It was great to be back in the district for the week, working locally and meeting with and attending constituent events. Visiting schools and talking with students is always encouraging. Last week, I met with students from South Sumter High School, Lake Weir High School, and Lecanto High School, and the Sumter County Superintendent of Schools and school administrators to discuss school safety, their studies and more. The classroom is a place of learning, where students should feel safe, able to learn, and encouraged to dream and aspire to great accomplishments.
While at South Sumter High School, I met Senior Chief Martinez and students from the South Sumter Navy National Defense Cadet Corps who recently placed 1st in Orienteering in the State of Florida, and placed 4th in the nation.
On Wednesday, I sat down with Hernando County Sheriff Al Nienhius and HCSO Legal Counsel Joel Fritton to discuss school safety along with other law enforcement community priorities. I am thankful for our local law enforcement officers who protect our communities’ day in and day out.
Making reading a priority and ensuring students are gaining this critical skill has been one of my focuses throughout my time in public service. Reading is the foundation to learning. If a child cannot read their ability to learn is severely hampered and studies show that students who enter high school unable to read are more likely to drop out. Since 1998, Florida has placed a special focus on ensuring elementary students, in particular, are learning to read. As part of this, Thursday I participated in a Reading Rodeo at Minneola Elementary Charter School. I enjoyed spending time with and reading to second grade and fifth grade students.
Congressman Daniel Webster represents The Villages in the U.S. House of Representatives.
