WCSD students participated in the annual Mock Trial event on January 28 and February 4. This took place at the Walton County Courthouse. A special thanks to our judges for overseeing this event and our teachers for helping our students prepare.
Freeport High School’s Sydni Free took the podium as a weightlifting STATE CHAMPION! She earned gold in snatch AND picked up a bronze in traditional combo lifts! This is the first state weightlifting title in school history. Incredible achievement for Sydni and Coach Owen Cole.
DeFuniak Springs, FL –
Walton Education Foundation awarded 18 Walton County senior high school students as nominees in the inaugural year of “No Ordinary JOE” scholarship program at the Walton County School Board meeting, held on February 1, 2022. The scholarship program is funded by The St. Joe Community Foundation.
“As Education is one of the Foundation’s pillars, this scholarship initiative recognizes the community’s extraordinary students who exhibit a strong sense of community and service,” said April Wilkes, Executive Director of St. Joe Community Foundation. “We want this initiative to encourage more students to become leaders in their communities.”
Walton County students selected in the scholarship program are nominated by their school administrators and receive $500 scholarships along with a special gift. Nominees are then eligible to make application to become their school’s No Ordinary JOE and receive an additional $2,500 scholarship. These winners will be announced in March 2022. Each of these students, one from each of the county’s public high schools, will then be invited to interview with a Selection Committee where one student will be named as Walton County’s No Ordinary JOE and receive an additional $10,000 scholarship. Walton County’s No Ordinary JOE will be announced in May 2022.
“Walton Education Foundation is proud to offer a connection of resources for Walton County students and this scholarship funding is an example of our mission to serve the education community in our county,” said Lindsey Harp, Executive Director, Walton Education Foundation.
Requirements and application details can be found at www.joe.com/community-foundation/no-ordinary-joe-scholarship.
2022 No Ordinary Joe Walton County Nominees
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Freeport High School Gabrielle Leavins Chad Patterson Olivia Rodgers
Paxton School Hailey Sexton Cassie Varnham Haley Hayes
Seacoast Collegiate School Knoxye Grinstead Ben Fanum Reagan Wells
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South Walton High School Hayes Gibson Dalton Robinson Jazlyn Karakorn
Walton Academy Emily Heath Hunter Blank Elizabeth Doyle
Walton High School Paige Crews Emily Casey Wes Corbin
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About The St. Joe Community Foundation
Since its inception, The St. Joe Community Foundation has provided more than $33 million in grants to improve the quality of life in the communities it serves. The Foundation provides charitable grants toward the civic infrastructure of communities in Northwest Florida. The Foundation’s primary focus is strengthening education, improving healthcare, protecting the environment and supporting local cultural interests. These efforts help build healthy, caring, long-lived communities. More information about the St. Joe Community Foundation can be found on its website at www.joefoundation.com.
About Walton Education Foundation
Walton Education Foundation is a not-for-profit organization established in 1995 by a rising need for support specific to teachers in Walton County. Growth has expanded the Foundation’s mission to support the entire education community including all teachers, each school, and every student. Walton Education Foundation provides annual giving and volunteer opportunities through a series of educational programs and grants including its Classroom Grant Program, as Take Stock in Children Lead Agency, and additional support of special events through the Walton County School District. We invite you to learn more about our initiatives at www.waltonedfoundation.org
COVID Update February 11, 2022
In the spirit of transparency, the Walton County School District (WCSD) will continue to update our stakeholders with COVID-19 data for the 2021-2022 school year.
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COVID-19 Statistics |
Single Day Data (2/10/22) |
% of total population (students and staff ~ 13,000) |
Overall Data to Date (8/10/21 – 2/10/22) |
% of total population (students and staff ~ 13,000) |
|
Positive COVID-19 Cases of School District Students and/or Employees
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5 |
0.04% |
*1574 |
12.11% |
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Quarantined Due to On Campus Exposure of School District Students and/or Employees
|
9 |
0.07% |
2359 |
18.15% |
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Quarantined Due to Off Campus Exposure (Community/Family Exposure) of School District Students and/or Employees
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0 |
0.000% |
950 |
7.31% |
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Schools Involved in Positive Cases and/or Exposure
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3 |
|
20 |
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Walton County School District COVID-19 Mitigation Strategies for the 2021-2022 School Year
*Please keep in mind that although COVID positive cases may represent a student or staff member within the WCSD, it does not necessarily indicate that the virus originated within the WCSD. It is also important to note that a portion of the positive cases involve individuals who may have never entered the school setting while sick due to proper quarantining.
WCSD Observes Black History Month- ESP Showcase Marcus Baldwin and Leola Russell
Marcus Baldwin
Marcus Baldwin Serves our Walton County School District as a custodian for Walton High School and a driver for the Transportation Department. Marcus has been an employee of our District for 30 years! He has 5 wonderful children; 4 girls and 1 son. Marcus is an avid sports fan and loves to sport Florida State memorabilia! His favorite hobbies involve any type of sports activities, but basketball and football are his favorites. Thank you, Mr. Baldwin for supporting children.
Leola Russell
Leola Russell is an employee with the Walton County School District Transportation Department. Leola’s career with the District began in 2003, where she served West Defuniak Elementary school as a member of their lunchroom staff. Ms. Russell retired in 2013 but quickly realized she missed working with children and returned to the District in 2014 as a substitute. She currently continues as a permanent employee assisting our student with special needs. Leola says she has 3 children; 2 girls and 1 son. She loves to shop and enjoys sharing good times with her children and grandchildren. Ms. Russell says “I love the children on my bus route, and they love me! Thank you, Leola, for sharing your love with the students of Walton County School District!
The Walton County School District would like to applaud our school counselors and recognize their efforts especially during National School Counselor Week, February 7-11, 2022. Our school counselors' contributions to our schools and the lives of students through their advice, encouragement, knowledge, kindness, and professionalism are immeasurable in helping students achieve school success and plan for a future.
The Walton County School District proudly showcases Kaitlin Barker from Walton High School. Mrs. Barker is in her first year as school counselor with Walton High School. She received her Bachelor of Arts from the University of Colorado at Boulder in Communication and her Master of Education in School Counseling from the University of Southern California. When asked why Mrs. Barker decided to become a school counselor she replied, "I started my career in Marketing and continued working in a variety of industries until I decided that I had a passion for Education. From my experiences, I learned that I had a love for helping people and decided to pursue School Counseling. I received my bachelor's degree in Communication, and Masters in School Counseling. I am passionate about helping students reach their full academic and social/emotional potential. I enjoy working with them to solve a variety of problems and encouraging them to do their very best in everything they do. My philosophy is to support and address the academic, college/career, and social/emotional needs of my students. I strive to advocate for them and do what is in their best interest. I believe that all students have the right to a safe and equitable learning environment and that every student is a unique individual. I truly enjoy being school counselor and I am honored to be a Walton Brave."
As National School Counselor Week comes to a close, please remember to continue to show your appreciation for the efforts of your school counselor throughout the remainder of the school year.
The Walton County School District would like to applaud our school counselors and recognize their efforts especially during National School Counselor Week, February 7-11, 2022. Our school counselors' contributions to our schools and the lives of students through their advice, encouragement, knowledge, kindness, and professionalism are immeasurable in helping students achieve school success and plan for a future.
The Walton County School District proudly showcases Tania Eastman from Freeport Elementary School.
My name is Aquila LaTania Eastman, but I prefer to be called Tania. I am the school counselor at Freeport Elementary School. I have been the school counselor at FES since 2020. I spent 10 years active duty in the United States Air Force as an information security/computer systems operator. After separating from the USAF in 2003, I completed my BS in Communication while serving as the children’s pastor at my church. Although I loved working with children in that capacity, it wasn’t until 2013 when my husband and I became foster-adopt parents and I saw the tremendous impact school counselors make on the lives of children, families, and communities. I wanted to be a part of that. I loved how the community of educators were reaching and teaching children every day, regardless of their background or struggles at home. Once our daughter became a legal member of our family, I went back to school to pursue my M.Ed. in School Counseling at Liberty University. I am incredibly blessed to be a part of the Walton County School District. I cannot imagine being able to live out my calling anywhere else.
Please make sure to reach out to your school counselor with some kind words of gratitude for all they do for you, your school and community.
Kindergarten Registration will be held Monday-Friday, March 7th – March 18th from 8:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. at all Walton County elementary schools for any child who will be five (5) on or before September 1, 2022.
Please click the links below for more informationLeana Andrews
Lena Andrews serves South Walton High School as their receptionist. She is the first person visitors meet when calling in or entering the doors of SWHS. This is her first year with our District. Leana enjoys reading and researching her favorite topics, shopping for the arrival of her first child, and eating. Leana says she is excited about the arrival of her daughter and wants to be the best mother possible. Thank you, Ms. Andrews for supporting the children of Walton County School District!
Margaret Porter
Margaret Porter serves South Walton High School as a custodian. She works to ensure the students and staff of South Walton High School have a clean and safe place to study and work. She has been with our District for four years and during the summer, will often work at other district sites. Ms. Porter has three girls and enjoys listening to jazz music, cooking, and decorating home. Thank you, Ms. Porter, for supporting the children of Walton County School District!
Theresa Brown
Theresa Brown serves South Walton High School as a custodian, along with her crew-mates she helps to maintain an orderly environment for students and staff. Ms. Brown has two girls and has served our District for five years. Ms. Brown loves to laugh and shares her smile with everyone! She is an avid fisherperson and an excellent cook. Thank you, Ms. Brown, for supporting the children of Walton County School District!
