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COVID-19 Update

We have several updates for you today.  Please see information below regarding food distribution and student medication pick up that will start Monday, March 23.  Educational updates will roll out this weekend along with a video message from Superintendent A. Russell Hughes.

Food Service

Starting Monday, March 23, 2020, five school sites will begin to provide food for children ages 1 to 18.

              * Paxton

              * Mossy Head School

              * Maude Saunders Elementary

              * Walton Middle School

              * Freeport High School

 

These five sites will provide a grab and go meal in the school’s car rider line.  You do not have to live in the school zone to receive food at the above sites.  If possible, if your school is not a site, please visit the site nearest to you.  For example, if your child attends Dune Lakes Elementary, a non-distribution site, you may pick up a meal at Freeport High School, a distribution site.  Children must be present in the car to receive a free meal.

 

School sites haven been chosen based on specific criteria as put forth by the Florida Department of Agriculture.  We may open additional sites as we can.

The schedule for food pick up at the five sites above are as follows:

* Monday, March 23 from 11:00 a.m.– 1:00 p.m. – lunch provided

* Tuesday, March 24 from 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. – lunch provided and next day’s breakfast

* Wednesday, March 25 from 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. – lunch provided and next day’s breakfast

* Thursday, March 26 from 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. – lunch provided and next day’s breakfast

* Friday, March 27 from 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. – lunch provided and next day’s breakfast

 

Starting Wednesday, March 25th, food distribution will also begin via bus transportation.  Over 95 bus stops will be put into place throughout the Walton County School District from 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. and look similar to our summer routes.  Buses will spend 10 minutes at each stop for parents to receive breakfast and lunch at the bus stop instead of visiting school sites.  School sites will also remain open as well.  More information about your area’s routes are to come.

As we provide meals, please know that we are taking health and safety protocols seriously.  All individuals preparing and delivering meals will follow CDC guidelines.

 

Medication

If your child has medication at school that you need at home, you can pick up medication from the school’s nurse starting Monday, March 23 through Friday, March 27 from 8:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m.  Medication will only be released to a student’s parent. 

All school campuses will be staffed with a small team on Monday, March 23.  Parents may enter the school office based on CDC guidelines regarding gatherings of 10 people or less.  If you are sick, please call your school instead of visiting. 

The Walton County School District does have an online system to answer any of your COVID-19/School Closure related questions.  Please click on the “Contact Us” tab on the right side of our website to submit a question or concern.  District staff is available to answer questions over Spring Break.  Thank you for your continued support and understanding in this time of uncertainty.  We appreciate everyone’s flexibility and patience.

 

COVID-19 Update 3/18/20

March 18, 2020

Please know that we are working on many topics that pertain to our students and employees over our Spring Break, especially as we continue to receive guidance from the Florida Department of Education regarding our school closure until April 15. 

 

The following are updates for parents and students:

* We recognize the importance of being able to reach out to your individual school and hearing answers from a voice you know.  Starting Monday, March 23, your school’s administration will be at work and able to answer your school specific questions via phone and email. 

* Food Service is preparing food distribution for students that will start Monday, March 23.  Locations and times will be announced by Friday.

* If your child has medication at school that you need at home, we will be arranging medication pick up starting Monday, March 23.  Times will be announced by Friday.

* The Walton County School District is working on continuity plans where education to students may be delivered in new and innovative ways, including virtually.  We have great day-to-day plans for our students that include all core subject areas and guidance for parents.  We also will have contact information for curriculum experts that will be available to assist students and parents.  Walton’s continuity plan will be released in a video message by Superintendent A. Russell Hughes.  Please look for the video on our website by Sunday.

* Governor DeSantis has waived state testing and school accountability grades for the remainder of the 19-20 school year.  Student grades and other data points specific to students will be determined in the coming days as school districts continue to receive guidance from the Florida Department of Education. 

* The Walton County School District does have an online system to answer any of your COVID-19/School Closure related questions.  Please click on the “Contact Us” tab on the right side of our website to submit a question or concern.  District staff is available to answer questions over Spring Break.

 

Thank you for your continued support and understanding in this time of uncertainty.  We appreciate everyone’s flexibility and patience.

Congratulations are in order for the South Walton Seahawk Concert Band for their Straight Superior ratings in concert performance at the Florida Bandmasters District Concert Band Music Performance Assessment in Chipley on Friday, March 6, 2020!!

The band spent long hours in preparation for weeks prior to the performance, and their efforts were rewarded with the high ratings, and a standing ovation from the audience!

As a result of their Superior ratings, the Seahawk Band will be moving forward to State Music Performance Assessment April 28 and 29 at the Mattie Kelly Fine Arts Center in Niceville on the campus of Northwest Florida State College.

Best of luck and skill to this band as they continue to pursue musical excellence!!! #GreatStrides #GoSeahawks #AlwaysReaching

SWHS Band at District MPA 2020

Students in Mrs. Collins Kindergarten class at West DeFuniak Elementary enjoyed listening to Mr. Douglas "Cat in the Hat" read his favorite book on March 2nd.  We celebrated Dr. Seuss' birthday and Read Across America day with our amazing guest readers, Dr. Seuss write the room activiies and creating our own Cat in the Hat hat. 

Congratulations to the Freeport High School Band for receiving Straight Superior Ratings at the Florida Bandmasters Association District Concert Music Performance Assessment on Friday, March 6, 2020! The panel of distinguished judges rated them high in all categories on the challenging program that included a riveting performance of Mussorgsky's Night on Bald Mountain, arranged by Mark Williams, and a standing ovation at the conclusion of their performance!

Now it's onward to State Music Performance Assessment on April 28 and 29 at the Mattie Kelly Fine Arts Center!!!

FHS Band at District MPA

FHS Band at District MPA

On Friday, March 6, Paxton School held their annual Autism Awareness Walk. All profits from this day go directly to students with autism through Friends For Autism Awareness, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. These students raised $1,225 on this day alone! Bobcats brought their BEST for this awesome event!

PAX Fund Raiser for Autism Awareness

This past week, members of the Spanish team attended their competition in which three members (Cheyanne Eubanks, Trinity Shedd, and Neli Santamria) presented poems and received trophies and SOBRESALIENTE (over-exceeding) ratings. Congratulations, team! 
Spanish Competition Members (Pictured L to R): Samuel Cook, Tyler Boldin, Neeko Brustie, Sponsor: Mrs. Micah Trinidad, Neli Santamaria, Cheyanne Eubanks, and Trinity Shedd.

Congratulations to the members of the Walton High School Band, and their director Peter Muller, for receiving a rating of Superior on a challenging program of musical selections at the Florida Bandmasters Association District Concert Band Music Performance Assessment on Friday, March 6, 2020 at Chipley High School!!  

The band is now eligible to perform at the State Concert Band Music Performance Assessment on April 28 and 29 at the Mattie Kelly Fine Arts Center in Niceville, FL.  

We are so proud of the work this band is doing, and can't wait to hear them perform at State MPA! Go Braves!