District News

Why Engage in Challenging Coursework?

February 22, 2022

Why Engage in Challenging Coursework?

March 3, 2022, 6-7 PM (EST)

 

Please join the Florida Partnership on March 3, 2022 (6-7PM EST) as we discuss the importance of students choosing courses that challenge them beyond their comfort zones.  We will cover the reasons that having students engage in a productive struggle is essential to future-readiness and take a deep dive into the benefits of participating in Advanced Placement (AP) courses. This session is designed to provide information that will help students and parents make informed decisions about which academic pathway best supports their college and career goals.   

  

When: March 3, 2022, 6:00-7:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

 

Register in advance for this webinar:

https://collegeboard.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_WoNQFh4yTX6MOx5ZWQu5Eg

 

 

WCSD Observes Black History Month- Maude Saunders Elementary ESP Showcase

February 18, 2022

TABITHA BRITTEN

Tabitha Britten serves Maude Saunders Elementary school as their Data Control Specialist. She has been working in the Walton School District for eight years! Although you might not see Ms. Britten when you visit MSE, she is hard at work making sure our students have been registered properly, demographics are accurate, and all grades are recorded. Mrs. Britten has four children; one girl and three boys.  She enjoys cooking, spending time with her grandson, collecting stamps, playing the piano, bowling, and genealogy searches. Thank you, Mrs. Britten for supporting Walton County School District Children!

KALEA CALDWELL

Kalea Caldwell serves Maude Saunders Elementary as their secretary.  She is the first person you will meet as you enter MSE’s front doors!  Ms. Caldwell spends her day routing phone calls, checking students in and out of the building and screening visitors. Ms. Caldwell has served Walton School District for seven years. She enjoys eating out and taking a good nap! At other times Kalea likes to take long walks, read, cook or shop online. Thank you, Mrs. Caldwell for supporting Walton County School District children!

PAOLA BENITEZ

Paola Benitez serves Maude Saunders Elementary school as their Bilingual Aide. She assists our Spanish speaking students with communication and understanding their assignments. She has been working in the Walton School District for ten years! Ms. Benitez has also served the District as a translator for the Federal Programs Department. Mrs. Benitez enjoys traveling, cooking, dancing, working out and reading. Thank you, Mrs. Benitez for supporting Walton County School District Children!

ROSLYN CHATMAN

Roslyn Chatman serves Maude Saunders Elementary School as an Instructional Aide. Her duties include facilitating small groups for third and fifth grade students. Mrs. Chatman is married and has one daughter.  She enjoys cooking and traveling with her family.  She sings with her church choir and teaches liturgical dance for the youth. Thank you, Mrs. Chatman for supporting Walton County School District children!

CHRIS HOGANS 

Chris Hogans serves Maude Saunders Elementary School as a Paraprofessional in the Physical Education Department. He leads students in physical activity and games to keep their bodies in top physical health! Mr. Hogans says his hobbies include mixed martial arts, museum arts and watching movies.  His passion, however, is for fitness, and spoken word poetry. Thank you, Mr. Hogans for supporting Walton County School District Children!

  SHAREE CAMPBELL 

Sharee Campbell serves Maude Saunders Elementary School as a cook for the lunchroom. Her duties include preparing nutritious breakfasts and hot lunches for MSE students. Mrs. Campbell has two children; one daughter and one son. She enjoys cooking, walking spending time with the elderly taking in all the memories and history they will offer.  Sharee also like shopping, yard work and catering weddings and parties. Thank you, Mrs. Campbell for supporting Walton County School District children!

COVID Update February 18, 2022

February 18, 2022

COVID Update February 18, 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

(2/17/22)

% of total population (students and staff ~ 13,000)

Overall Data to Date

(8/10/21 – 2/17/22)

% of total population (students and staff ~ 13,000)

Positive COVID-19 Cases

of School District Students and/or Employees

 

0

0.00%

*1576

12.10%

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

 

0

0.00%

2362

18.17%

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

 

0

0.00%

954

7.34%

Schools Involved in Positive Cases and/or Exposure

 

0

 

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. Hand sanitizer is available at various areas inside the school.
  3. Cleaning and disinfecting school facilities/buses which are occupied by students will be completed daily.
  4. Adequate mitigation supplies are on hand at all schools/facilities (hand sanitizer, disinfectant wipes, etc.).
  5. COVID-19 contact tracing is occurring in all schools/facilities.
  6. At this time non-essential visitors and volunteers are not allowed to enter schools. Starting Tuesday, March 1st visitors and volunteers will be allowed to enter schools during the school day.

 

*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. Freeport Elementary School ESP Showcase.

February 18, 2022

LISA CALDWELL

Lisa Caldwell serves Freeport Elementary School as a Custodian.  She has worked in Walton School District for five years. Ms. Caldwell works to ensure students have a safe environment where they can learn and grow!  Lunch time is a busy time in schools and Ms. Caldwell lends her hand with lunch duty as well.  She has two children; one son and one daughter.  Lisa loves being with her family and friends, watching movies, listening to music, and shopping. She says, “I know I am going to enjoy my new little one coming in March- this will be my first grandbaby!”  Thank you, Ms. Caldwell, for supporting Walton County School District children!

COURTNEY KEY

Courtne Campbell-Key is an Exceptional Student Education non-instructional aide.  She has worked in Walton School District for 16 years.  She has three children; two daughters and one son.  Mrs. Campbell-Key enjoys sewing, reading, crafting, cooking and road tripping!  Courtne says “Every day is a good day to have a good day!”  Thank you, Mrs. Key, for supporting the students of Walton County School District!

CHARLES CALDWELL JR. 

Charles Caldwell is an employee at Freeport Elementary School as a Physical Education Paraprofessional.  He is actively involved with instructing students in warm-up dances, new exercises and even helping with boo-boos!  Mr. Caldwell serves on the FES safety team and pick-up/drop-off crew. He enjoys working out and lifting weights immensely and on his off days, he takes many, many trips to the beach. Mr. Caldwell likes listening to live music and eating out; in fact, The Bay is one of his favorite restaurants.  He says, “Anything fun and chill, I’m about!”  Thank you, Mr. Caldwell for supporting Walton County School District children!

 

Joy and Power in Reading

February 17, 2022

Mrs. Lewis’ 1st Grade Class were sharing with Superintendent Hughes their joy and power in reading. They were writing, spelling, and defining words like Creative, Exciting, and the likes.  What a joy it is to learn to read for students and what it was to se reading being taught by Mrs. Lewis and Coach Bumpers.  Parents remember a GREAT STRATEGY for students of all ages especially elementary is to allow your student(s) to read to you, neighbors, Grandparents, and any other persons you provide the opportunity to read to…..it’s a special part of what EPIC is all about.  We can all be EPIC as stakeholders in the WCSD!

WCSD Mock Trial

February 17, 2022

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.

WCSD High School Seniors Awarded in Inaugural "No Ordinary Joe" Scholarship

February 14, 2022

St Joe Video 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

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. 

 

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