Walton County - School District

This week is National Assistant Principals Week! We'd like to take a moment to express our appreciation for the work these administrators do for the students of our District. Take a moment to thank your Assistant Principal this week!

Superintendent A. Russell Hughes shares his April Monthly Update from Dune Lakes Elementary with guest Brian Michie. April is a month full of celebrations and important dates. Be sure to watch to stay current on everything happening in the District! https://youtu.be/AaZ-4kx203M

Five Walton County schools recently received the designation of School of Excellence by the Florida State Board of Education. Schools receiving this designation must meet or exceed the 80th percentile of possible points earned in their school grade calculations. School grades incorporate results from the new state assessment Benchmarks for Excellent Student Thinking (B.E.S.T.), which includes the Florida Assessment of Student Thinking (FAST) and end-of-course (EOC) assessments. Van R. Butler Elementary (90th Percentile), Dune Lakes Elementary (95th Percentile), Emerald Coast Middle School (88th Percentile), South Walton High School (89th Percentile), and Freeport High School (89th Percentile) received the School of Excellence designation for the 22-23 school year. For the last two years, Walton County has had only “A” and “B” graded schools, an accolade that only five districts in the state can claim. This success has led The Florida Department of Education to designate the Walton County School District as an Academically High-Performing School District. Van R. Butler Elementary, Dune Lakes Elementary, Emerald Coast Middle School, South Walton High School, and Freeport High School have reached yet another level of excellence in education earning them the designation School of Excellence. Superintendent A. Russell Hughes remarked “These designations represent the hard work and commitment to excellence of our students, teachers, staff, school board, and community. All parties involved in receiving these distinctions are proof of the Walton County Way being alive in our schools. Congratulations to our students, administrators, and staff for their EPIC commitment to education.”

There is a lot of winning happening in Walton County! Each one of these Won-One Awards represents a child whose future has been changed for the better! A child who has another chance to chase their dreams and design their destiny. Superintendent Hughes presented a special award to Principals Brianna Leavins and Dr. Alexis Tibbetts for having been the first to have 7 (6and1) Won-One awards presented to their teachers. Congratulations to Shawn Beaman and Kimberly Ray from the District Office and congratulations to Chef Wright and Penny Uribe from South Walton High School!

Happy Easter from the Walton County School District!

Friday, March 29th is an early release day! Check your individual sites for information regarding exact times.

Preparing the Whole Child for a Life of Success: #2 doesn't just fall in your lap. Part of ensuring students are successful means creating an environment of opportunity that engages students and inspires them to bring their best selves to their work. 2022 graduate of Walton In10sity School of Excellence Shane Holmes recognized Superintendent Hughes, introduced him to his boss, and talked about how proud he was to Graduate from “In10sity”. Shane then shared with Superintendent Hughes how he has advanced in his job and can do about any work assigned to him by his employer. This is what EPIC is all about! Superintendent Hughes started the In10sity School of Excellence 6 years ago. It is now known for its nontraditonal instructional strategies and practices, smaller classes, and astonishing results!!! Principal Billy Johnson has continued this phenomenal setting for students from all over Walton County!

We hope everyone had a fantastic Spring Break! Classes resume Monday, March 25th!

Drumroll please! The Walton County School District is proud to unveil EPIC Exchanges...the District podcast. On the first episode we talk to Florida's Superintendent of the Year, our very own A. Russell Hughes. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/epic-exchanges/id1735577959

Congratulations to Won-One Award recipient Patricia Veillette. Mrs. Veillette is a Staffing Specialist who helped change the trajectory of a student who may otherwise not have graduated high school. Thank you Patricia for the work you do!

SPRING BREAK! Congratulations to our students on an EPIC year thus far. Enjoy your break. Have fun, and be safe! Make sure to watch Superintendent A. Russell Hughes' March Monthly Update for some specific information regarding the break.

March 15th is a Teacher Workday! All students are out!

Congratulations to the Won-One Award recipients at West DeFuniak Elementary! There is a WHOLE lot of winning children happening at West DeFuniak. Congratulations to these staff members for changing the lives of students in Walton County! Randal Messer Chelsea Germany Jessica Daniel Cody Anderson Caretha Paul Ryan Lee Colleen Sconiers

Reminder! Today is the last day for on-site Kindergarten Registration for the 2024-2025 school year. Find out more information at: https://www.walton.k12.fl.us/o/wcsd/page/parents

The Florida Diagnostic & Learning Resource System - PAEC offers "The Road to Behavior Strategies: Tips and Tools for Families and Caregivers" on Monday, April 22nd. This training is designed to be a tool to help families and caregivers understand the meaning of behavior. Additional topics include how adult and child behaviors play a role in handling behaviors, how to examine challenging behaviors, and how to utilize behavior strategies to help children at home.

Everyday thousands of students board a bus to be taken to school or home. Walton County is blessed to have dedicated individuals who ensure our children arrive to school safe and on time. Today, Superintendent Hughes personally delivered the new WCSD Transportation attire to drivers in the DeFuniak area. Superintendent Hughes saw to it that each individual in our transportation department received a t-shirt, polo shirt, and jacket. Now our drivers will be riding in style just like our students!

Superintendent Hughes stopped by the Magnet Innovation Center at Inlet Beach last week to check out the incredible hands-on learning happening there! These students are testing the various properties of propeller blades and how those changes affect efficiency! Perhaps in a few years, you'll board a plane equipped with propellers designed by some of our EPIC students!

Congratulations to Won-One Award recipients from Mossy Head School! Bridget Nidy teaches 2nd grade at MHS and was nominated by a parent for the tremendous impact she has had on their child this year. Lunch manager Lisa Crabtree has worked incredibly hard to collect lunch forms for the students of MHS. Thank you to these Won-One winners for all they do for the students of the Walton County School District!

Superintendent Hughes stopped by Chef Wrights Culinary Classes at SWHS to congratulate Chef Wright and the Culinary 2 class for winning the 23rd Annual Death by Chocolate event in Bay County Tuesday night! Congratulations to these EPIC chefs-in-training!

Congratulations to WON-ONE Award recipient Chris Brown! Chris is a Coordinator of Curriculum and Instruction for the District supporting math, science, CTE, STEM, and Digital Learning. Thanks for you all you do for the students of Walton County!