Okaloosa County School District

District officials are monitoring a line of severe weather that will move through our area overnight. Due to the timing of the storm, all school start times will be delayed one hour tomorrow, Wednesday, January 25. Bus riders should arrive at their bus stop exactly one hour later than usual. Car riders should be dropped off one hour later. Schools will release at their regular dismissal time. Please see your school’s website or social media for any other important information specific to your school. We appreciate Director of Emergency Operations, Patrick Maddox and his team for their assistance today.

We have been advised that Ruckel Middle will not receive power in a timely manner. We are asking parents to pick up their students as soon possible. Supervision will be provided for those who cannot be picked up and lunch will be served. Buses will run at their regular times. When picking up your child, avoid Palm Boulevard as it is closed due to the traffic accident. Updates will be provided as we receive them.

Power has been restored at Niceville High School and operations are continuing as normal.

This week is 𝘾𝙚𝙡𝙚𝙗𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙚 𝙇𝙞𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙖𝙘𝙮 𝙒𝙚𝙚𝙠, 𝙁𝙡𝙤𝙧𝙞𝙙𝙖! Celebrate Literacy Week (CLW) is designed to raise awareness about the importance of reading and to inspire Florida's students and families to make reading part of their daily routines. Schools throughout the Okaloosa County School District have fun activities scheduled all week to increase students' interest in reading including themed dress up days, hosting literacy nights for families, and teachers inviting community members to come read to their classes! Keep an eye on your school's social media and website for their planned events! #NextGenOCSD #FLCelebratesLiteracy @EducationFL

In observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, all Okaloosa County School District schools and offices will be closed on Monday, January 16th.

Join us tomorrow, Saturday, January 14th, at Choctawhatchee High School for our annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Oratorical and Poster Contest. Between 10 am and 12:30 pm members of the public are invited to attend this special event where students from across the school district will recite their speeches and present their artwork that illustrates this year's theme: "Standing Together in Solidarity and Unity."

We are excited to announce our Assistant Principals and Principals of the year! Assistant Principals: ☆ Mandy Lopez, Walker Elementary School ☆ Victoria Hurley, Baker School Principals ☆ Donna Kelley, Northwood Elementary School ☆ John Spolski, Fort Walton Beach High School We are proud that these great administrators represent the Okaloosa County School District! Congratulations!

Okaloosa School District Officials have consulted with Okaloosa County Director of Public Safety Patrick Maddox while monitoring a line of severe weather that will affect Okaloosa County tonight, December 14. All activities scheduled to take place after 6 pm are canceled to ensure the safety of our students and staff. All after-school activities, including extracurricular activities, daycare, and tutoring that occur before 6 pm, will continue as scheduled.

Do you need help studying for the ACT/SAT? Do you need a tutor for math, science, or your AP classes? Okaloosa County School District has partnered with FEV Tutor to offer free tutoring through your Classlink portal. FEV Tutor is hosting a free webinar for students and families to introduce this new resource and answer questions you may have. Please access the Zoom Meeting via the link below on Thursday, December 1 at 6pm! https://fevtutor.zoom.us/j/91872391456?pwd=dnJMNUlyU1duK0hobkV1bzR1TlZ0UT09

Congratulations to the Ruckel Middle School volleyball team for winning the Middle School Athletic Conference (MSAC) Championship this week! Destin Middle School was the runner-up! We applaud all of the athletes for completing a very successful season!

ℕ𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟𝕒𝕝 𝕊𝕔𝕙𝕠𝕠𝕝 𝔹𝕦𝕤 𝕊𝕒𝕗𝕖𝕥𝕪 𝕎𝕖𝕖𝕜 𝗢𝗻𝗲 𝗕𝘂𝘀 + 𝗢𝗻𝗲 𝗗𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿 = 𝗔 𝗕𝗶𝗴 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝗼𝗻 𝗘𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 A safe ride is the goal each day in Okaloosa County as more than 16,000 students use the School Bus as transportation between neighborhood and classroom. This week we will be sharing tips to keep our students safe at the bus stop! 𝗠𝗼𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗲 𝗗𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀 Cell phones and other electronic devices are often permitted on the school bus as long as: ‣They are in backpacks or other holders, keeping hands free to use handrails while boarding and departing the bus. ‣Sound is muted or headphones, earbuds, or similar devices are used. ‣Content does not violate the law or school district policy and procedures. ‣Use does not create a distraction for the driver. Check our website www.okaloosaschools.com for more information about National School Bus Safety Week including a National Poster Contest!

ℕ𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟𝕒𝕝 𝕊𝕔𝕙𝕠𝕠𝕝 𝔹𝕦𝕤 𝕊𝕒𝕗𝕖𝕥𝕪 𝕎𝕖𝕖𝕜 𝗢𝗻𝗲 𝗕𝘂𝘀 + 𝗢𝗻𝗲 𝗗𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿 = 𝗔 𝗕𝗶𝗴 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝗼𝗻 𝗘𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 A safe ride is the goal each day in Okaloosa County as more than 16,000 students use the School Bus as transportation between neighborhood and classroom. This week we will be sharing tips to keep our students safe at the bus stop! 𝗚𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗢𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗢𝗳𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝘂𝘀 ‣Warn children that if they drop something getting on and off the bus, they should never pick it up. Instead, they should tell the driver and follow the driver's instructions. ‣Remind children to look to the right before they step off the bus. ‣If you meet your child at the bus stop after school, wait on the side where the child will be dropped off, not across the street. Children can be so excited to see you after school that they dash across the street and forget the safety rules. Check our website www.okaloosaschools.com for more information about National School Bus Safety Week including a National Poster Contest!

The Culinary Arts Students at Crestview High School prepared a delicious lunch for the Crestview Rotary's weekly meeting on Wednesday. This course has a competitive application process due to the rigorous expectations set by Chef Tingle in a welcoming learning environment. Students will take the ServeSafe certification exam which offers many opportunities to advance their career locally. Chairman of the School Board, Tim Bryant, organized the event and took the time to share the amazing opportunities provided to our students through our Career and Technical Education courses.

ℕ𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟𝕒𝕝 𝕊𝕔𝕙𝕠𝕠𝕝 𝔹𝕦𝕤 𝕊𝕒𝕗𝕖𝕥𝕪 𝕎𝕖𝕖𝕜 𝗢𝗻𝗲 𝗕𝘂𝘀 + 𝗢𝗻𝗲 𝗗𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿 = 𝗔 𝗕𝗶𝗴 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝗼𝗻 𝗘𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 A safe ride is the goal each day in Okaloosa County as more than 16,000 students use the School Bus as transportation between neighborhood and classroom. This week we will be sharing tips to keep our students safe at the bus stop! 𝗔𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝘂𝘀 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗽 ‣Have children wait in a location where the driver can seem them while driving down the street. Try to avoid waiting in a house or car. ‣Do not let children play in the street. Playing with balls or other toys that could roll into the street is also dangerous. Check our website www.okaloosaschools.com for more information about National School Bus Safety Week including a National Poster Contest!

Mrs. Katie Menges, Chorus Teacher at Addie R. Lewis School, presented Principal Lindsey Smith and Assistant Principals Jordan Berry, and Amy Pendleton with the DOD ESGR (Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve) "My Boss is a Patriot" award! Read more on www.okaloosaschools.com

ℕ𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟𝕒𝕝 𝕊𝕔𝕙𝕠𝕠𝕝 𝔹𝕦𝕤 𝕊𝕒𝕗𝕖𝕥𝕪 𝕎𝕖𝕖𝕜 𝗢𝗻𝗲 𝗕𝘂𝘀 + 𝗢𝗻𝗲 𝗗𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿 = 𝗔 𝗕𝗶𝗴 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝗼𝗻 𝗘𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 A safe ride is the goal each day in Okaloosa County as more than 16,000 students use the School Bus as transportation between neighborhood and classroom. This week we will be sharing tips to keep our students safe at the bus stop! 𝗪𝗮𝗹𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝘂𝘀 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗽 ‣Walk young children to the bus stop or encourage children to walk in groups. There is safety in numbers; groups are easier for drivers to see. ‣Practice good pedestrian behavior: walk on the sidewalk, and if there is no sidewalk, stay out of the street. If you must walk in the street, walk single file, face traffic, and stae as close to the edge of the road as you can. ‣Stop and look left, right, and the left again if you must cross the street. Do the same thing at driveways and alleys. Exaggerate your head turns and narrate your actions so your child knows you are looking left, right, and left. Check our website www.okaloosaschools.com for more information about National School Bus Safety Week including a National Poster Contest!

The Okaloosa County Middle School Conference celebrated its 2022 Cross Country Championship at Twin Oaks in Niceville on Monday, October 17th. Ruckel Middle School boys and girls won the team honors and were named The 2022 County Champions, while Destin Middle School boys and girls were the Runner-up teams. Congratulations to all the runners, and thank you to those who came out to support the athletes!

ℕ𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟𝕒𝕝 𝕊𝕔𝕙𝕠𝕠𝕝 𝔹𝕦𝕤 𝕊𝕒𝕗𝕖𝕥𝕪 𝕎𝕖𝕖𝕜 𝗢𝗻𝗲 𝗕𝘂𝘀 + 𝗢𝗻𝗲 𝗗𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿 = 𝗔 𝗕𝗶𝗴 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝗼𝗻 𝗘𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 A safe ride is the goal each day in Okaloosa County as more than 16,000 students use the School Bus as transportation between neighborhood and classroom. This week we will be sharing tips to keep our students safe at the bus stop! 𝗚𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹 ‣Have your children put everything they carry in a backpack or school bag so they won't drop things along the way. ‣Encourage them to wear bright, contrasting colors so they will be more easily seen by drivers. ‣Make sure children leave home on time so they can arrive at the bus stop before it is due, ideally at least five minutes early. Running after or in front of a bus is dangerous. Check our website www.okaloosaschools.com for more information about National School Bus Safety Week including a National Poster Contest!

𝗛𝗶𝘀𝗽𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗰 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵 Lin-Manuel Miranda is best known for his Broadway musical Hamilton and for composing the soundtrack to Disney's Encanto (and others). He is a Pulitzer Prize, Grammy, Emmy, Tony Award- winning composer, lyricist, and actor. He is the recipient of the 2015 MacArthur Foundation and 2018 Kennedy Center Honors. Mr. Miranda, and The Miranda Family, are active supporters of initiatives that increase the representation of people of color throughout the arts and government, and promote resilience in Puerto Rico.

One of the six pillars of the Next Generation of Okaloosa Schools is Community Engagement. The Crestview Prayer Network invited Superintendent Chambers to speak at their lunch yesterday, and he was honored to engage with them. He talked about each of the pillars: Academic Excellence, Continuous Learning, Student Focused, Safer Schools, Modern Innovation, and of course, Community Engagement. Each is an integral part of the education we provide the students in the Okaloosa County School District. He was also excited to talk about our most recent designation as one of 38 school systems worldwide to be named a Cognia System of Distinction (full article on our website). The mental health of our students and staff is at the forefront of Mr. Chambers’s initiatives. We did not have any Mental Health Counselors in our schools a decade ago. Thanks to our partnership with CDAC, we have 28 Mental Health Counselors, each high school having a counselor on campus full-time. Every school in the District will have an active HOPE Squad by the end of the school year. These students who are committed to the peer-to-peer suicide prevention group are trained to help their fellow students find help when they need it. And it is working! Another important topic was our Half Cent Sales tax and the projects that have already been completed, the nineteen currently in progress across fifteen schools, and those still to come. We are also very excited to have plans for NEW schools in our District soon! Did you know we have collected millions more than we expected to at this point of the project? Thank you, Okaloosa! We appreciate the Crestview Prayer Network members inviting Mr. Chambers out to speak and including our students and staff in their prayers.