danielle to recognize this great achievement.

“Teachers and educational leaders perform one of the most critical functions in our society, and we are proud to work with these outstanding educators who are leaders in their classrooms and across the PLTW network,” said Dr. Vince Bertram, PLTW President and CEO. “Congratulations and thank you for your partnership in a shared commitment to empower our students to thrive in our evolving world even amidst the most challenging and unprecedented of times.” 

Mrs. Doherty-Koch’s PLTW Biomedical Science students are on track to attend college in a medical pathway. Over 100 PLTW Biomedical Science students have completed the program since 2015, and 91 percent have gone to college. A total of 81 students have taken the Biotechnician Assistant Certification Exam with 54 passing, a pass rate of 67 percent.

PLTW recognizes outstanding teachers who inspire, engage, and empower their students by creating transformative learning experiences in their classrooms through PLTW programs.

Congratulations, Danielle!  You’re a shining example of the Citrus County School District.

FAFSA Opens Oct 1

ATTENTION HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS & FAMILIES!

FAFSA Opens Oct 1

Mark your calendars! Complete the FAFSA as soon as possible after it opens on October 1 for the best chance at receiving the most financial aid. http://spr.ly/6183yhVFH

Arrr… ’tis be International Talk Like a Pirate Day

Arrr… ’tis be International Talk Like a Pirate Day

September 19th be pirate natter time

International Talk Like a Pirate Day is a parodic holiday created in 1995 by John Baur and Mark Summers, of Albany, Oregon, U.S., who proclaimed September 19 each year as the day when everyone in the world should talk like a pirate. (Source: Wikipedia)

Need some help talking pirate? Visit The Pirate Translator at https://pirate.monkeyness.com/translate

3rd Annual Citrus County Prayer Breakfast

3rd Annual Citrus County Prayer Breakfast

Thank you to the Citrus County YMCA, David Reed, and the committee for the 3rd Annual Citrus County Prayer Breakfast.
 
State Representative Ralph Massullo was the guest speaker. Dr. Ralph Massullo Jr. shared how he disagrees with those that say we are a ‘divided sociality and nation’, rather he suggested we are ‘a disconnected’ one. He offered three things we can do to become counted again: Respect (love one another), Service (suggesting President Abraham Lincoln’s words, “…of the people, by the people, for the people…”), and gratitude (take time to smile at someone, hug them, express your feelings).
 

I am grateful to live and serve in our great county. Grateful to all those that offered special prayers, especially Col. Curt Ebitz and Wendy Cash who offered special prayers to our students, parents, educators, and schools.

On hand was the Lecanto High School Army Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps Honor Guard to offer the Pledge of Allegiance and presentation of Colors.