Walton County School District has been continually pressing toward a state ranking of number one. Superintendent A. Russell Hughes’ theme for the 2021-22 school year, “Recalibrated, Refocused, Ready and Rocking,” has been validated by excellence across the District!

Graduation rates have held steady even through the challenging loss of face-to-face instruction. Children have continued to learn and encounter challenging curricula every day. Our District celebrated Literacy Week January 24-28, 2022 observing the Florida Department of Education’s theme “Launch into Literacy.” All schools participating were able to read books with various settings supporting the New Worlds Reading Initiative program released during the fall. Literacy Week aims to raise awareness about the importance of reading and inspire our students and their families to make reading a part of their daily routine.

Our Arts program continues to grow, and our All-County Honor Band is the epitome of excellence! On Tuesday evening, January 24, 2022, the All-County Honor Band showcased its musical talent. Band students from schools across the District came together, creating one large ensemble. Eddie Steadman, a middle school clinician, and Jeff Adams, a high school clinician, lead these students in a rousing performance. We are proud of the musical talent and efforts of these students!

WCSD is proud to announce Kathryn Benson as the new administrator of Magnet Programs. Ms. Benson is the daughter of a teacher and a minister. She was surrounded by education and people who passionately supported the profession her entire life. As a previous high school teacher and college instructor, Ms. Benson taught multiple subject areas. Her work in remedial through advanced courses helped boost the high school’s grade and significantly improve its graduation rate. Please join Superintendent A. Russell Hughes and Walton County School District in welcoming Ms. Kathryn “Kate” Benson to Walton County and the Magnet Innovation Center at St. Joe WaterSound.

February is CTE Month, and WCSD’s Career and Technical (CTE) programs are celebrating and highlighting the value of CTE. CTE offers a way for students to gain skills and earn certifications in some of Florida’s most critical and desirable industries. In addition, unlike traditional higher education, CTE programs can set individuals on the right path in less time with less cost. That means they can get into a career today without worrying about debt tomorrow. For more information, please visit www.walton.k12.fl.us/career-and-technical-education  or https://gettherefl.com/.

February is also the month WCSD observes Black History Month. In the past, national figures have been highlighted, but we will showcase our African American Educational Support Personnel across the District this year. Walton County School District ESPs work each day tirelessly to support the educational efforts of teachers and students. See how many you recognize!

Summer VPK registration begins March 1-12. Your child must be 4 years old by September 1, 2022, to be eligible for VPK 2022-23 school year. In addition, your child should not be previously enrolled in a VPK program or have attended kindergarten. Please visit the Walton County School District web page for more information or visit www.walton.k12.fl.us/?a=Files.Serve&File_id=A435303C-FB92-49A1-98C1-17AED0919BD0

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