Washington Post: Citrus’s High Schools are AGAIN among America’s Most Challenging High Schools 2017

Posted on May 8th, 2017 by

Washington Post: Citrus’s High Schools are AGAIN among America’s Most Challenging High Schools 2017

Today we learned that all three of our high schools in Citrus County were again recognized by the Washington Post as “America’s Most Challenging High Schools”. In addition, all our high schools also saw and increase in their ranking.

Of the approximately 22,000 high schools in the US, about 2,323 are recognized. Rankings are based on the total number of Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, and Advanced International Certificate of Education tests, and college level coursework given in a school year divided by the number of seniors who graduate in May. The schools that earn this challenge honor are among the top 12% of schools in the US.

The Washington Post has shared with Citrus County School District’s Director of Research, Amy Crowell how Citrus continues to excel nationally. The publisher shared how Citrus continues to gain the attention Washington Post’s for continually being an outlier with student success with the challenges of being in a rural community with a high number of economically disadvantage households.

Sandra “Sam” Himmel, Superintendent of Citrus County Schools stated, “I am honored to serve for such an outstanding school district. Citrus County schools consistently work to provide the most rigorous curriculum and learning opportunities for all our students. This prestigious recognition is a testament to the continued combined efforts of our elementary and secondary school teams.”

Lecanto High School is now ranked 599 out of 2,323 awarded schools (increase of 213 from last year), Crystal River High School is 1,341 (increase of 335 from last year), and Citrus High School is 1,515 (increase of 646 from last year).

Read Superintendent Sandra “Sam” Himmel Press Release – https://thomastalks.org/8IWdb

Follow this link to read more about America’s Most Challenging High School go to: http://apps.washingtonpost.com/local/highschoolchallenge/

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Florida Senate passes education testing bill– moves back to House

Posted on May 5th, 2017 by

Florida Senate passes education testing bill– moves back to House

Time is running out…

On Thursday, the Florida Senate passed a large educational train bill.  While this bill had hoped to significantly reduce the state mandated assessments students must take, in the end the bill only eliminates one assessment, the Algebra 2 end-of-course (EOC) exam.  The bill will also ask the Florida Department of Education to study by January 1st, 2018 in national exams, such as SAT or ACT, can be used as alternatives to the Florida Standards Assessments and other statewide mandated assessments.

CaptureIn the end I concur with Senator Montford when he said on the floor of the Florida Senate Chambers on Thursday, May 4th, 2017, “Is this bill what I wanted? No. I wanted more, but … I know that, at least, this is a good beginning“.

One of those positive parts to this bill is Senator Mayfield and Rep. Ralph Massullo, M.D. bills which will allow students the participate in two seasons of interscholastic high school sports (varsity and Jr. varsity) to have their athletic participation count as their required physical education credit, rather than take an addition P.E. class.  This will provide more equitable options for athlete students, it also provides students with addition elective options and flexibility.

Next the bill will move back to the Florida House of Representatives and House members could make further changes. Identical language must be approved by both chambers before the end of floor sessions on Friday in order for the bill to be sent to Gov. Rick Scott.

Stay tune…

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Superintendent shares about local Impact of Proposed State Budget

Posted on May 4th, 2017 by

Superintendent shares about local Impact of Proposed State Budget

himmelThis afternoon Superintendent of Citrus County Schools, Sandra “Sam” Himmel sent out an email to staff regarding the impending state budget and the most recent figures of how it will impact Citrus County.  If the current State budget passes, Citrus County Schools would see a decrease of $21.99 per student, which equates to a loss of over $300,000.  (see letter below)

Himmel also shared a press release by the Florida Association of District School Superintendents (FADSS) regarding this proposed budget. Follow this link to the FADSS Press Release: https://thomastalks.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/FADSS-05-04-2017.pdf

Superintendent Sandra “Sam” Himmel email to staff

May 4th, 2017

Good Afternoon

I want to make you aware of the current budget being proposed by our Legislators in Tallahassee. Below is a press release from the Superintendent’s Association stating our position in reference to the current proposed budget.

The local impact for us in Citrus County would be a decrease of $21.99 per student, which equates to a loss of over $300,000. Along with this decrease in funding, we have an increase in the District’s contribution to the Florida Retirement System of over $300,000.

As you will read in the press release, we are asking Legislators to increase the funding back to Governor Scott’s and the Senate’s original proposed budget.

There is still hope that the Legislators could reconsider as the budget has not been approved. I am sending this to you to keep you informed of the budget process that is taking place in Tallahassee.

Sam Himmel
Superintendent
Citrus County Schools

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Sparkman Receives Keys to City

Posted on May 2nd, 2017 by

Sparkman Receives Keys to City

18192629_10154295965192257_5739566775070123350_oTwenty-years of military services is a great accomplishment in itself– that on top of twenty-years of educational services to remarkable.  On Sunday, April 30, 2017 the City of Crystal River agreed when, Mayor Jim Farley gave Crystal River High School Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (JROTC) Senior Chief Sparkman, USN (ret.) the key to the City of Crystal River for his 20 years of dedication to the CRHS and the Navy Science JROTC program.

Thank you Senior Chief!

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Thank you Teachers & Staff

Posted on May 1st, 2017 by

teacher_staff

We are so grateful for the commitment each of you have in your work for students, schools and community!

Thank you!

 

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Legislature Tells Schools Boards No Standing Required for Pledge

Posted on April 25th, 2017 by

Legislature Tells Schools Boards No Standing Required for Pledge

Law passed in 2016 session, School Board Disagrees

CaptureA year ago the Florida State Legislature passed a “train bill” HB 7029 by huge margins.  I was against that bill (as I remain today) for many items that were in that bill.  Tuck into HB 7029 at the last minute was language that mandated that local school boards must, “… student shall be informed by a written notice published in the student handbook or a similar publication pursuant to s. 1006.07(2) that the student has the right not to participate in reciting the pledge. Upon written request by his or her parent, the student must be excused from reciting the pledge, including standing and placing the right hand over his or her heart.” This bill was signed into law and is now Florida Statute 1003.44.

The law previously permitted students to opt out of reciting the Pledge of Allegiance but still required students to stand.  Citrus County School’s policy reflected that as well.  I shared about this new change in Florida Statute last year in two articles; https://thomastalks.org/2016/07/06/misleading-report-learn-the-real-facts/ and https://thomastalks.org/2016/03/19/floridas-bright-future-a-legislative-session-review/. Unfortunately, at the time few people seem to me upset about it then.

Today during our School Board Workshop when the policy was presented for review I spoke out again about this new Florida Statute.  The rest of the school board also spoke up and disagreed with this law.

The Board asked the School Board’s attorney, Wes Bradshaw to present alternative language which would meet Florida Statute but emphasizes that students are required to stand for the Pledge, unless requested in writing by the parent or guardian.

If you are interested in watching the video on this part of the School Board Meeting visit; https://youtu.be/BdjRztAqptg

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