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At the Citrus County Education Foundation, we are proud to support over 40 impactful programs dedicated to empowering students, supporting families, and enriching our local schools. From hands-on learning experiences to mentoring, scholarships, and essential resources, each program is designed to foster success and opportunity across Citrus County.
Explore the programs below to learn how CCEF and our community partners make a difference every day.
"Book, Line, & Thinkers" offers 5th grade students a unique educational fishing field trip that directly supports science and math standards taught in the classroom. This immersive experience reinforces academic lessons while creating lasting memories.
Partnering with experienced local charter captains in Crystal River and Homosassa, students embark on guided trips to local springs such as Homosassa or King Bay. Here, they observe native wildlife and vegetation, learn to pull crab traps, practice fishing skills, and engage in inquiry-based learning about the local ecosystem.
After the trip, students rotate through interactive educational stations at one of three Learning Centers — the Florida Cracker Riverside Resort, the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge, or the Plantation Hotel. Topics include the water cycle, weathering and erosion, restoration efforts of local springs, and wildlife education with animals from the Wildlife Park.
This hands-on approach deepens student understanding of environmental science while fostering curiosity and stewardship.
IMPACT:
Thank you to our sponsors!
Each year, the Citrus Regional Science & Engineering Fair (RSEF) features over 250 projects from students in grades 5 through 12. This event celebrates scientific creativity and critical thinking by allowing students to present their projects and compete for awards.
Participants compete across 14 categories, divided into Junior (middle school) and Senior (high school) divisions, aiming to qualify for the State Fair in Lakeland every March. Approximately 20 students from Citrus County advance to the state level each year.
The fair depends on nearly 50 dedicated volunteers, including educators and district staff, who judge projects and support students throughout the event.
IMPACT:
Volunteer opportunities available for judging and event support. Thank you to our sponsor, Citrus Oral & Facial Surgery!
Hosted during Citrus 20/20’s annual “Save Our Waters Week,” Environmental Jeopardy challenges teams of high school students to apply their knowledge of local and state environmental issues.
Four teams, each composed of three players and an alternate from each district high school and the Academy of Environmental Science, compete in this fast-paced trivia competition. The winning team receives a monetary prize funded by the Citrus County Education Foundation.
This competition promotes environmental literacy, teamwork, and stewardship among youth, connecting classroom knowledge with real-world challenges.
IMPACT:
For more information or to sponsor the event, please contact CCEF.
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 at the end.
Sometimes, all it takes is one caring adult to spark a child’s love of reading. ReadingPals brings together community volunteers and young students to share stories, encouragement, and connection. It’s a simple commitment with a lifelong impact.
Learn more about this program here.
The Golden Citrus Scholar Awards recognize the best and brightest graduating seniors in Citrus County. Each High School can nominate one student in each of eight categories:
A panel of judges including local Rotary members, Chamber of Commerce representatives, and Citrus County Education Foundation members review the nominees' achievements and select a single winner from each category, as well as an overall Golden Citrus Scholar Hall of Fame winner.
This recognition program seeks to highlight the tremendous achievements of Citrus County’s finest graduating seniors. All nominees receive scholarships funded by the generous support of donors including CCEF.
The goal of Citrus County Education Foundation’s Mentoring Program is to provide young men and women in Citrus County with positive, influential role models.
Sadly, hundreds of students in our Citrus County schools lack an adult to provide guidance and inspiration in their everyday lives. CCEF's Men Building Men and Women Building Women programs provide each of these young people with necessary leadership and direction to potentially become successful in life.
Mentors from our county voluntarily interact with these students on a weekly basis. Each mentor involved in CCEF's Men Building Men and Women Building Women programs look forward to improving the lives of Citrus County's youth.
New Mentor Training Dates:
Each year CCEF and its partners award classroom and department mini-grants to the deserving educators across Citrus County’s public schools. Teachers, departments, and Resource Centers can apply at the start of each school year for a grant up to $500 per individual teacher or $1,000 per team of teachers to focus on mathematics, literacy, or science/social science that enhance curriculum and classroom instructional activities.
Local funds raised by CCEF are matched dollar-for-dollar by state Department of Education funds through the Consortium of Florida Education Foundations.
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The Nature Coast Investment Practicum (NCIP) was established to provide an avenue for Citrus High School Sophomores and Juniors to learn about investment management principles and techniques by managing real money.
In this process, students are taught general economic theories and principles, spreadsheet development, how to research principles and analysis, work in teams, write analyst reports, and other topics as determined by the faculty advisor and Investment Advisory Committee.
As students learn about these topics, they put this learning into practice through the active management of The Manatee Investment Fund. This fund was established as a separately managed designated fund for the purpose of providing a learning environment to further the goals of the NCIP as well as providing for annual scholarships. If you are interested in donating to this program, please contact us at (352) 726-1931 x2240 or Edward Jones Investments at (352) 860-2839.
Sometimes Students Need More Than School Supplies
The Citrus County Education Foundation invites you to give to the new student resource rooms, now in all district high schools. All three high schools have on-site Resource Rooms, operated by students to provide items their classmates in need. It is not always easy for high school students to ask for help or admit they don’t have items many take for granted.
Please consider donating items or money to this program or offering your organization as a collection site. While items in need change with the needs of the students, examples of items to donate (in addition to school supplies) include:
Items may be dropped off at the school district office (1007 W. Main St., Inverness, FL 34450) to the attention of the Citrus County Education Foundation or pick-ups can be arranged by calling or emailing CCEF at 352.726.1931 x2240 or Burdettes@citrusschools.org
Now serving in the teacher store and on all school campuses.
In addition to the other programs mentioned, CCEF provides direct funding for a myriad of programs reaching each and every school in Citrus County. These funding initiatives vary from year to year, but CCEF and its partners are proud to help support public education programs and initiatives that have a proven track record for building success. Just a few of the great programs funded in past school years included:
CCEF works with the Citrus County School District, individual schools, administration, staff, and teachers to identify the pressing needs of our local public schools. Funding decisions are made on an annual basis by the CCEF board, and are intended to supplement and not supplant CCSD funding.
Our teacher store provides essential school supplies needed in the classroom. The store opened during the 2018-2019 school year, fulfilling a longtime vision of many – offering teachers the tools they need. FREE.
Greatest needs include glue sticks, markers, expo markers, highlighters, colored pencils, construction paper, erasers, sticky notes, printer paper, tissues, and rulers.
If you have school supplies you would like to donate, please contact:
352-726-1931 ext. 2240
Visit the store here: https://www.citruseducation.org/shop
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The Citrus County Education Foundation hosts a Welcome Back for Teachers at the beginning of each school year. This event provides time for our K-12 Citrus County teachers to meet, collaborate, and practice our district-wide vision – Engaging Our Students – for the coming school year. Sponsors can participate in our Exhibit Hall and present their products/services to approximately 1500 educators – new and veteran teachers, guidance counselors, media/technology specialists, support staff, principals, assistant principals, and district administrators. If you are interested in becoming a sponsor, please contact us.