Using appropriate protection equipment and social distancing, Superintendent Hughes was out again on Tuesday to see the kids and families as he helped with food distribution! He has been helping at various schools each week since the food distribution began in Walton County School District.
Seeing those faces is what keeps us going! So grateful for everyone that helps make this happen for our students each Tuesday!
Helping out at Walton Middle School
Superintendent Hughes assisting at Freeport High School
Earth Day is celebrated around the world every year on April 22nd to recognize support for environmental protection. Teachers and students celebrate the holiday in class each year, but many celebrated this year by simply taking time to be surrounded by nature or by attending digital events.
Kaylee Jimenez, a 5th grade student at WDE, celebrated by making an extraordinary and creative representation of Earth using natural materials. She also acknowledged items in her drawing that we can recycle throughout the year to do our part every day.
Kaylee’s creation reminds us all of the beauty of Earth and the importance of protecting it.
COVID-19 Update April 18, 2020
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis held a press conference today, April 18, 2020, where he stated "Today I am also announcing that our K through 12 schools will continue with distance learning for the duration of the school year."
Upon receiving a formal statement from the Florida Department of Education, Superintendent A. Russell Hughes will release an update with more specific information.
Actualización de COVID-19, 18 de abril de 2020
El gobernador de la Florida, Ron DeSantis, tuvo una conferencia de prensa hoy, 18 de abril de 2020, donde declaró: "Hoy también estoy anunciando que nuestras escuelas, grados K hasta 12, continuarán con la educación a distancia durante el año escolar".
Una vez que recibamos una declaración formal del Departamento de Educación de la Florida, el Superintendente A. Russell Hughes publicará una actualización con información más específica.
Walton County School District, Florida
Van R. Butler Elementary
When Yoga instructor Mandy Tinsley-Rodriguez from South Walton High School asked her students to journal their days and poses as part of a remote-learning assignment, she received a completely unexpected and beautiful surprise!
9th grade student Grace Minton included in her journal a beautiful poem that expresses her feelings on one of the most basic, yet most important of all emotions...love.
When we asked, Grace agreed to allow us to share her words.
Superintendent Hughes could NOT take it ANY LONGER! He had to get out and see some students. Using social distancing measures he took a selfie from more than 6 feet.
Results.....same big smile from students and parents; Bigger Smile from Superintendent Hughes...just housed under the mask!
Hard but it has to be like this for now!
A few pictures to show you what EPIC looks like to prepare and distribute 25,490 meals to 2,600 students and families in 4 hours in Walton County. There are many additional Super Heroes NOT pictured, as this was merely 3 distribution sites. Our dedicated bus drivers remain consistent and vigilant in making this happen in communities.
“Although these are difficult and unprecedented times I remain ONE PROUD Superintendent of Schools!” A. Russell Hughes:
It truly is EPIC3 to see our employees make this happen!
COVID-19 Update April 13, 2020
On Tuesday, April 7th, the Walton County School District was able to feed over 2,500 students a total of eight meals (four breakfasts and four lunches) for a grand total of over 10,500 meals. This was a 37% increase from our daily distribution plan.
We want to thank everyone who made our first weekly food distribution possible! Thank you to our food service workers, bus drivers, custodians and plant managers, guardians, nurses, and school teams. We also want to thank all of the departments, such as our Facility Department, who sent teams to help prepare meals. It was a true team effort, and we appreciate all who contributed!
Parents, because of the success of Tuesday’s weekly distribution, we will continue this model as planned.
Upcoming dates for food will be April 14th, 21st, and 28th. On Tuesdays, parents will be provided with 10 meals per child (five breakfasts and five lunches). Our five food distribution sites will remain the same (Paxton, Mossy Head, Maude Saunders Elementary, Walton Middle, and Freeport High School); however, we have continued to make small adjustments to our transportation routes. Please see the attached stops. On Tuesdays, food distribution sites will be open from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Please continue to call or submit online questions to your child’s school if you need information about food, technology help, computer devices, paper portfolios, and more. We are here to help and continuing your child’s education is important to us!
