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Citrus Springs Elementary

#BETTERTOGETHER

October 2025 Parent Newsletter

Posted Date: 10/03/25 (01:46 PM)


Logo featuring children standing before an open book, with a soaring bird above.

Citrus Springs Elementary School

Monthly news and updates

October 3, 2025
School logo
Image of the front of the school

Hawk families,

October is off to a busy start and promises to be an exciting month at Citrus Springs Elementary! Our students have been working hard, showing growth both academically and socially. It’s been a joy to watch them settle into routines, build friendships, and embrace learning each day.
We also want to give a big thank you to everyone who joined us for our Title I Parent Night last night! It was a fantastic evening filled with fun, learning, and community. Families enjoyed engaging literacy activities and high-energy Minute to Win It style games that brought lots of smiles and laughter. We loved seeing students and families learning and playing together, and we appreciate your support in making the night such a success! (see pictures below)
As we approach the end of the first grading period, please remember that report cards will be sent home on October 17th . This is a great opportunity to celebrate your child’s progress and talk about goals for the next quarter. If you have any questions or would like to discuss your child’s development in more detail, please don’t hesitate to reach out to their teacher. Open communication between school and home is key to student success.
Thank you for your continued support and involvement. We’re proud of all the hard work our students have put in so far and look forward to an even stronger second quarter!


Julie P Jones
Principal
Children and adults play a game with colorful foam cylinders in a classroom.
Smokey Bear and a man sit in front of a classroom of children.
 

Recognizing our Literacy Micro-Credential Achievers

All Tier 3 reading interventions are provided by teachers possessing a Florida Reading Endorsement or Florida Reading Certification.

Additionally, we would like to express our gratitude to the following staff members for earning their Literacy Micro-Credential and for their commitment to providing Tier 3 interventions. These staff members are providing Tier 3 interventions under the supervision of one of our Florida Reading Endorsed or Florida Reading Certified Teachers.

Lynette White
Michele Wilson

A group of children sit on the floor, engrossed in reading books in a library.
A woman and a young boy smile while working on a school project together.

Title I News

Research continues to confirm that parents are a vital part of the educational process and of the educational experiences of their children. When school personnel and families work together, relationships are developed that support learning and children are provided an enhanced opportunity for success in school and throughout life. As a parent, you play an important role in your child’s education. We encourage parents to be involved as much as possible. Gain information and be part of the decision making process by joining advisory committees at the school and district level.
 
For further information, the Citrus County Schools’ Parent Involvement Plan is available at:

 
A fall festival announcement with autumn leaves and text.
Our PTO is already working on planning for our Fall Festival. Please mark your calendars for November 14.

Due to popular demand, PTO will be placing another order for this year's school spirit shirts. Orders are due by October 17th.
 

Red Ribbon Week

The last week in October, we’ll be celebrating Red Ribbon Week, a nationwide campaign to promote healthy, drug-free lifestyles. Our theme this year is Life is a Puzzle, Solve It Drug Free, and students will participate in fun, themed dress-up days and age-appropriate discussions about making safe and respectful choices.
Red Ribbon Week is a great time to talk with your child about the importance of taking care of their body and mind, making positive choices, and standing up for what’s right.
Thank you for partnering with us to support a healthy and safe future for all our students!

Dress up theme days:
Friday, 10/24: We are "RED-Y" for Red Ribbon Week - wear red
Monday, 10/27: "Hats off" to being drug free - wear your favorite hat
Tuesday, 10/28: "Piece" together your future - dress as your future career
Wednesday, 10/29: Drugs don't match my life - wear mismatched clothing
Thursday, 10/30: We all fit together - wear our school colors
Friday, 10/31: We say "Boo" to drugs - wear your school appropriate Halloween costume/shirt

School dress code must be followed each day.
A poster promoting Red Ribbon Week with the message 'Life is a puzzle, solve it drug free'.
 

Important dates:

October
6th-10th - Fire Prevention Week
10th - 1st Quarter Ends
13th-17th - School Lunch Week
15th - Unity Day (wear orange)
20th-24th - School Bus Safety Week
21st - 5:00 1st Quarter Honor Roll (Citrus Springs Community Center) - 3rd-5th grades by invitation
23rd-31st - Red Ribbon Week

Future Planning -
November 5 - Picture Retakes
November 14 - PTO Fall Festival 6:00-8:00

Each Friday, we encourage our school community to show their spirit - wear school spirit shirts or school colors. We can't wait to see that CSE pride!
A decorative October 2025 calendar with autumn-themed illustrations.
 
A group of diverse students stand together in a school hallway.

Hawk Leaders

Congratulations to our Hawk Leaders of the Month! These students have been recognized for consistently showing the character trait of responsibility. Whether it's completing assignments on time, helping others, or taking ownership of their actions, they lead by example every day. We're proud to celebrate their efforts and commitment to doing what's right—both in and out of the classroom!
Way to go, Hawks!

Luna Shuster
Avery Grossman
Paislee Buckley
Kindergarten
Sophie Champy
Paisley Steele
Roarke Colburn
Kehlani Laninga
Aurora Perez
Dasia Davidson
1st Grade
Elyse Shelinbarger
Lawson Fremont
Adeline Wolski
Karley Hurd
Ava Palmer
Alexandra Stewart
2nd Grade
Raya Brezovic
Jasper Miner
Aubrey Biedenstein
Raelynn Schrock
Dallanie Plaster
Raelyn Bianchi
3rd Grade
Thayer Champy
Charles Boldman
Brantley Donley
Landen Kofmehl
Houston Sickler
Payton Tomaine
Hailey Blanco
4th Grade
Kali Wells
Dana Fill
Veronika Bushina
McKenna Splitt
Deacon Weaver
5th Grade
Valentina Ruiz
Soleil Ramos
Kayden Stern
Noah Long
Brodi Waas 
 
Cartoon image showing children arriving and leaving school with a school bus.

Transportation

CSE continues to be the place to be, and our enrollment shows it! We currently have more than 900 students enrolled. This large number of course impacts our parent pick up and drop off lines - with approximately 200 cars dropping off each morning and picking up each afternoon.
Keeping safety as the priority, we will be re-implementing practices that were previously in place, as well as adding additional supports.

Parent Drop Off
8:45 - we will start unloading students from cars in the parent pick up line, students will stand inside the school building from 8:45-8:50
8:50-9:20 - we will continue to welcome students and they will be able to head straight to class or breakfast, during this time the front parking lot will be locked - everyone will need to go through the parent drop off line
Please pull down as far as possible when dropping your child off so we can get as many cars on the line as possible. Also, please encourage your child to be ready to get out as soon as we open the door - with the large number of student drop offs, we want to welcome kids and move as efficiently as possible.
9:17 - parent drop off loop will be locked
Anyone who arrives after this time will need to come park in the main parking lot and walk your child in. Students who enter the school building after 9:20 will need to be signed in to the office by an adult and will be marked tardy.

If your child eats breakfast at school, we strongly encourage you to drop off your child on the early side of the drop off time. Students that are arriving just before 9:20 and going to breakfast are likely missing instruction, as our instructional day begins at 9:20.

Parent Pick Up
Our front parking lot will be locked from 3:15-4:10ish.
Thank you families for having your car tag visible through the entire pick up line. This helps our callers, as well as those that are loading the kids in to their cars.
Please remain in your car at all times.
If your child is not yet out, a staff member will direct you to pull to the end and staff member will bring your child to you.
If your child needs assistance in buckling in, please pull down to the end of the pick up lane/grass area and assist them there so we can continue to have students placed in cars.


Please do not park on the grass area near the marquee between the times of 8:45-9:15 and 3:15-4:15.

Change in Transportation
If you are changing your child's transportation - please send in a note with your child - including your child's full name, teacher name, the date of the change and what the change is.
We strongly discourage emails for transportation changes - if a staff member is out or doesn't see their email during the day, your message will not be seen.
 

Non-Discrimination Information

· No person shall, on the basis of race (including anti-Semitism), color, religion, pregnancy, national or ethnic origin, gender/sex, age, disability, marital status, political beliefs, sexual orientation, or genetic information, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity, or in any employment conditions or practices conducted by Citrus County School Board (CCSB), except as provided by law.

· CCSB shall comply with all state and federal laws, which prohibit discrimination and are designed to protect the civil rights of applicants, employees, and/or students, or other people protected by applicable law.

· CCSB prohibits discrimination in the terms and conditions of employment, and in access to educational programs and activities, and prohibits harassment of any individual or group based on race (including anti-Semitism), color, religion, pregnancy, national or ethnic origin, gender/sex, age, disability, marital status, political beliefs, sexual orientation, or genetic information.

· Lack of English language skills will not be a barrier to admission and participation. CCSB may assess each student’s ability to benefit from specific programs through placement tests and counseling, and if necessary, will provide services or referrals to better prepare students for successful participation.

· CCSB will comply with all Federal requirements regarding discrimination and harassment including, but not limited to, 34C.F.R. Part 108.
 
 
District Equity Contact:
Todd Goolsby
Coordinator of District Student Services
2575 S. Panther Pride Drive Lecanto, FL 34461
Telephone: (352) 527-0090
 
District Section 504 Contact:
Jacquelyn Dillersberger
ESE Specialist
1007 W. Main Street
Inverness, FL 34450
Telephone: (352) 726-1931 Ext. 2304
 

Hawk Pledge

Our Hawk Pledge represents what we want our students doing each day to help them continue to grow as a learner and be a positive part of our school community.
Please take a few minutes to discuss this pledge with your child and what it means so we can all support learning and citizenship.
A sign displays the Hawk Pledge with a cartoon hawk illustration.
 

Visiting Campus?

All visitors must present a valid and current ID card of Driver’s License to check in at the front office before entering campus during the hours of 8:15-4:15.

 

Contact information

If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact us. You can reach out via the following:

  • 352-344-4079
  • calvertr@citrusschools.org (Principal Secretary)
  • https://cse.citrusschools.org/
A cartoon hawk mascot with crossed arms, the word 'Hawks' above.
 
A mobile app interface for reporting suspicious activity, with the app name 'FortifyFL'.