COVID-19 Update April 13, 2020
April 13, 2020
COVID-19 Update April 13, 2020
On Tuesday, April 7th, the Walton County School District was able to feed over 2,500 students a total of eight meals (four breakfasts and four lunches) for a grand total of over 10,500 meals. This was a 37% increase from our daily distribution plan.
We want to thank everyone who made our first weekly food distribution possible! Thank you to our food service workers, bus drivers, custodians and plant managers, guardians, nurses, and school teams. We also want to thank all of the departments, such as our Facility Department, who sent teams to help prepare meals. It was a true team effort, and we appreciate all who contributed!
Parents, because of the success of Tuesday’s weekly distribution, we will continue this model as planned.
Upcoming dates for food will be April 14th, 21st, and 28th. On Tuesdays, parents will be provided with 10 meals per child (five breakfasts and five lunches). Our five food distribution sites will remain the same (Paxton, Mossy Head, Maude Saunders Elementary, Walton Middle, and Freeport High School); however, we have continued to make small adjustments to our transportation routes. Please see the attached stops. On Tuesdays, food distribution sites will be open from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Please continue to call or submit online questions to your child’s school if you need information about food, technology help, computer devices, paper portfolios, and more. We are here to help and continuing your child’s education is important to us!
Revised Bus Stops for April 14, 21, and 28
WCSD District Office Closed Today at 1:00 pm for Cleaning
April 10, 2020
The Walton County School District Office located at 145 S. Park Street, DeFuniak Springs, FL. will be closed today at 1:00 pm for cleaning.
Please continue to contact us through email or by phone.
WMBB Channel 13 reporter, Courtney Mims, interviewed ECMS teacher Saige Merchant following a special assignment she gave to her 8th grade students asking what they were grateful for during the COVID-19 crisis.
Click the link below to access the article!
District Staff and Administration Working Together at WMS to Prepare Meals for our Students!
April 3, 2020
Walton Middle School Cafeteria workers, Custodial workers, District maintenance staff, along with Keith Alford, Jeff Infinger, and Jill Smith from the District Facilities Department making it happen for families in EPIC3 fashion! They packaged over 1000 meals for the District’s Grab and Go Meal Program for next week! #UnsungHeroes #BehindtheScenes #ItTakesEveryone #TrueCaring
Grab and Go Meal Program
Superintendent A. Russell Hughes has streamlined food distribution to minimize exposure to COVID-19 and to also help you maximize your resources (gas, costs, and time). Our revised plan will focus on a single week day distribution- Tuesdays. On Tuesdays, parents will be provided with 10 meals per child (five breakfasts and five lunches). Our five food distribution sites will remain the same (Paxton, Mossy Head, Maude Saunders Elementary, Walton Middle, and Freeport High School); however, transportation routes will adjust slightly due to the larger distributions (please see our website). Our revised plan will begin April 7th and run every Tuesday for the month of April (April 7th, 14th, 21st, and 28th). On Tuesdays, food distribution sites will stay open longer – from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. – to accommodate the larger amounts of food being disbursed.
You can access the updated Food Distribution Bus Schedule (4.2.20) here
COVID-19 Update April 2, 2020
April 2, 2020
Parents, we want to ease your mind regarding food. Governor DeSantis issued a new executive order which defines essential services during our COVID-19 Emergency. One of those essential services is food distribution in which the Walton County School District is providing for our community during this pandemic.
Food distribution will continue as scheduled today, Friday, and Monday (April 6th). Beginning, Tuesday, April 7th, Superintendent A. Russell Hughes has streamlined food distribution to minimize exposure to COVID-19 and to also help you maximize your resources (gas costs and time). Our revised plan will focus on a single week day distribution - Tuesdays. On Tuesdays, parents will be provided with 10 meals per child (five breakfasts and five lunches). Our five food distribution sites will remain the same (Paxton, Mossy Head, Maude Saunders Elementary, Walton Middle, and Freeport High School); however, transportation routes will adjust slightly due to the larger distributions (please see the attached list). Our revised plan will begin April 7th and run every Tuesday for the month of April (April 7th, 14th, 21st, and 28th). On Tuesdays, food distribution sites will stay open longer - from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. - to accommodate the larger amounts of food being disbursed.
In addition to providing food, education is also an essential service and K-12 schools in Florida will continue to facilitate distance learning. Walton County Schools will continue to provide virtual education for your children through the At-Home Learning Calendars provided on your school’s website. Although our school campuses will minimize interactions to help slow the spread of COVID-19, our school leaders, teachers, and other support staff are essential workers and are able to be a resource for you and your family. Please continue to call or submit online questions to your child’s school if you need information about food, technology help, computer devices, paper portfolios, and more. We are here to help and continuing your child’s education is important to us!
Click here for Revised Food Distribution Bus Stop Schedule
Click here for Grab and Go Meal Plan Update beginning April 7, 2020
Actualización de COVID-19, 2 de abril del 2020
Padres, queremos que permanezcan tranquilos con respecto a la comida. El gobernador DeSantis emitió una nueva orden ejecutiva que define los servicios esenciales durante nuestra emergencia de COVID-19. Uno de esos servicios esenciales es la distribución de alimentos tal cual el Distrito Escolar del Condado de Walton está proporcionando a nuestra comunidad durante esta pandemia.
La distribución de alimentos continuará según lo programado hoy jueves, viernes y lunes (6 de abril). A partir del martes 7 de abril, el Superintendente A. Russell Hughes ha simplificado la distribución de alimentos para minimizar la exposición al COVID-19 y también para ayudar a maximizar sus recursos (costos de gasolina y tiempo). Nuestro plan actualizado se concentrará en una única distribución los días martes. Los martes, los padres recibirán 10 comidas por niño (cinco desayunos y cinco almuerzos). Nuestros cinco lugares de distribución de alimentos seguirán siendo los mismos (Paxton, Mossy Head, Maude Saunders Elementary, Walton Middle y Freeport High School); sin embargo, las rutas de transporte se modificarán basado en los lugares de distribución más grandes (consulte la lista adjunta). Nuestro plan actualizado comenzará el día 7 de abril y se realizara todos los martes durante el mes de abril (7, 14, 21 y 28 de abril). Los martes, los lugares de distribución de alimentos permanecerán abiertos más tiempo, de 9:00 a.m. a 1:00 p.m. - para acomodar las grandes cantidades de alimentos que se entregaran.
Además de proporcionar alimentos, la educación también es un servicio esencial y las escuelas K-12 en la Florida continuarán facilitando el aprendizaje a distancia. Las Escuelas del Condado de Walton continuarán brindando educación virtual a sus hijos/as a través de los calendarios de aprendizaje en el hogar que se proporcionan en la página Internet de su escuela. Aunque nuestros edificios escolares minimizarán las interacciones para frenar la propagación de COVID-19, nuestros líderes escolares, maestros y otro personal de apoyo son trabajadores esenciales y pueden ser un recurso para usted y su familia. Continúe llamando o envíe preguntas por internet a la escuela de su hijo/a si necesita información sobre alimentos, ayuda tecnológica, dispositivos informáticos, carpetas de papel y más.
¡Estamos aquí para ayudar y continuar con la educación de su hijo/a que es importante para nosotros!
Horario actualizado de autobuses de distribución de alimentos - 2 de abril de 2020, ver lista adjunta.
Translation courtesy of Maria Florencia Branagan. Van R. Butler Elementary School.
Mr. Varnum, Mr. Parker and Mr. Snell provided educational support to families by conducting home visits. Each professional adhered to CDC guidelines, yet a smile from a friendly face can be seen from miles away.
Meanwhile, at WISE Center Programs Mrs. Jackson and Mrs. McBroom are handing out needed school supplies to Pre-K students and parents in the parent pick up line. Students and teachers were happy to see each other again, even if just through the car window. Mr. Cotton is making sure that students have the technology they need to work from home by handing out Chromebooks and information.
Thank you to these amazing educators and many others throughout the school district, you are our EPIC!
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COVID-19 Update March 31, 2020
March 31, 2020
COVID-19 Update March 31, 2020
We have just received official word from the Florida Department of Education regarding school campus closures. The 3/31/20 press release states:
"Today, Commissioner of Education Richard Corcoran recommended that all Florida public and private K-12 school campuses extend campus closures through May 1, 2020. This recommendation follows President Donald J. Trump and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) extension of social distancing guidelines until April 30th."
Parents, please know that we always want to provide you with accurate and up-to-date information, which is why we waited until FDOE’s official press release. Based on the information above, Walton County School District will continue our At-Home Education Plan and school campuses will remain closed to students through May 1st.
Please be sure you have visited your child’s school website to receive this week’s school-based At-Home Learning calendar. The calendar will provide a list of resources for core subject areas. For specific questions about curriculum, instruction, and/or technology, please refer to your child’s teachers and/or your school. The district is continuing to work with the Florida Department of Education regarding attendance and grades, and updates will be provided soon.
Please remember that you can submit a question online to your school or school district by using the “Contact Us” tab on our websites. We are also available during regular school hours by phone. Again, thanks to everyone for being patient and understanding during this trying time.