District News

COVID-19 Update April 29, 2020

The Walton County School District would like to share three updates.

First, food distribution is being moved to Wednesdays in the month of May. Please plan to pick up food from our five locations or receive food from one of our 70 bus stops on these Wednesdays in May - May 6, 13, 20, and 27. Food sites will remain the same - Paxton, Mossy Head, Maude Saunders Elementary, Walton Middle, and Freeport High School. Times will remain the same for sites (9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.), and bus routes will also remain the same.

Next, Superintendent A. Russell Hughes has prepared an update for parents and students in the form of his monthly video. The video will be released later this week. Please look for it, and watch for details about academics, graduation, and more.

Finally, the Walton County School District has a new communication feature. Parents, students, and other stakeholders can text questions to 850-204-9667. Through this new number, the district will be able to provide a quick response for any issues or concerns that may occur with virtual learning. Text submissions are immediate, and a staff member should respond to you quickly.

Updated Grab and Go Flyer for May, 2020

Track season may have been cancelled, but that didn’t keep our athletes from continuing to work hard. Many of the athletes have been receiving daily workouts and a few of them were brave enough to send in pictures of their hard work. Coach Wilson and Coach Radney are proud of their athletes. They could not ask for a better group of kids!

During the week of April 20th, Dune Lakes Elementary School 5th Grade students participated in a nation-wide webinar, #hurricanesathome, presented by the National Hurricane Center. The webinars were hosted by a panel of hurricane specialists; many who also live in Florida. The webinar highlighted interesting facts like criteria of a meteorologist’s job, weather hazards associated with hurricanes and tracking hurricanes.

Hurricane season begins June 1st making these webinars especially important to students in Walton County and in all coastal areas.

Mrs. Hanson’s 5th Graders are making it EPIC3!

DLE Students Virtual Hurricane Webinar

We would like to recognize and congratulate one of our Paxton students, Holden Mitchell, who has been named a Semper-Fidelis All-American by the United States Marine Corps. “The Semper-Fidelis All-American program recognizes high school students who face life’s battles with the conviction and determination to succeed.” In the past, the program has many prestigious winners, such as Cincinnati Bengals quarterback, Joe Burrow. “These students embody the same fighting spirit that Marines stand for by taking on the challenges of succeeding academically while bettering their communities and excelling in athletics and extracurricular activities. They have turned obstacles into victories through drive and passion and will be recognized for their achievements at the exclusive Battles Won Academy to be held in Washington, D.C.” Congratulations, Holden.

Using appropriate protection equipment and social distancing, Superintendent Hughes was out again on Tuesday to see the kids and families as he helped with food distribution! He has been helping at various schools each week since the food distribution began in Walton County School District.

Seeing those faces is what keeps us going! So grateful for everyone that helps make this happen for our students each Tuesday!

Helping out at Walton Middle School

Supt Hughes Helps at WMS

Superintendent Hughes assisting at Freeport High School

Supt Hughes Helping at FHS

Helping out in car line at Paxton School

WDE Earth Day Earth Day is celebrated around the world every year on April 22^nd to recognize support for environmental protection. Teachers and students celebrate the holiday in class each year, but many celebrated this year by simply taking time to be surrounded by nature or by attending digital events.

Kaylee Jimenez, a 5^th grade student at WDE, celebrated by making an extraordinary and creative representation of Earth using natural materials. She also acknowledged items in her drawing that we can recycle throughout the year to do our part every day.

Kaylee’s creation reminds us all of the beauty of Earth and the importance of protecting it.

WDE Earth Day

COVID-19 Update April 18, 2020

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis held a press conference today, April 18, 2020, where he stated "Today I am also announcing that our K through 12 schools will continue with distance learning for the duration of the school year."

Upon receiving a formal statement from the Florida Department of Education, Superintendent A. Russell Hughes will release an update with more specific information.

Pic from FDOE Re School Closures

Actualización de COVID-19, 18 de abril de 2020

El gobernador de la Florida, Ron DeSantis, tuvo una conferencia de prensa hoy, 18 de abril de 2020, donde declaró: "Hoy también estoy anunciando que nuestras escuelas, grados K hasta 12, continuarán con la educación a distancia durante el año escolar".

Una vez que recibamos una declaración formal del Departamento de Educación de la Florida, el Superintendente A. Russell Hughes publicará una actualización con información más específica.

Walton County School District, Florida
Van R. Butler Elementary

When Yoga instructor Mandy Tinsley-Rodriguez from South Walton High School asked her students to journal their days and poses as part of a remote-learning assignment, she received a completely unexpected and beautiful surprise!

9th grade student Grace Minton included in her journal a beautiful poem that expresses her feelings on one of the most basic, yet most important of all emotions...love.

When we asked, Grace agreed to allow us to share her words.

Student Poem During Covid19

Supt Hughes helps out with meals at bus stop 4.13.20

Superintendent Hughes could NOT take it ANY LONGER! He had to get out and see some students. Using social distancing measures he took a selfie from more than 6 feet.

Results.....same big smile from students and parents; Bigger Smile from Superintendent Hughes...just housed under the mask!

Hard but it has to be like this for now!

A few pictures to show you what EPIC looks like to prepare and distribute 25,490 meals to 2,600 students and families in 4 hours in Walton County. There are many additional Super Heroes NOT pictured, as this was merely 3 distribution sites. Our dedicated bus drivers remain consistent and vigilant in making this happen in communities.

“Although these are difficult and unprecedented times I remain ONE PROUD Superintendent of Schools!” A. Russell Hughes:

It truly is EPIC3 to see our employees make this happen!