
Superintendent Hughes dropped into to VRB this week to check on the Bears! They were not doing the “The Bare Minimum” but doing their “Beary Best Work”! It was also "Iconic Music Star" dress up day to support homecoming in the South Walton High School. Go Bears!










South Walton High School is gearing up to battle Florida State University High School this evening for Homecoming. The District office wore green to show our Seahawks some support! Tonight's game against FSUHS is at 7pm @ Emerald Coast Middle School. Grab your green, and cheer on the Seahawks!


It is Homecoming week for our South Walton Seahawks! Today they dressed up as rivals or icon duos! Some took the assignment a step further and had iconic clans! Can you spot Mrs. Borthwick and her pups!









Help us congratulate Hope Allen and Hillary Williams on their recent promotion from TSA(Teacher on Special Assignment) to Assistant Principal! Mrs. Allen is at West DeFuniak Elementary and Mrs. Williams is at Freeport High School.
The process of becoming an Assistant Principal can take several years, but is at least two years. Teachers start as a "Teacher on Special Assignment" and spend at least two years working under a Principal while learning the intricacies of the job. After that two years, they are eligible to apply for promotion and go through a rigorous interview.
Congratulations to these two dedicated educators!







It's Attendance Awareness Month and Mrs. Laird's Kindergarten class is celebrating perfect attendance in style! Students who have had perfect attendance so far this year were allowed to wear their favorite hat in class! Way to go kids!
Did you know poor attendance in early grades has a strong correlation with poor reading skills later?


The Walton County School District received information from students and parents regarding a possible threat on social media.
Our safety experts, including the Walton County Sheriff’s Office, have investigated the threat. The post originated outside our state and shared by a Walton County student. We have made contact with that student as well as his family. Through the investigation, the threat has been deemed not credible. There have been additional comments added to the post, which led to misinformation and rumors. These comments have also been vetted and deemed unfounded. We will continue to stay engaged, following through on any rumors that may pose a threat, keeping our students safe and our parents and stakeholders informed.
To be proactive, the Walton County School District has increased safety measures and personnel at schools, and we will continue to remain vigilant as our country has experienced an increase in school violence and threats over the past few weeks.
Please know we take every school threat seriously, and we encourage all individuals to continue to “See Something, Say Something” and utilize our additional safety tools, such as school administration, The Walton County Sheriff’s Office, and Fortify Florida. As always, the safety of our students and staff continues to be, and will always be, a priority for Superintendent A. Russell Hughes and the Walton County School District.


Today, we remember and honor those whose lives were taken 23 years ago. We also raise up those who answered the call to aid in the recovery, clean up, and restoration effort.


September is Attendance Awareness Month and we'd like to invite YOU to partner with the WCSD to help ensure that students attend classes! Find more at www.walton.k12.fl.us/attendance


There are so many ways to get involved and be a positive influence on the lives of children in Walton County! Superintendent Hughes dropped by West DeFuniak Elementary's School Advisory Council meeting to check in! If you're interested in being a part of your child's School Advisory Committee, contact the school and let them know you're ready to pick up an oar and help us row for the goal!





All Walton County School District campuses and offices will be closed on Monday, September 2nd in observance of Labor Day!


"I" is for Innovation! Meet Milo - WCSD's newest innovative tool to help our early learning students with positive behavior support. During professional development today teachers came in waves to learn how to use Milo to help our students. Of course, being a little shy theirselves - Milo opened up a bit once Superintendent Hughes got them in a selfie!





As a reminder, today is an early release day!


Have you seen these sleek publications around the county? According to local realtors, the number one reason people are flocking to Walton County is our school district! These magazines highlight the incredible accomplishments of our students, teachers, and staff. If you think your establishment's patrons would benefit from being able to read about our district contact our Public Information Officer, Dr. Joshua Bledsoe at Joshua.Bledsoe@walton.k12.fl.us


Friday, August 30th is an early release day! If you're not sure what time your school releases you can contact them directly, or text your question to 850-204-9667


"In the boat for the goal" is Superintendent Hughes' theme this year. We all succeed together! There are many boats within the WCSD boat, and one of those is our administrators. They're all in the same boat, rowing the same direction, toward the same goal - with Superintendent Hughes in the coxswain seat. Each month, our Principals get together to hear from Superintendent Hughes and his Cabinet. That's how everyone reaches the goal at the same time.



Let's Talk! A lot goes on in the lives of students and sometimes you have questions that aren't easily found - we can answer those! (we can answer the easy ones too). Put us in your phone contacts, and if you have a question, send us a message and we'll make sure it gets to the right place. You can also visit us online at walton.k12.fl.us/letstalk and route your question yourself.


This evening is "Back-to-School" night at the Blue Wahoos stadium and Superintendent A. Russell Hughes threw out the first pitch! When asked what he would name this pitch, he called it "the two finger EPIC ball!" - thanks for throwing strikes and hitting home runs for the students of Walton County!





We have so much to celebrate! Our students finished their first week of classes and did so in EPIC fashion! The 24-25 school is going to be a special year! Grand Canyon University's Development Counselor also dropped by today to celebrate WCSD being an A+ school district!



Welcome Back! Our kids had an incredible first day of the 24-25 school year! 12,000 excited students were met by 1,600 excited teachers and staff. Stay tuned for more from the first week back!




We are so close! First day of school is August 12th! Make sure your children get plenty of sleep before this weekend so they're ready Monday morning.
