The Shields Painting Difference: Perfection with Every Brush Stroke
Many painting companies in Florida rely on flashy marketing and big promises to try and attract new clients. But when it comes time to work, they fall short of their promises. This is often due to a lack of experience, qualified painters, and a drive to overachieve. At Shields Painting, we do things a little differently than other painting companies in Citrus County. We believe that a professional paint job should be as close to perfect as possible. Our goal is to leave you 100% satisfied, whether we're touching up an old residential paint job or performing a complex commercial project. It might sound simple, but we achieve that goal through honesty, hard work, beautiful results, and reasonable pricing.
As a family-owned and operated painting company in Orange Springs, FL, we strive to provide personalized, professional, and friendly service. Shields Painting has been in business since 1968 for a good reason. Whenever possible, we go the extra mile to make sure our customers are happy. Unlike some of our competition, we want to know all about your house or business painting project: your vision, your preferences, your challenges, and your goals. When we understand your needs, we can present you with a fantastic final product - one that you're proud to show off to friends and neighbors.
At Shields Painting, we combine our extensive experience with time-tested, meticulous painting processes, resulting in the highest quality painting results around. As a painting contractor in Citrus County, we can take on a variety of residential, commercial, and industrial projects in Florida.
A few of our most popular painting services include:
- Interior Painting
- Exterior Painting
- Residential Painting
- Commercial Painting
- Cabinet Painting
- Ceiling Painting
- Fence Painting
- Sign Painting
- MUCH More!
Our commercial, industrial, and residential painting contractors take the proper steps to protect your property and belongings while we work. Our team will clean up after ourselves, so your property is left clean and free of debris when we're done. After all, we think there's only one way to do a job, and that's the right way.
Painting Services

Eco-friendly & clean work area.

PDCA Certified Member.

Your Go-To House Painting Company in Orange Springs, FL
Your home is a haven of relaxation and solitude. It is uniquely you - a place where you can express who you are through style and design. Whether you need interior touch-ups for your crown molding or a new exterior coat of paint, hiring a reliable painting contractor is the best way to get quality results.
At Shields Painting, we know how important it is to have a home that highlights your tastes and personality. That's why we offer an extensive array of residential painting services in Citrus County. As tempting as it might be to try a DIY paint job, without the proper skills and experience, there is a good chance that the results will turn out less than satisfactory.
High-quality painting requires skill, experience, and patience. If you're a homeowner who needs residential painting services but doesn't have the time, patience, or skills to handle the job, look no further than Shields Painting. We offer accuracy, precision, and longevity with each paint job we perform. Our customers choose Shields Painting for their home because they receive:
- Free Quotes with Detailed Project Breakdowns
- Affordable Pricing
- Expert Painting Contractors
- High-Quality Paint Products
- Combo of Traditional and Modern Techniques
- Well-Maintained Tools
- Unmatched Craftsmanship
- Friendly, Personalized Service
- Good Old-Fashioned Hard Work!
The majority of our house painting services come in two forms: interior and exterior.
Interior Residential Painting
As an interior painting contractor with decades of experience, our expert technicians have developed an interior painting process that maximizes quality and emphasizes customer satisfaction. We understand that interior painting goes beyond aesthetics. It protects your ceilings and walls and helps you sustain a healthier place to live for your family. When only the finest craftsmanship will do inside your home, Shields Painting is here for you.
Our seasoned team of painting experts and craftsmen is dedicated to respecting your space and providing you with the look and feel you're craving inside your home. Whether you bought a new house and want to make it your own or need minor touch-ups but have no time, Shields Painting is ready to tackle the job, no matter how small or large.
Unlike some painting companies, our interior house painters take the time to get the details right, every time. For instance, color is only one aspect of your interior paint job. The paint sheen or finish is just as important. Certain finishes are better for living rooms and bedrooms than in kitchens and bathrooms. We'll help you find the right finish and paint colors for your home, so you don't have to worry about touch-ups or repainting.
Some of our most popular interior house painting services include:
- Ceiling Painting
- Popcorn Ceiling Removal
- Living Room Painting
- Bathroom Painting
- Basement Painting
- Color Consultations
- More

Cabinet Painting
Citrus County cabinet painting deserves its own section on this page because it requires more time, skill, and quality paint than most sections of your home. If your home's cabinets are built into its woodwork, replacing them can be obnoxiously expensive. Compared to the cost of installing new cabinets, painting your kitchen cabinets is much more affordable.
At Shields Painting, we specialize in transforming old cabinets into new, gorgeous features that are just as usable as they are beautiful. Each step of our cabinet painting process is meticulous and thorough. And we'll take care of the entire job, from cleaning, prep, and sanding to priming, painting, and reassembly. This unique service lets you enjoy a brand-new look in your kitchen without having to go into debt by replacing your cabinets.
Whether your cabinets are new, but you want to change their color or you'd like to transition wood cabinets to a painted finish, Shields Painting has the expertise and experience to give you a new look you'll love.

Exterior Residential Painting
Your home - it's a place that not only keeps your belongings safe. It protects your family and loved ones, too. It's one of your largest investments, and like anything else of value, it should be protected. However, Florida weather can take a toll on your home's structure and paint, lowering your home's value and even putting your family at risk.
While it's true that a beautiful exterior affects your house's value, it shouldn't take thousands of remodeling dollars to make a positive change to your home. There's a fine line between reasonable pricing and top-quality painting, and that sweet spot is what Shields Painting aims for. If you want to transform how your friends and neighbors see your home, never underestimate the power of a professional paint job.
Our exterior residential painting services are designed to boost curb appeal, give your home a fresh look, and help it stand up to Florida's unique weather. But we provide more than that. When you hire Shields Painting for your outdoor painting project, you will enjoy peace of mind in knowing that your home is in truly capable hands. Our goal is to exceed your expectations and help bring out the best in your property, whether you need to re-stain your deck or remove old, peeling paint from your siding.
If you're on the hunt for the very best exterior painting contractor in Orange Springs, FL, look no further than Shields Painting.
Some of our most popular exterior house painting services include:
- Vinyl Siding Painting
- Deck Painting and Staining
- Stucco Exterior Painting
- Wood Exterior Painting
- Porch Painting and Staining
- Soffit Painting
- Fascia Painting
- Window Painting
- Front Door Painting
- Thorough Painting Prep
- More

The Premier Commercial Painting Company in Orange Springs, FL
When it comes to first impressions, your businesses' appearance plays an important role. Your commercial property's paint job factors into its overall aesthetics. A great-looking, well-maintained paint job can mean the difference between a customer walking in your storefront and passing by. Conversely, an old, worn-out commercial paint job can send the wrong message to prospective customers. If you can't take the time to keep up your property's appearance, why would a customer spend their hard-earned money on your products?
The same goes for your businesses' interior paint. Would you want to do business with a company that has peeling paint or unsightly crown molding? At Shield's Painting, our goal is to create a beautiful environment that your customers and employees will love inside and out. When you work with our business painters, you can rest easy knowing we treat your business like it were our own. We always clean up after ourselves and know that operations cannot come to a halt just because we're painting. As such, we'll work with your busy schedule to ensure the job gets done right the first time without disrupting your day-to-day commitments.
With decades of commercial painting experience, we know the demands of a commercial painting project necessitate a disciplined and focused approach from the start. Our team of business painters is committed to delivering quality, on-time results on every project, every time - no excuses

We offer professional business painting services to a variety of building types, including:

01
Industrial Painting
A high level of care and finesse are required to effectively paint an industrial property. At Shields Painting, we know that industrial paint jobs involve much more than aesthetics. That's why our industrial services are customized to your specifications, using industrial-grade materials that stand up to heavy-duty operations.
02
Retail Store Painting
Our commercial painters apply effective, yet appealing interior and exterior paint that stand up to the daily rigors of busy retail environments.


03
Small Business Painting
Do you own a restaurant franchise? Have a small "mom and pop" location that needs a fresh coat of paint? Shields Painting has the resources and reliability to efficiently get the job done the first time. That way, you can focus on serving your customers, not having your business repainted.
04
Healthcare Location Painting
From walk-in clinics to long-term care facilities, Shields Painting is sensitive to your patients' needs. We know you must protect your patient's privacy while maintaining productivity. Our approach to healthcare location painting centers around your schedule to avoid disruptions in care.


05
Apartment Complex Painting
Erase signs of wear and make your apartment complex or multi-family building a more desirable place to live with a stunning, professional paint job.
Florida's Most Trusted Painting Contractor
Shields Painting has been in the business since 1968. In a world where so much has changed, we are proud to uphold the ideals that make us successful: hard, honest work, getting the job done right, and excellent customer service. Providing you with trustworthy, quality work will always take priority over rushing through a project to serve the next customer. That is just not the way we choose to do business.
As professionals dedicated to perfection, we strive to provide a unique painting experience for every customer - one that focuses on their needs and desires instead of our own. Whether you need residential painting for your home or commercial painting for your business, we encourage you to reach out today to speak with our customer service team. Whether you have big ideas about a new paint project or need our expertise and guidance, we look forward to hearing from you soon.

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Latest News in Orange Springs, FL
Florida CB Jaydon Hill 'currently not able to participate' in Fall camp
Graham Hallhttps://247sports.com/college/florida/Article/Florida-CB-Jaydon-Hill-currently-not-able-to-participate-in-Fall-camp-191007625/
Florida is tasked with replacing starting cornerback Kaiir Elam in the secondary this season, and the expectation heading into preseason camp was that Jaydon Hill would compete for one of the two starting roles in 2022 after missing the entirety of the 2021 campaign with a torn ACL suffered in the second week of preseason camp of his junior se...
Florida is tasked with replacing starting cornerback Kaiir Elam in the secondary this season, and the expectation heading into preseason camp was that Jaydon Hill would compete for one of the two starting roles in 2022 after missing the entirety of the 2021 campaign with a torn ACL suffered in the second week of preseason camp of his junior season.
But Hill has yet to be fully cleared to return from his injury, Gators head coach Billy Napier divulged prior to Friday’s practice session, and he’s been unable to see the field in either of Florida’s two preseason practices to date.
Furthermore, Napier added that a timeline for Hill’s return to the field remains unclear, though Napier did make it sound as if he would return to the field at some point this season.
“Jaydon Hill is currently not able to participate,” Napier. “I think a little bit of that is to be determined, based on his recovery, the rehab process.
“Obviously, we’ll keep you guys up to date as his rehab process continues, but we anticipate getting him back later.”
Considering Napier’s comments in Atlanta at SEC Media Days, Hill’s current status may not come as too much of a surprise.
During his time on the SEC Network set, Napier was asked about Hill, and he gave a glowing review of the Huntsville, Alabama, native while also discussing his ongoing recovery.
“Jaydon, had a chance to get to know him a little bit. I admire Jaydon,” Napier said. “To go through what he's gone through from an injury perspective, I think it's important when you're trying to overcome an injury to keep perspective. I think it can benefit you if you have the right approach. It can create toughness. It can create resiliency. I think we see that. It shaped his character, and he's better for it, right?”
Hill went through all of Florida’s spring camp in an orange non-contact jersey, as did fellow cornerback Jalen Kimber, who at the time was working his way back from shoulder surgery.
Despite neither player being unable to fully participate in the first on-field organized activities in the Napier era, both Hill and Kimber still managed to frequently display their potential, said Florida cornerbacks coach Corey Raymond.
“They’re doing well. Kimber’s coming off an injury, he’s doing well. He’s been in this type of system. You just see that he’s going to be really good,” Raymond said. “Jaydon Hill, he’s doing well. I like his progression. I like him as a player. He’s getting better every day. I think he has a chance to be good, too.”
As a sophomore in 2020, Hill appeared in all 12 games for the Gators, including five starts. He would finish the season with 14 tackles, including nine solo tackles, to go along with seven pass break-ups. Hill also recorded 11 tackles through 10 games as a true freshman at Florida during the 2019 campaign.
Former Applebee’s manager ‘in shock’ after DEO takes $5K lotto prize
Mike Holfeldhttps://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2022/08/05/former-applebees-manager-in-shock-after-deo-takes-5k-lotto-prize/
ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – When Michael Everett walked into the Publix supermarket in Lake Buena Vista this past Monday night, he never imagined he would hit it big on a “Monopoly Doubler” lottery ticket to the tune of $5,000.The bartender and former Applebee’s manager was set to go on vacation, so the timing of a big cash prize on a single-ticket purchase was almost too good to be true.[TRENDING: ...
ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – When Michael Everett walked into the Publix supermarket in Lake Buena Vista this past Monday night, he never imagined he would hit it big on a “Monopoly Doubler” lottery ticket to the tune of $5,000.
The bartender and former Applebee’s manager was set to go on vacation, so the timing of a big cash prize on a single-ticket purchase was almost too good to be true.
[TRENDING: Become a News 6 Insider (it’s free!)]
The next day, he went to the lottery office in Altamonte Springs imagining what he would do with the money, only to learn the Department of Economic Opportunity had laid claim to his cash prize.
“And the guy (lottery employee) told me ‘Listen, we want to pay you, but we can’t,’” Everett recalled. “There’s a hold on it from the DEO.”
Everett told News 6 he quickly logged into his DEO account “for the first time in two years” and was surprised to see this notation: “You were paid benefits you were not eligible to receive.”
Everett was laid off from a manager-in-training position with Applebee’s on March 16, 2020.
According to a letter presented to WKMG-TV by the company’s managing director, Everett was not “called back for rehire until September 25, 2020.”
The dates coincide with the weeks disputed by the DEO.
According to Everett’s Florida DEO account, he filed for and was paid roughly $4,300 in state and federal benefits from April 22, 2020 to May 15, 2020.
But his account now shows the payments covering that five-week period as “disqualified,” which is why the DEO garnished his lotto winnings.
“I was in shock,” Everett said. “I really had no idea what to say, what to do, I just went out to my car and sat there for about an hour.”
Make Ends Meet presented the dismissal letter provided by the Applebee’s managing director to the DEO, along with Everett’s benefits payment history.
The dates of unemployment coincide with the weeks he collected jobless benefits.
The DEO team reviewed the records Friday and determined the lottery funds should be reimbursed.
Everett sent an email to News 6 that read in part:
”They called. They told me to submit my certification questions on my DEO account. I just did. She said that the Lottery hasn’t sent them money yet and that she will let them know that this is resolved. She said I will get the full amount and there are no fees from the DEO.”
Everett said he should get the money in about one month.
If you have an unemployment or another DEO issue, email makeendsmeet@wkmg.com or text the words “make ends meet” along with your issue and a screenshot of your DEO account to 407-676-7428.
Black Men Sundays talks about building generational wealth. Check out every episode in the media player below:
Florida camp preview: Safety
Graham Hallhttps://247sports.com/college/florida/LongFormArticle/Florida-camp-preview-Safety-190866767/
In Swamp247's final defensive preview heading into head coach Billy Napier's first preseason camp with the program, we take a look at the safety position, which returns a pair of starters in Trey Dean III and Rashad Torrence II. Within Napier's first month on campus, the Gators made a splash at the position through the recruiting trail, ...
In Swamp247's final defensive preview heading into head coach Billy Napier's first preseason camp with the program, we take a look at the safety position, which returns a pair of starters in Trey Dean III and Rashad Torrence II. Within Napier's first month on campus, the Gators made a splash at the position through the recruiting trail, landing a commitment from Kamari Wilson, the No. 9-ranked safety prospect in the class of 2022 by 247Sports.
Furthermore, Wilson arrived on campus in January as an early enrollee, which should have set him up to see the field as a true freshman. But Wilson went through much of spring camp with an orange non-contact jersey, raising the question of just how much he was able to accomplish during his first experience with organized team activities at Florida. The Gators also added Miguel Mitchell, but he didn't arrive until the offseason, all but guaranteeing he'll redshirt this season, while Devin Moore, ranked the No. 24 safety in the class of 2022 by 247Sports, was recruited to play cornerback at Florida.
The position did take a hit from a depth perspective during the offseason with the departures of Fenley Graham and Mordecai McDaniel, though the former moved to wide receiver during spring camp and the latter wasn't expected to play a significant role this season. Instead, a pair of promising back-ups in Corey Collier Jr. and Donovan McMillon will rotate in for Dean and Torrence, and it's important the Gators capitalize on the chance to develop the pair throughout the season, given the Gators will more than likely need to replace both starting safety roles after the season.
Still, with two starters back in the fold, the safety position should be a strength for the Gators this season. The key will be avoiding injuries while balancing the development of those in line to succeed Dean and Torrence.
Now in his third season at safety, Dean has started on campus since his true freshman season, where he found himself at outside cornerback following an injury to Marco Wilson. He'd play nickel-corner as a sophomore before moving to safety before the 2020 season, the position he played at Dutchtown (Ga.) as a highly recruited prospect.
Dean had a productive season in 2021, with a team-high 92 tackles in 12 starts, though Torrence was right behind him with 87 tackles across 13 games. Given his seniority, Dean gets the nod here over Torrence, even if both players are entering their third year at safety with the program.
"The big thing we talk about at the safety position specifically, since that's my group, not only do we want to be the most gifted players on the field, we want to be the most skilled prayers on the field," defensive coordinator Patrick Toney said. "That means we have a mental checklist when we line up. We're scanning the formation. We are seeing the down in distance. We are knowing the exact alignments. We are knowing our assignment. We're seeing a specific key to get our on job done.
"I think that translates to what you asked with Trey. I think Trey has done a good job on focusing on those areas of his game, the details of becoming the most skilled player on the field. I think you'll see that translate in the season."
Mordecai McDaniel's departure in June may not be a significant loss for the program, but he did see the field in 23 games across the past two seasons with the Gators, including all 13 games in 2021. He had 15 tackles and an interception, and he was expected to compete with Collier and McMillon for one of the two back-up roles in the safety room. There is an optimistic outlook: McDaniel's departure allows the Gators to accelerate the development of the underclassmen in the building.
As long as the Gators can rotate in Kamari Wilson, Corey Collier, Miguel Mitchell and Donovan McMillon, the loss of McDaniel shouldn't hinder the unit this season in a significant way. If any of the rotational players were to miss extended time, however, the loss of McDaniel may impact the play of the unit.
The return of Dean and Torrence is why Florida's safety room should be one of the strengths of the team, without a doubt. The duo were two of Florida's best tacklers last season, but the schematic difference in 2022 should cut back on how often they're in on making the tackle. Dean's experience – he's played in 50 games heading into the season – and Torrence's usage to this point give the Gators a pair of experience playmakers in the secondary this season. In his final season with the program, Dean will look to add to his already impressive UF-career totals of 174 tackles, 4 sacks, 9 tackles-for-loss, 4 interceptions, 14 pass break-ups and one forced fumble.
“Me and Trey Dean, our chemistry and our bond increases every day," Torrence said in spring. "Just being back with him is kind of a blessing. Just knowing that he has my back and I have his every down is kind of a blessing.”
With both players back in the fold, the Gators won't have to rush either freshman safety or the back-ups into extended action, allowing Florida to gradually bring them along as they develop.
The No. 6-ranked safety prospect in 247Sports' composite rankings, Collier enters his second season with the Florida program after arriving in Jan. 2021. As a true freshman, Collier saw the field in a pair of games – against Vanderbilt and later against Samford University – before redshirting. Having grown more comfortable within the program, Collier impressed during Napier's first spring with the program. He's more physically developed in his second season with the program, which should allow him to see the field in an increased capacity.
"He's looking good. He's more focused this year," defensive back Jason Marshall Jr. said of Collier. "He's going to grow. You can see he's gained a lot of weight and his knowledge of the game is expanding."
And Collier's knowledge of the playbook has expanded. Throughout spring camp, he was in the right place at the right time at a much higher frequency. The combination should see him play a larger role in 2022; if the Gators can utilize Collier during his redshirt freshman season, it will take much of the pressure off of the starting duo of Dean and Torrence.
“He’s coming along great. I mean, this spring I feel like he’s tuned into his playbook a lot more," Torrence said in spring of Collier. "And he’s tuned into being a better safety first and learning the plays. I feel like that’s benefited him a lot.
Like Collier, Wilson arrived in time for spring practice as one of Florida's nine early enrollee additions, which should increase his chances of seeing the field in 2022.
Given the depth in the room and his freshman status, it would be difficult to say at this point that Wilson will be an impact player for the Gators in 2022, but his recruiting profile, football acumen and arrival timeline make him a candidate to jump up the depth chart this season at safety for Florida.
The big question, however, is just how much Wilson was able to accomplish during spring camp. He missed several practices early in spring, and was seen sporting an orange non-contact jersey in others, raising the question of his level of involvement. If he's been able to make up the ground in the offseason, Wilson can't be discredited as a player with potential to see the field early into their UF career. With a pair of starters back and multiple highly regarded back-ups, there won't be significant pressure to get Wilson on the field early into spring camp. If he's able to do so, it's not only a sign his development is farther along than anticipated – it's a promising signal for the future of the position after Dean and Torrence ultimately depart and test the NFL Draft waters, which is expected after the 2022 season.
“He’s coming along great," Torrence said in spring camp of Wilson. "He’s very explosive, very strong, interacts in every film meeting."
Expectations for the group should be lofty in 2022, given the revamped scheme, Patrick Toney's role and the return of both starting safeties from last season in Dean and Torrence.
If either player were to go down, the departure of McDaniel could come back to bite the unit, but the Gators are confident either Collier or McMillon can fill any void that were to occur. McMillon saw the field in all 13 games last season, although he didn't have nearly as much production as either of the starters, finishing the season with just 10 tackles. Outside of the four, the Gators have a pair of freshmen who can slot in if need be this season.
There's plenty of experience, sure, but if injuries were to pile up the room could see its ceiling lowered – which is true for just about every position on the team.
"Having that experience back there with some of the younger guys coming in," Torrence said on April 7, "it’s great to have that experience."
Will the schematic differences lead to significant improvement this season? Throughout the spring, both Dean and Torrence discussed the differences under Toney, who also serves as the team's defensive coordinator. Outside of the differences in philosophy, the terminology Toney uses is different than any of the players have used in the past during their Florida careers, and that alone could impact how quickly a player picks up the disseminated information.
Another question is if the Gators will attempt to accelerate Wilson's development considering his ceiling. Of the safeties on the roster, he may arguably have the highest potential of the group, and it may be wise to have him develop in-game rather than wait his turn on the sideline. If the Gators can get a sizable advantage over the opposition in a contest this season, it'll be intriguing to see whether or not Florida's coaching staff capitalizes on the window and prioritizes development at the potential expensive of a more-narrow margin of victory. It would pay dividends in the long run, but, of course, Florida isn't looking to put anyone in the game who isn't entirely ready for the moment. It could result in a negative outcome, and, barring an injury, Florida appears to have the numbers to avoid a situation where someone is called upon prematurely to see the field.
Orange County educators, students gear up for FAST testing
Sheldon Duteshttps://www.wesh.com/article/orange-county-fast-testing-prep/40798510
ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. —Back-to-school means back to homework and standardized tests.Teaching to a test has been one of the biggest criticisms of today's educational curriculum in Florida and across the country.The 2022-2023 academic school year, however, is the beginning of a new way to assess student achievement in the form of progress monitoring multiple times a year.It’s a departure from the high-stakes Florida Standards Assessment (FSA) exam that Claire Rogers took during the 2021-20...
ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. —
Back-to-school means back to homework and standardized tests.
Teaching to a test has been one of the biggest criticisms of today's educational curriculum in Florida and across the country.
The 2022-2023 academic school year, however, is the beginning of a new way to assess student achievement in the form of progress monitoring multiple times a year.
It’s a departure from the high-stakes Florida Standards Assessment (FSA) exam that Claire Rogers took during the 2021-2022 school year.
“I was nervous I wasn’t going to get a good grade,” Claire Rogers said.
She passed the exam, but her mother, Kara Rogers, admits it was stressful.
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“It was a little nerve-wracking,” Kara Rogers said. “I saw the pressure she put herself under, but she worked really hard. She has great support at her school but also at home with a tutor that we hired. And all of her hard work paid off."
Math is one of the subjects Claire and thousands of Florida students were tested in for the FSA.
This last school year, third through eighth grade math scores on the FSA increased 4% compared to 2021.
When it comes to language arts, third through 10th graders maintained their scores from the previous year.
“I was so happy that I did my very best, and that paid off,” Claire said.
She spent the final weeks of summer brushing up on lessons before school started.
“Summer slide is real, from my perspective,” Kara said. "And sometimes they forget, and I think it’s good to have her practice the skills that she learned last year and prior years so she can start the next year off with a bang.”
That preparation will likely help Claire for the state’s new progress monitoring exam, the Florida Assessment of Student Thinking (FAST).
The idea is to monitor a student's progress through the year with tests in the fall, winter and spring.
Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the change into law this past March.
Newly elected Orange County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Maria Vazquez is hopeful about the impending changes.
"When I first heard about our governor's plan for this progress monitoring center, I really was very happy, because we were moving to a system that potentially would allow parents, teachers and students to get information as to where they were, and then use that information to get better,” Dr. Vazquez said.
“My initial reaction was very happy, but I still don’t know a lot about it,” Kara Rogers said. “I do think, in theory, having the test spread out it might be a little less pressure than the one and done but we’ll see how it all turns out.”
Students may be the only ones not looking forward to the change.
“I’m honestly not that happy about it, but it is what it is,” Claire said.
Erica Sapienza is the owner of Above-N-Beyond Education, which provides tutoring for students in all grades and also specialized in FSA testing.
She doesn't anticipate significant changes as she and her tutors adjust to the new testing format but did have this advice for how parents and educators can help students prepare for FAST.
“Stay calm. Review the work that’s sent home. Reach out to the school, for one,” Sapienza said. “I think a lot of times it’s how they’re teaching it in the classroom compared to how we as parents teach it.”
Fellow educator and Above-N-Beyond tutor Renee Becker added that “These [tests] are only one metric that’s going to measure one thing about your child, and your child is a whole person that has so many different interests and things that they like that these tests shouldn’t be the end all be all for the school year.”
CHARLES REYNOLDS: Bring on the butterflies with milkweed
Charles Reynoldshttps://www.theledger.com/story/lifestyle/2022/08/05/weekend-plantings/10218154002/
Ledger columnistButterfly milkweed — aka orange milkplant and butterfly weed — is one of a couple dozen milkweeds native to Florida, and the most popular with gardeners. The flowers of this species (Asclepias tuberosa) are orange or red-orange and clustered on stem tips from spring into autumn. Those stems grow about 2 feet long on bright, sandy sites where the blossoms of this wildflower attract butterflies and hummingbirds. Plants are evergreen in Central Florida during mild winters. Propagate butterfly milkweed by divis...
Ledger columnist
Butterfly milkweed — aka orange milkplant and butterfly weed — is one of a couple dozen milkweeds native to Florida, and the most popular with gardeners. The flowers of this species (Asclepias tuberosa) are orange or red-orange and clustered on stem tips from spring into autumn. Those stems grow about 2 feet long on bright, sandy sites where the blossoms of this wildflower attract butterflies and hummingbirds. Plants are evergreen in Central Florida during mild winters. Propagate butterfly milkweed by division and seeds and with root cuttings. Available locally and online.
PLENTY OF SHRUBS MAKE GREAT SMALL TREES
It was a hot, sunny day in Savannah, Georgia, when I last visited the city’s Bonaventure Cemetery. While there, I noticed an older woman sitting on a folding stool in the shade of a massive oakleaf hydrangea. I’d always regarded this native plant (H. quercifolia) as a shrub, but it was functioning just fine as a miniature shade tree. Indeed, many woody plants we maintain as shrubs — often with great difficulty due to their vigor — can make excellent small trees in our gardens.
Obviously, plants with spines or extremely floppy branches are poor candidates. But numerous large-growing species can — through judicious pruning — be utilized. What do I mean by large growing? Let’s say most shrubs that grow at 10 to 15 feet tall are fair game. Among them would be oleander, Japanese privet, yellow elder, angel’s trumpet, chaste tree, sweet viburnum, Barbados cherry, peregrina, Anderson Crepe hibiscus and natives such as wax myrtle, marlberry and varnish leaf.
A FRUSTRATING FRUIT TREE
The imbe (Garcinia livingstonei) is — as you might have guessed — named after the famed African explorer Dr. David Livingstone. This East African tree has several striking attributes: It’s drought tolerant once established, withstands temperatures down to the mid-20s and bears 2-inch yellow or orange fruit in summer. But cultivating the imbe for its fruit isn’t easy. They’re propagated only by seed, grow slowly and take years to mature. But the biggest stumbling block gardeners face is that these 10-to-20-foot trees are dioecious, which means both male and female specimens must be present for fruiting to occur. There are, however, nurseries that claim they have hermaphroditic imbes — plants with both male and female flowers.
TAKE A SHINE TO MIRROR LEAF SHRUB
Like many plant lovers, I’ve never seen the appeal of doodads and shiny objects like gazing balls and whirligigs. But I do love the mirror leaf viburnum (V. awabuki). Growing 10 to 15 feet tall and 9 feet across, this East Asian shrub features 3-to-7-inch leaves so incredibly glossy that I always stop to admire them. In addition to that remarkable foliage, mirror leaf grows rapidly in sun or light shade and bears clusters of lightly fragrant white flowers in spring. They’re followed in autumn by berry-like fruit that ripen to black. Propagate with warm-season cuttings.
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