Students from Walton County School District recently competed in the annual Farm Bureau Speech Contest. This event was held September 2, 2021 at Freeport High School. This year’s topic was “Agriculture impact everyone’s daily life. What are three effective ways to educate young people about agriculture”. Congratulations to this year’s winners and to all students for participating in the event.

COVID Update September 3, 2021

In the spirit of transparency, the Walton County School District (WCSD) will continue to update our stakeholders with COVID-19 data for the 2021-2022 school year. 

While the numbers above represent a decrease in single day data from the start of school, we look forward to a time where that number reads 0%, likewise is our wish for our county, state, and country. We are glad that we are able to navigate through this second year of COVID like we have with the mitigation strategies in place that allow students to be in school, employees at work, and families enjoying some sense of normalcy.

As a district, we find numbers increase after students and staff have been out for an extended period of time and then return to school, such as summer/holiday breaks and long weekends – a trend that was also true during the 2020-2021 school year.  With Labor Day approaching, please utilize best practices that allow for a safe return to school. If you are exposed or experience symptoms, remember to please stay home.  We appreciate those who have stayed home when sick, reported their diagnosis to our schools, and follow district and state decision trees.  Thank you to all stakeholders for being supportive, patient, and understanding as we continue our work together for another successful year – this is a team effort and we are moving 4wRd.

*Please keep in mind that although COVID positive cases may represent a student or staff member within the WCSD, it does not necessarily indicate that the virus originated within the WCSD.  It is also important to note that a portion of the positive cases involve individuals who may have never entered the school setting while sick due to proper quarantining. 

Walton County School District COVID-19 Mitigation Strategies for the 2021-2022 School Year

1. If a person is sick (students, teachers, staff, and visitors), they should stay home.
2. Face covering is optional for all, including the bus.
3. Hand sanitizer is available at various areas inside the school.
4. Social distancing from others is encouraged as much as possible.
5. Signs will be displayed to remind those in schools about social distancing, as well as the use of hand sanitizer, washing of hands, and face coverings.
6. Cleaning and disinfecting school facilities/buses which are occupied by students will be done daily.
7. Adequate mitigation supplies are on hand at all schools/facilities (hand sanitizer, disinfectant wipes, masks, etc.).
8. COVID-19 vaccination is optional for all students and employees.
9. COVID-19 contact tracing is occurring in all schools/facilities (2021-2022 WCSD Decision Tree for employees and students).
10. At this time non-essential visitors and volunteers are not allowed to enter schools. This mitigation strategy will be revisited in the next few weeks.

South Walton High School Principal Alexis Tibbetts ( L ) and Assistant Principal Nina Borthwick ( R ) congratulate Seahawk Junior Hannah Smith for advocating for a beach clean-up program to the Walton County Board of Commissioners.

Check out this story on nwfdailynews.com: https://www.nwfdailynews.com/story/news/local/2021/08/26/walton-county-commission-meeting-day-beach/8254745002/

West DeFuniak Elementary 5^th Grade Students are learning about the process of the water cycle. Students created miniature models of the process including evaporation, condensation, and precipitation.