Walton County - School District

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!

On the last day of Black History Month, take time to reflect on the history being made around you. Superintendent A. Russell Hughes has been shattering barriers in the pursuit of changing the lives of children! His impact on the students of northwest Florida is, simply put, EPIC!

The students at Freeport High School are doing EPIC things in their Aquaculture program! Check out this fantastic spotlight from WMBB News 13 on the AquaDome at FHS. https://www.mypanhandle.com/news/local-news/walton-county/students-raising-fish-growing-crops-at-new-freeport-aquadome/

Being a Superintendent is a busy job, but last week when a student heard he was on campus at FHS, he dropped everything to go see their egg drop project! Students built contraptions to protect their egg from being dropped approximately 40ft from the back of the stadium.

The Walton County Elementary Chorus and Orff Ensemble Concert is this Saturday, February 24th at 3:30pm in the Freeport High School Auditorium. Don't miss these wonderful young musicians!

Congratulations to these two WON-ONE winners! Marlene Acosta is an ESOL Literacy Coach for the District, but was nominated for a Won-One while teaching at SWHS. Mr. Ethan Mitchell is the Band Director at SWHS. These teachers are changing the lives of their students!

We are already preparing for the 2024-2025 school year! You can find registration information letters on our website at: www.walton.k12.fl.us/o/wcsd/page/parents Kindergarten Registration Information: When: Monday - Friday, March 1st - March 14th | 8am - 2:30pm Where: All Walton County elementary schools Child must be five years old on or before September 1st, 2024. An official birth certificate is required for registration. Prior to entering school in August, each child must have a physical examination and up-to-date immunizations. (DOH680 - Florida Certificate of Immunization)

The South Walton High School Student Government Association, led by Joan Kennett, attended the February 20th school board meeting to learn about local government! The future is in EPIC hands with student leaders such as these at the wheel!

The St. Joe Foundation, with the Walton Education Foundation, announced the Walton County No Ordinary Joe Scholarship Finalists at the Feb 20th board meeting. Congratulations to these EPIC students who anything but ordinary!

Happy Presidents' Day! Today, we honor the leaders who have shaped our nation's history and inspired generations. Let's celebrate the legacy of leadership, perseverance, and progress. #PresidentsDay

February is CTE Month - here we talk to Wyndy Crozier, Director of Emerald Coast Technical College. You can find more about ECTC at www.ectc.edu https://youtu.be/VfkBfPMq_vM

𝗠𝗮𝗲𝗴𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝗝𝗼𝗵𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗗𝗲𝗻𝗮 𝗕𝗿𝘆𝗮𝗻 𝗪𝗢𝗡 𝗢𝗡𝗘 𝗮𝘁 𝗠𝗛𝗦! Congratulates Ms. Maeghan Johnston and Mrs. Dena Bryan as WCSD WON-ONE recipients!Ms. Johnston and Mrs. Bryan work tirelessly each day to make a difference in the lives of students.

Happy Valentine's Day from the Walton County School District!

Superintendent A. Russell Hughes is off to San Diego this week to represent the State of Florida as the Florida Superintendent of the Year at the National Conference on Education. Students from across the District lined the sidewalks to show their love, support, and pride in their Superintendent as well as their pride in their school district. Superintendent Hughes was surprised by an escort and hundreds of cheering students! Safe travels to Superintendent Hughes! https://youtu.be/vZ1BjYpv00U

Early learning is a vital part of student success! If you are interested in Summer VPK or VPK for the 2024-2025 school year, here is the information you need! You can find everything on our website at: https://www.walton.k12.fl.us/page/voluntary-pre-k

Last week, students at Mossy Head School were treated to a special performance of Alice Rocks Wonderland by the Atlantic Coast Theatre for Youth through our partnership with the Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation. The students and teachers loved the interactive experience!

Collaboration is on display today! As we wrap up National School Counseling Week, guidance counselors from across the district are meeting to ensure they have the most up-to-date information to bring to our students. Thank you to our school counselors for all you do!

Mr. Leonard DeMarco, Plumbing Instructor from Emerald Coast Technical College, was a special guest speaker in Mrs. McKinney’s High School Class at the WISE Center last week. Mrs. McKinney's students have been studying about aqueducts invented in ancient Rome. Mr. DeMarco made the connection to how we use the idea of aqueducts in homes and communities today— in plumbing! Students saw examples of pipes and were shown how to use a drain snake! They also learned about the plumbing certification program at ECTC. If you would like more information about the Plumbing program, reach out to Emerald Coast Technical College at www.ECTC.edu

Superintendent Hughes took time out of his schedule during Literacy Week to read to students in Hannah Rice's 1st Grade class at Mossy Head School! Superintendent Hughes read the book 𝘓𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘭𝘦 𝘖𝘯𝘦 by Jo Weaver to students. Along the way, he asked students interactive questions to help them connect to the story. The students listened attentively, hanging onto Superintendent Hughes' every word. What a great way to start the day!

Superintendent Hughes dropped by Dune Lakes Elementary this week to check in on newly appointed Principal Mr. Brian Michie. Mr. Michie was approved on Tuesday by the Walton County School Board as the new Principal of Dune Lakes Elementary. Mr. Michie has been pulling double duty transitioning from SWHS and doing great!