Keep faith… “Kids First”!

Yesterday was the opening School Board meeting for the new Board term. As the new chairman, I shared the board’s theme for the coming term.  As School Board Constitutional officers, we are charged with one of the greatest responsibilities— that is to care for our kids’academic education, and we do not take that responsibility lightly

In Citrus County our students, schools and leadership has had a consistent history of being most successful.  As I begin my ninth year as a School board Member, I am so grateful to serve with each and every one of our board members, our superintendent Sam Himmel, the executive leadership team, and all of our teachers and staff.

We have a lot of changes potentially coming in public education this coming year. People are nervous, concerned, and want to be hopeful.  A new governor, a new Commissioner of Education, a new Speaker of the State House and the new president in the State Senate, just to name a few. There are people that are excited, and there are people that are concerned, wondering and worrying as to the direction of public education in the State of Florida.

As we work with those in the State, let us diligently work together on the things we agree on, collaborate on things we can work together on, and listen to one another on the things we disagree on.  Because we must be successful for our kids and their future.

What gives me hope, is that on our School Board and in our district, we have a consistent expectation to always focus on one vital and important thing, “what is best for Kids”.

While sometimes we might have different views about how to achieve our goals, from our Board, to our Superintendent, the executive team, school administrators, to our classroom teachers, and support staff, we are continually focused on the same positive end results, OUR KIDS!

I have shared small gift with our Board Members, and staff, something they might wear as they make decisions, visit schools and speak with others in the community.  It is a little lapel pins that simply says, “KIDS FIRST”—because that I believe is what this School District does always!

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Kennedy Sworn in for 3^rd Term and chosen Chairman

At Tuesday, November 20^th, 2018, at the annual School Board Organizational Meeting, I was honored to be sworn in for a 3^rd term as Citrus County School Board Member.

I was so humbled to have so many friends and family in attendance, including my 81-year-old mother, Clarine Kennedy, my 7^th grade teacher from Massachusetts, Bill Linthwaite, and my wife and daughter.

I was honored to be nominated and unanimously voted to serve as School Board Chairman for the 2018-2019 term.

I ask for your continual prayers, encouragement and support as we begin a new term and continue the vital work in education.  God Bless our Citrus County Schools!

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PGE SIP and Sensory Room Visit

Following our School Improvement Plan review and visit to Pleasant Grove Elementary I was excited to share some of the photos of the happenings at PGE.  Unfortunately, that got interrupted by Hurricane Michael that devastated the Florida Panhandle. It is a week later and after several days off last week students at PGE are back, along with students throughout Citrus County.  We continue to lift the families of the Panhandle and the thousands of first responders responding to the post Hurricane Michael work.

Principal Janet Tuggle and I sat down to review the SIP and share about PGE.  As Mrs. Tuggle walked me through the PGE SIP and a number of the happenings at PGE I couldn’t wait to start our tour.  In particular, I was excited to visit their “sensory room” that they have developed with PGE Assistant Principal Julie Jones and staff.  (See photo below for a full view of the room.) Sensory Room(s) is often a general term used to categorize a broad variety of therapeutic area specifically designed and utilized to promote self-organization and positive change. The space is helpful in creating a calm, safe space to facilitate and help students refocus.  The area can provide opportunities for engagement in prevention and crisis de-escalation strategies, as well as a host of other therapeutic exchanges.  The room has Legos, puzzles, places to lay down, run, and in general regroup. The staff use the room for variety of situations including self-care/self-nurturance, resilience and recovery.  We are seeing many of our elementary schools incorporate sensory rooms into their schools.  I think many of us can use time in a sensory room.

During one of our walks at PGE a student came up to Mrs. Tuggle to say “good-morning”, there is nothing more warming than to see the caring between a student and educator and this was one of those moments.  As Mrs. Tuggle asked about the student’s day in an effort to “check on them”, I wasn’t sure who was blessed more from the moment, the student or the principal.

I am so looking forward to visiting PGE again very soon.

 

 

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