District News

COVID Update February 11, 2022

February 11, 2022

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. 

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

 

5

0.04%

*1574

12.11%

Quarantined Due to On Campus Exposure of School District Students and/or Employees

 

9

0.07%

2359

18.15%

Quarantined Due to Off Campus Exposure (Community/Family Exposure) of School District Students and/or Employees

 

0

0.000%

950

7.31%

Schools Involved in Positive Cases and/or Exposure

 

3

 

20

 

 

Walton County School District COVID-19 Mitigation Strategies for the 2021-2022 School Year

  1. If a person is sick (students, teachers, staff, and visitors), they should stay home.
  2. Face covering is optional for all, including the bus.
  3. Hand sanitizer is available at various areas inside the school.
  4. Social distancing from others is encouraged as much as possible.
  5. Signs will be displayed to remind those in schools about social distancing, as well as the use of hand sanitizer, washing of hands, and face coverings.
  6. Cleaning and disinfecting school facilities/buses which are occupied by students will be done daily.
  7. Adequate mitigation supplies are on hand at all schools/facilities (hand sanitizer, disinfectant wipes, masks, etc.).
  8. COVID-19 vaccination is optional for all students and employees.
  9. COVID-19 contact tracing is occurring in all schools/facilities (2021-2022 WCSD Decision Tree for employees and students).
  10. At this time non-essential visitors and volunteers are not allowed to enter schools. This mitigation strategy will be revisited in the next few weeks.

 

*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

February 11, 2022

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!

National School Counselor Week

February 10, 2022

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.

 

 

National School Counselor Week

February 10, 2022

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 March 7th-March 18th

February 10, 2022

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 information

WCSD Observes Black History Month-SWHS ESP Showcase

February 9, 2022

Leana 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!

National School Counselor Week, February 7-11, 2022

February 8, 2022

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 Ashley Caylor from Seaside Neighborhood School.  Mrs. Caylor is in her second year as school counselor with Seaside Neighborhood School. She attended the University of North Georgia, as well as Capella University.  When asked why Mrs. Caylor decided to become a school counselor she replied, "In middle school, I was fortunate enough to be selected as a peer helper.  I loved watching my peers grow and learn through skill building exercises, mending peer relationships through mediation, and curating a better environment overall for my school.  That stuck with me so much that I decided I wanted to experience that on a grander scale as a school counselor.  Now that it is my career, I love getting to build positive relationships with my students, identifying academic, emotional, and social needs, and setting up support systems at Seaside Neighborhood School so that our students feel supported and can strive for success here.  Getting to start my career with the most fantastic students is such a blessing, and I love getting to be their school counselor!" 

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.

Here Comes the Bus!

February 7, 2022

Here Comes the Bus -  A School Bus Tracking App for Parents

Tracking Features Shows the real-time location of your child’s bus on a map

Gives scheduled and actual arrival times at home and school for bus routes

Provides push and email notifications when the bus is near

Sign Up Instructions For Parents: 1.Download Here Comes the Bus app or visit herecomesthebus.com 2.Click the “Sign Up” button.  3. Enter school code 79381 and click “Next” followed by “Confirm.”  4. Complete the “User Profile” box 5. Under “My Students,” click “Add.” Enter your child’s last name and student ID number.  6. Once you confirm your information, you’re ready to begin.

Click the links below for more information.  

Having Problems Signing up???  Click the link below.

https://help.herecomesthebus.com/en/support/solutions/articles/22000203906-contact-support

Freeport High School Weightlifting

February 7, 2022

Sydni Free will be competing for a STATE CHAMPIONSHIP this Saturday! Sydni is the first member of the girls weightlifting team in FHS history to compete at the state level. She will be competing at Port St Joe High School at 2:30pm EST. 

WCSD Observes Black History Month- Katina Lee and Melinda Goodson Showcase

February 4, 2022

KATINA LEE

Katina Lee Serves Maude Saunders Elementary, West DeFuniak Elementary, Walton Middle School and Walton High School. She has been in our district 11 years serving as a District transportation professional and substitute cafeteria worker for Walton Middle School.  Ms. Lee is married and has 3 girls.  In her spare time you might catch her working on a new craft or decorating her home. Thank you, Mrs. Lee for supporting children.

MELINDA GOODSON

Melinda Goodson serves Mossy Head School, Richbourg Middle, Crestview, and God’s Special Angels as a third party commercial driver.  She has been in our district 11 years as a District transportation professional.  Along with her bus driving duties Ms. Goodman trains new drivers. She is married with 4 boys.  She loves helping people, driving her school bus, spending time with her family and sharing the Gospel, sports and fishing. Thank you, Mrs. Goodson for supporting children.

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