Walton County - School District

The Walton County Academic Team has advanced to the FINALS of the Commissioner's Academic Challenge! The finals are Saturday, April 13th at 9am Eastern. Watch it live tomorrow! https://academic-challenge.org/division-3-live-stream/

Help us cheer on the Academic Team for an EPIC performance at the 2024 Commissioners Academic Challenge in Orlando, FL! Eli Smartt (MIC), Summer House (MIC), Zack Hirschinger (MIC), James Stephenson (WHS), Aiden Wigley (SWHS), and Allie Saunders (Paxton).

Superintendent Hughes was a guest on the morning show at Maude Saunders Elementary! Our Elementary Scholars are learning valuable skills that aid in public speaking, posture, communication, leadership, teamwork and effective COLLABORATION! EPIC! Superintendent Hughes was able to recite the powerful MSE Pledge: I am an MSE Scholar. The me I see is the me I'll be. Respectful and kind to all I meet, Responsible for what I do and say, Resourceful and work hard each day. A peacemaker in every way. I will see the scholar in me succeed!

Out of an abundance of caution, and based on updated weather data that has changed from yesterday’s Emergency Management briefing, all Walton County Schools will dismiss 90 minutes early today, Wednesday April 10th due to a severe weather system that is moving faster than anticipated. The 90 minute early dismissal includes all students and employees. To give just one example for students, if your child’s bus typically leaves school at 2:30 p.m., for today, that bus would dismiss at 1:00 p.m. This is just an example. If you need help understanding the early 90 minute dismissal, please call your child’s school. In addition to the early dismissal, all after school activities, including tutoring, athletics, and SPICE, are canceled. Based on data from Emergency Management and additional weather resources, severe weather is expected in Walton beginning in the late afternoon and lasting through the early morning on Thursday, April 11th. At this time, schools are anticipated to be back in session tomorrow, but please stay connected with our website and social media outlets in case there are any changes. As always, safety is our number one priority. Everyone stay safe!

The Walton County School District is currently monitoring the weather with both local and state experts. At this time, all schools will continue with our regular school day Wednesday, April 10th. We do not expect inclement weather until well after school hours.  Individual or district-wide decisions regarding Wednesday's after school activities will be made in the morning based on additional weather data.  Continue to stay engaged with our website and social media outlets as we provide any updates. As always, the safety of our students is our first priority.

Fun Fact: Monday is the first total solar eclipse since 2017 and the last total solar eclipse visible from the US until 2044. As you may know, a total solar eclipse is on the horizon Monday, April 8th. The weather forecast shows partly cloudy skies the entire day and the panhandle will only experience 70-80% coverage during the eclipse. The whole event will last about two hours. At this time, there will be no alterations to school or transportation schedules. However, while under our care you can expect students will be guided not to look directly at the sun. The safety of our students is always our top priority. We ask that parents and guardians also speak to their children about avoiding direct eye contact with the eclipse. This is an incredible opportunity for science to come to life in real-time for our students, and if teachers can do so safely, they may use this as a teaching tool. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to your school.

Congratulations to these Won-One Award recipients from Freeport Elementary School! Congratulations Mrs. Evans, Mrs. T. Williamson, and Mrs. Carl! Thank you for your hard work to help change the lives of the students in Walton County!

The Walton County School District would like to recognize our TSAs (Teacher on Special Assignment) who serve in an administrative capacity. Thank you for all you do! Pictured (R to L): Hope Allen, West DeFuniak Elementary Hannah Gomillion, Van R. Butler Elementary Kristen Nelson, Mossy Head School Hillary Williams, Freeport High School Dustin Shroyer, South Walton High School Dennie Smith, Walton High School Deans: Emily Kent, Walton Middle School Kevin Cipriani, Emerald Coast Middle School Not pictured: Steven Valkenaar, Freeport Middle School Nate Moore, Paxton School

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!