Walton County - School District

Superintendent A. Russell Hughes has been named 2024 Florida Superintendent of the Year! The process for selecting Florida’s Superintendent of the Year was established by the American Association of School Administrators (AASA), a national organization of school superintendents and other educational leaders. Hughes will represent all Florida superintendents at the AASA’s 2024 National Education Conference February 15-17, 2024, in San Diego, CA, where Hughes will be recognized and honored for his public education service in Florida. The National Superintendent of the Year® Program pays tribute to the talent and vision of the men and women who lead our nation’s public schools. Congratulations to Superintendent A. Russell Hughes on this incredible honor and for his unwavering dedication and service to the students of the Walton County School District.

The Walton County School District would like to wish our community, students, and staff a happy Thanksgiving break! We hope you all enjoy time with family and friends. We are thankful for our students, our parents, our staff, our school board, and our community for their hard work so far this year making our school district EPIC!

Superintendent A. Russell Hughes was the keynote speaker this morning at the Freeport Merchant Association's monthly meeting. The FMA is compromised of over 120 businesses in the Freeport area with a mission to unite and serve their community. Superintendent Hughes spoke about his mission to develop students who are career ready when they graduate. He lauded Freeport's embracing of the District's many work initiatives and encouraged new businesses to be a part of the network of local entities helping our students learn and succeed. Of course, the members were very excited to hear of the new school construction in their community as well as the new CTE programs happening in the Freeport area schools.

The Florida Diagnostic & Learning Resources System (PAEC) is hosting a virtual workshop for parents, caregivers, and family members of children with disabilities and behavior challenges. This training is designed to be a tool to help families and caregivers understand the meaning of behavior and how to utilize behavior strategies at home. You can register at the link below! https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=xzhRzGw7t0-yBISuP3T2B-xhtvvddRBJoIwfdvOJd2JUOTBaMkw5NTNLVVJZT1pRQ0hTRUFMMEQ2Ry4u&origin=QRCode

Last Thursday was Family Night at Freeport Elementary School. Families had the opportunity to come and eat some tacos from the Taco 30a food truck before heading inside to enjoy science-based activities in the lunchroom. Down the hall were tables representing each grade level with information for families on what their grade level is doing, and finally the Book Fair in the Innovation Center at FES.

Last week, Superintendent A. Russell Hughes spoke at the 12th Annual Global Education Conference hosted by the Ohana Institute at Inlet Beach. This year's theme was Joy in the Journey - Superintendent Hughes spoke about the joy he found in the journey of children, seeing them grow, learn, and develop into the EPIC humans of our community. Their keynote speaker was actress Serinda Swan, who remarked that Hughes inspired her and her mission of ensuring all children have the opportunity to succeed. The Ohana Institute was founded by Lettye Burgtorf, and they bring Superintendent Hughes to the Global Education Conference each year to speak about the EPIC things happening in education in Walton County.

𝗠𝗛𝗦 𝗛𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗿𝘀 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗩𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀 On Wednesday, November 8, Mossy Head School honored veterans by hosting their annual Veterans Day program. Principal Leslie Hulion introduced the program, reminding students, faculty, staff, and guests about the importance of this special day backed by the sounds of The Mossy Head School Headliners performing several patriotic songs. MHS welcomed United States Air Force Master Sergeant Charles Hardy who spoke to the Mustangs about the United States military and his own service to protect our sacred freedoms.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗲 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱 Congratulations to Itzel Ruiz on having her art selected by a panel of judges to be displayed at the state capitol! The Walton County School District is. committed to Preparing the Whole Child for a Life of Success. Art, Music, Biology, Football, or Legos - you can nurture any dream!

𝗪𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗼𝗻 𝗠𝗶𝗱𝗱𝗹𝗲 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹 𝗖𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗯𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗩𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀 Walton Middle School has celebrated Veterans Day in EPIC fashion for over 50 years. Today, the gym filled with students and local veterans for a truly humbling celebration of those who have answered the call to protect our country. There are so many to thank, but among them are the WHS Air Force JROTC, WMS Chorus and Advanced Band, FFA members, Principal Jason Campbell, School Board members Tammy Smith and Jeri Michie, Mayor Bob Campbell, Commissioner Brad Drake, Superintendent A. Russell Hughes, and special guest speaker Colonel Camille Chigi. Thank you to all the veterans in attendance and the veterans around the world serving our great country.

Thursday is an early release day! Be sure to check your school's website and social media for information on site-specific release times.

𝗔𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁: 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗘𝘅𝗲𝗿𝗰𝗶𝘀𝗲 The Walton County School District will be conducting an active assailant training exercise the afternoon of Thursday, November 9th at South Walton High School in conjunction with the Walton County Sheriff’s Office, Walton County Emergency Management, South Walton Fire District, and other agencies. The safety of our students remains the District’s number one priority, and exercises like this ensure that all agencies involved work together toward the singular goal of keeping our children safe and efficiently coordinating their return to their guardians in the event of an emergency. Due to early release on the 9th, no students will be on campus during the exercise. Please be aware that there will be an increased presence of law enforcement, emergency, and school district personnel on-site and we ask that the public refrain from attempting to enter campus after students are dismissed from class.

Freeport Middle School Bulldogs are doing “Big Dog” things when it comes to academics, family, art, and PRIDE! None of the Faculty, staff, students, or administrators at FMS are waiting until the New School is Built to create new traditions, goals, or practices. Second-year Principal, Nathan Smith, feels the new synergy, teamwork, and success happening RIGHT NOW! As ecstatic as they are about the much-needed new school, they know It’s NOT the new building that’s bringing the value, it’s the incredible students and family that bring the true value! Superintendent Hughes stopped in to see The Awesome Dogs in the final year at the current Dog House. Let’s Go Dogs!

It's that time of year for Educational Support Personnel of the Year! The Curriculum and Instruction Department at the District office proudly presents Mrs. Susan Odom. Mrs. Odom goes above and beyond to support our schools, department, and District office. Thank you Mrs. Odom for all that you do for our District!

The WISE Center in DeFuniak Springs is one special place in the Walton County School District! Like all the other special places we have for children to attend, learn and GROW! Sometimes, BIG things start small...in science students learned, and put learning into practice, by building a bridge to scale that could accommodate traffic and weight, the same as engineers have to consider during construction. Amazing EPIC skills are being taught, exemplified, and practiced  throughout the District. New Principal Billy Johnson, teachers and staff; you are Bridge For Greatness! #EPIC6and1 #won-one

SWHS Volleyball won their opening state playoff game vs Wakulla in 3 sets! This was the quarter regional game and they will host the Second Round on Friday Night at SWHS! Way to go Seahawks!

This week is Red Ribbon Week and the District office dressed in red in support of a drug-free life for our students! If you're out and about this weekend, swing by the District office and check out the red lights installed supporting Red Ribbon Week!

Superintendent A. Russell Hughes bookended his day at West DeFuniak Elementary. Starting with drop off line and ending with pickup. This is the start of Red Ribbon Week and Shades Day, because for the students of West DeFuniak Elementary, the future is BRIGHT!

October is National Principals Month - we are truly blessed in Walton County to have the absolute best Principals in the nation! These individuals posses a servant's heart that is paired with an enthusiasm and tenacity that is unmatched. Ask any Principal in Walton County why they do what they do and every one of them will answer "We are all in for the students!" Stay tuned for some special highlights of each Principal in the District!

Congratulations to the SWHS Volleyball team! The Seahawks beat North Bay Haven in a three game series to become District Champions! Way to go! Look for more as they continue on!

The Walton County Fair is underway! If you're headed to the fair, stop by the WCSD booth and say hello!