Fall approaches and temperatures are lower, but aspirations to be the number one district in the state of Florida are rising within the Walton County School District! Our students have just finished their first FAST (Florida Assessment of Student Thinking) Progress Monitoring window and teachers have reported students worked hard and put forth their very best effort. Walton County School District students know the Walton Way is to be EPIC in every endeavor and our student body meets this expectation with every opportunity!
Collaboration with our community is a huge facet of the WCSD being EPIC. In keeping with this, District offices and local schools partnered with the annual Walton County FAIR to support its endeavors to promote agriculture and home arts in the community. The FAIR provides the opportunity for our students to showcase their art, craft, livestock-rearing, and crop-growing talents! FFA (Future Farmers of America) students brought in porcine stock they raised to be evaluated by local judges including swine stock owners. During presentations, the students handled and showed their own animals. Walton High School’s culinary team shared their cooking talents by providing the judges with a hearty breakfast after the judging was completed.
Our community first responders and firefighters were recognized at our elementary schools to celebrate National Fire Prevention Week, October 8 – 14, 2023. Firefighters visited local schools and taught students about the importance of safe cooking, having an evacuation plan and meeting point at home and keeping fire alarms armed and working in their homes. Mr. Hughes thanked the first response teams for responding to our schools’ invitations and their vigilant service to our community.
Not only were students learning to stay safe around fires, but bus riders were also reminded to maintain safe bus riding practices during National Bus Safety Week, October 16-20, 2023. Superintendent Hughes urged all bus-riding students to observe the safety rules on their buses and follow all safety guidelines. “We want every student to arrive at school safely and get home safely,” he said (see below for common bus safety rules).
Walton County District offices lit up its district offices in red to observe Red Ribbon Week which is observed October 23- 31. In doing so, the district was following suit with other national and state landmarks lighting up their buildings to bring awareness to living a drug-free life. We hope that you were able to drive by and enjoy the display during this time of recognition.
Walton County’s Principals were highlighted on our website during the month of October in recognition of National Principals Month. Each of our highly skilled and professional school leaders was recognized with a mini-documentary giving you unknown details about their experience and motivation for the jobs they perform daily. To listen to these principals tell their stories, go to https://www.walton.k12.fl.us/live-feed#4796001.
In athletic news, the South Walton High School girls’ volleyball team bounced away with the District Championship title against North Bay Haven in a three-game series! Congratulations Lady Seahawks!
Students will have an early release day on November 9, 2023, and all students will be out while our staff participates in professional development to keep our teachers abreast of new educational strategies and skills so our students are challenged and on the cutting edge of learning. The Veteran’s Day holiday observance is November 10, 2023 and school will be suspended for students and staff.
Thanksgiving Holidays are approaching November 20-24, 2023. This is a time of reflection and thanksgiving for all students, teachers and staff. Take time to enjoy your families and rest. Students and staff will return on November 27, 2023, ready to continue our EPIC quest toward number one!
Remember, you may always reach out and ask questions through the Let’s Talk platform. This community digital tool automatically delivers your text questions to the appropriate personnel for a speedy reply. Text 850.204.9667 or click “contact us” on the WCSD webpage.
Author: Sowal Editor
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