District News

Florida Department of Education Announces Florida Standards Listening Tour Stop in Walton County!

October 23 – Walton County, Walton High School 5:30 to 6:30 pm. Doors open at 5:00 pm

In January, Governor DeSantis issued Executive Order 19-32 to ensure Florida has the best academic standards in the nation by eliminating Common Core and paving the way for Florida students to receive a world-class education to prepare them for jobs of the future. This mandate directed Commissioner Corcoran to comprehensively review the academic standards for Florida’s kindergarten through grade twelve students and provide recommended revisions to the Governor by January 1, 2020.

Department leadership have been in constant communication with over 30 organizations and stakeholders presenting and discussing the standards review process including the Florida Association of District School Superintendents and Florida PTA. Eighty one Florida school districts and entities are represented and over 74,000 reviews have been submitted by the public.

“Our team has been working tirelessly on the revised draft, and we truly appreciate all of the input we have received from Floridians thus far,” said Commissioner of Education Richard Corcoran. “Success is our standard and we are looking forward to hosting the upcoming listening tour to ensure that Florida has the best academic standards in the nation.”

Floridians will have the opportunity to offer public input during the Florida Standards Listening tour stops.

On Tuesday, October 15th, Walton Middle School sixth graders embarked on an upriver cruise aboard the S.S. Nile in Mr. Paul Baur and Mr. Tracie Jordan's social studies classes. While serene scenes from the Nile River played on the ClearTouch board at the front of the room, students received instructions from their captains, Mr. Baur and Mr. Jordan, about that day's learning excursions. The captains instructed passengers to disembark at different stations around the room, where they read texts and studied pictures about Ancient Egypt. At each unique destination, students captured their learning in a mock Instagram post that summarized their learning with a caption, image, and key facts. They even shared their posts with peers, who commented on their learning, much like they would do on social media. After finishing at one station, the S.S. Nile then transported students to their next destination, where their learning continued. Throughout this imaginative and interactive lesson, students collaborated to analyze how the Nile River affected ancient Egyptian life and, even more importantly, how geography influences how people live. Students were productively engaged aboard Captain Baur and Captain Jordan's virtual cruise. Who knows where their next learning destination will be.

Secretaries from across the WCSD and 14 other member districts attended the 2019 Secretarial Conference sponsored by the Panhandle Area Educational Consortium (PAEC) on Friday, October 11. Superintendent A. Russell Hughes addressed the participants during the welcome and opening events. Attendees had the opportunity to hear speakers on topics such as Clear Communication; Professionalism; Teamwork; Respectful Listening; Problem-Solving; and Technology Tips.
Secretarial employees attended sessions designed to give them some new tools for success, and to discuss and share information that would be beneficial as they engage in their daily responsibilities.
We definitely appreciate our school and administrative secretaries for all they do to keep things moving forward in the WCSD!

Earlier this month, Freeport Middle School AVID students visited Emerald Coast Technical College in Defuniak Springs as part of their college and career-readiness curriculum.

October is Down Syndrome Awareness month, so students and staff at Mossy Head School wore blue and yellow to show our support for Down Syndrome Awareness. Down Syndrome Awareness month gives us the opportunity to spread awareness, advocacy and inclusion in our community.

Seniors Chelsey Christopher and Jalen Romanski

Seniors Micah Rudzki and Savannah Evans

Seniors Fiona Morris and Tyo Smith

Seniors Madison Hernandez and Turner Porterfield

Juniors Maggie Edwards and Strother Allen

Juniors Chyanne Massey and Pablo Robles

Sophomores Adison Sears and Paul Jacobsen

Sophomores Katie Nelson and Noah Ford

Freshmen Meril Lagasse and Talon Lowitz

Freshmen Ada Roberts and Maris Rudzki

King and Queen: Micah Rudzki and Fiona Morris

Superintendent Hughes held a Town Hall Meeting on Thursday, October 10, at Freeport High School. Topics addressed were Rapid Growth; Educational Impact; Construction and Expansion; Future Goals and Expected Outcomes; and Timelines. Those attending were provided the opportunity to ask questions and offer comments.

Town Hall

Superintendent Hughes was in Tallahassee, Florida Monday, October 14, 2019, speaking at a Senate Education Committee Meeting on Educator Professional Development. Thank you, Superintendent Hughes, for being a voice for Walton County School District!

Supt Hughes at Senate Ed Meeting

Superintendent Hughes takes a moment to take a selfie with students in the pickup line at FES Thursday afternoon! #AllSmiles

Superintendent Hughes says Classroom Walkthroughs are sometimes tough when the Instructional Strategy involves food! Ms. Purdy was armed with her Wheaties in 4th Grade at FES, and Ms. Hudson was teaching triangles to Kindergarten Students using Pizza as a visual. EPIC3 comes with a cost!
Best teachers in the world doing best practices in the world attempting to produce the best students in the world! This is NO EASY TASK; Parents have a lot to be thankful for in WCSD!

Florida Department of Education Florida Standards Listening Tour Tomorrow Night, Wednesday, Oct. 23, at Walton High School!!

October 16, 2019

Setting Sail on the S.S. Nile in Sixth Grade Social Studies at WMS

October 15, 2019

WCSD Staff Attend PAEC Secretarial Conference 2019!

October 15, 2019

FMS AVID Students at ECTC

October 15, 2019

MHS Supports Down Syndrome Awareness

October 15, 2019

Congratulations to South Walton High School 2019 Homecoming Court!

October 14, 2019

Superintendent Hughes Holds Town Hall Meeting in Freeport

October 14, 2019

Superintendent Hughes Speaks at Senate Education Committee Meeting

October 14, 2019

#AllSmiles in the Pick Up Line at FES with Supt Hughes!

October 11, 2019

Superintendent Hughes Visits Freeport Elementary School!

October 11, 2019