May is filled with excitement for the Walton County School District! Awards ceremonies, music concerts, art shows, drama performances, and senior activities create the backdrop for the culmination of a year’s hard work.

Students will highlight their efforts and showcase their learning as assessments begin across the district. We are proud of our student’s dedication and “stick-with-it-ness” as we near the 2022-2023 finish line! If your student participates in assessments this month, please ensure they attend school well-rested and nourished with a healthy breakfast. Having breakfast containing protein, fat, and carbohydrates helps children feel full and remain focused during their exams.

Students’ success comes through the partnership of parents, volunteers, and the community. April is the month volunteers are celebrated for the time they share with local Walton County School District schools. In addition, schools throughout the county held volunteer brunches and special lunches and gave appreciation awards to community members who shared time with students and faculty members.

Walton County School District is always seeking interested persons for volunteering and mentoring. If you are interested in volunteering or mentoring in our schools, please visit our web page for more information!

One of the many events volunteers may assist with includes the K-12 Special Olympics. The 2023 event was hosted Friday, April 28, 2023, at Emerald Coast Middle School track field. Students from across the District converged at the Santa Rosa Beach school to enjoy a day of friendly competition. Superintendent Hughes was there supporting student athletic efforts and taking selfies! K-12 student participants finished the day exhausted but happy about a fun-filled day and new friends!

The Rosemary Beach Foundation in collaboration with the Walton County School District will host the 12th Annual Music in Pictures student art awards program on May 4, 2023, in Freeport High School’s auditorium.

Music in Pictures is an educational art initiative and juried art contest open to ALL students in grades K-12 in the Walton County school system. Walton County students from 20 Walton County schools created a painting of their interpretation of classical music. This year’s Music in Pictures presented three beautiful pieces: Deep River by British composer Samuel Coleridge Taylor, La Mer[1]Movement II by French composer Claude Debussy and The Moldau by Czech composer Bedrich Smetana. From these entries, the judges selected Judges’ Awards, Chairman’s Awards, and Medalists who will receive their awards on Thursday evening.

Our 12th-grade students from all high schools look forward to their graduation day, culminating their twelve years of study! Superintendent Hughes, School Board Members, and the educators of Walton County are proud to have a ranking of #3 when it comes to graduating students; it’s the Walton County Way! We salute every student achieving this meaningful goal and encourage them to continue pursuing their dreams while always remembering to be E.P.I.C.! The graduation dates across the district have been provided below for those who want to support and encourage the graduating young adults:

May 18, 2023 –  Paxton High School (7 pm)

May 19, 2023 –  Freeport High School (7 pm)

May 20, 2023 – South Walton High School (7 pm)

May 23, 2023 – In10sity Magnet School (4 pm)

Walton High School (7 pm)

District Teachers and staff are looking forward to our Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week coming May 8-13. Thank you to all of the community businesses who contributed to making their week one to remember!

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