The Walton County School District continues to make historical achievements in education! The Florida Department of Education recently published graduation data for the 2021-2022 school year showing our Walton County School District with a graduation rate increase of 5% in a single year which is phenomenal! This increase gives Walton County the third highest number of students receiving their diplomas; in fact, this is 10% above the state average! In an inclusive look, this is an unprecedented 20% percent increase in the last six years! We are proud of the students who worked hard and the teachers and staff who collaborated with them to help them succeed.
Walton School District celebrated excellent teachers and teacher support personnel at the annual Educational Support Personnel (ESP)and Teacher of the Year (TOY) Recognition Event this month. Each school’s staff selected and submitted the name of teacher and support personnel that they believed embodied the spirit of E.P.I.C. Those chosen represented their campus in the District selection for ESP and TOY. On Thursday, January 19,2023, Ms. Shelly Hinojosa was chosen as Teacher of the Year and Roslyn Chatman was chosen as Education Support Personnel of the Year Both will represent Walton County School District in State Competition later in the year. Congratulations to these ladies!
Tuesday, January 24th was an EPIC day of growth for the Walton County School District. Superintendent Hughes and the Walton County School Board donned hardhats and broke ground for the new Freeport Middle School. Later that morning, they attended the ribbon cutting for the new addition to Freeport Elementary School. This addition gives children new classrooms, cafetorium and an atrium for outdoor learning! Those attending the ribbon cutting enjoyed music provided by the Freeport Sophisticats led by Angela Saltsman.
Schools across our District celebrated the annual statewide Celebrate Literacy Week, Florida 2023, January 23-27. This year’s theme was Take a Deep Dive Into Literacy – Splash Into New Worlds! Schools throughout the district participated by reading books to deepen our students’ knowledge while supporting the New Worlds Reading Initiative program. The program provides high-quality, free books monthly to K-5 students performing below grade level in the hopes of instilling a love of reading.
Superintendent A. Russell Hughes is known for his enthusiasm for reading. He believes all students, teachers and parents should read something every day! Our elementary schools have added to this challenge by partnering with the St. Joe Foundation and Food For Thought in the “Read to Feed Program.” Students are challenged to read A.R. {Accelerated Reader) books which will earn $.25 per book read to be donated to Food for Thought to combat food insecurity for families. Students are encouraged to read and in addition, they gain valuable lessons about sharing and giving back! The total donated funds from student readings will be announced May 5, 2023. Watch your school’s website for the results!
Fine Arts students from eight district schools from all grade levels attended the Florida Music Education Association Conference and All State Concerts in Orlando, FL January 11-14, 2023. Students were able to participate in sessions which helped them perfect their musical talent and meet other musicians from across the state. Students from state schools comprised the concert band and chorus and presented to the awaiting audience as the culmination of the event. Our Walton County Fine Arts Teachers were in Orlando participating in Professional Development training and brought home a wealth of new strategies to engage our Fine Arts students.
The All County Band comprised of Middle and High School Honor Band Students with the All County Chorus Honor performed at Freeport High School Auditorium on the evening of January 24, 2023. Area band students presented a musical performance showcasing their musicality for the awaiting audience. Walton School District strives to create learning environments that support and encourage the talents of all students. The display of musical giftedness was evident this evening! Congratulations to all Honor musicians who participated!
Please remember our grading timelines and continue monitoring your child’s grades. January 5, 2023 was the last dissemination of report cards and your child should have brought their reports home. You are always able to review your student’s progress by accessing the student FOCUS Portal on your school web page. If you have questions, reach out to your child’s teacher. We are all partners in ensuring student success!
Author: Sowal Editor
Views: 0
