Join us for Donuts with Grown Ups
October 16 for last names that begin with A-L
October 17 for last names that begin with M-Z
Donuts will be served from 8:00 - 8:30 AM. Students will go to class at 8:30 AM, the tardy bell.
You will need to sign in at the front gate. Please leave bags and purses in the car.
October 16 for last names that begin with A-L
October 17 for last names that begin with M-Z
Donuts will be served from 8:00 - 8:30 AM. Students will go to class at 8:30 AM, the tardy bell.
You will need to sign in at the front gate. Please leave bags and purses in the car.
Attention ALL Thunderbirds …
Save the date and pick your favorite 50’s outfit! Wear your favorite 50's outfit to help us celebrate tje 50th Day of School on Tuesday, October 21st.
Save the date and pick your favorite 50’s outfit! Wear your favorite 50's outfit to help us celebrate tje 50th Day of School on Tuesday, October 21st.
Just a reminder that today is the last day of the first 9 week grading period. Monday is a Teacher Workday/ Student Holiday. We look forward to seeing our students back on campus Tuesday, October 14 to start the second half of the first semester!
Recently the 1st Special Ops Civil Engineer Squadron Emergency Management team from Hurlburt Field visited our school. Our students were taught about different natural disasters and how to prepare for them. At the end of the presentation, all students were sworn in to become Jr. Emergency Managers. A special thank you to our School Board member, Parker Destin, for joining us.
September is National Attendance
Awareness Month!
The month emphasizes building good attendance habits early which promotes learning, strong social connections, and a sense
of responsibility in students.
2023-2024 School Year: 67 of our students missed 10% or more days
2024-2025 School Year: 35 of our students missed 10% or more days
Kudos to our students and parents on this huge improvement. Now let’s see what we can do this year---
September Challenge:
Each day a class has 100% attendance, the teacher will add one letter to the board. If they spell out ATTENDANCE before September ends, the class will earn a popsicle party.
Awareness Month!
The month emphasizes building good attendance habits early which promotes learning, strong social connections, and a sense
of responsibility in students.
2023-2024 School Year: 67 of our students missed 10% or more days
2024-2025 School Year: 35 of our students missed 10% or more days
Kudos to our students and parents on this huge improvement. Now let’s see what we can do this year---
September Challenge:
Each day a class has 100% attendance, the teacher will add one letter to the board. If they spell out ATTENDANCE before September ends, the class will earn a popsicle party.
OCSD Schools and offices will be closed Monday, September 1, 2025 in observance of Labor Day. Classes and regular office hours will resume Tuesday, September 2nd 2025.
FOCUS Student Information System provides students and parents access to grades, attendance, discipline, teacher/school communication, and more in real-time.
https://www.okaloosaschools.com/page/focus
https://www.okaloosaschools.com/page/focus
Information for our Car Rider Families…
For students safety and to help us meet District guidelines for student entry to the school, please DO NOT drop off any students in the front parking lot. All students arriving by vehicle between 8:00 AM and 8:30 AM are asked to use the car rider ramp. Vehicles will be unloaded by staff members as quickly as possible. If your child is arriving to school late (after 8:30AM), please park in the front parking lot and bring your child into the front office. Follow the check-in process.
Please remember to:
-Fill both lanes in the morning and afternoon to help get traffic off of hwy 98. When the two lanes become one please zipper.
-Wait for the vehicles to move forward, do not pass vehicles on the left side in our loading and unloading zone.
-You may turn left out of line once you have unloaded or picked up. PLEASE do not pass vehicles in the process.
-To make the unloading process more efficient please have students packed up, with shoes on and ready to unload. Have them exit from the passenger side.
For students safety and to help us meet District guidelines for student entry to the school, please DO NOT drop off any students in the front parking lot. All students arriving by vehicle between 8:00 AM and 8:30 AM are asked to use the car rider ramp. Vehicles will be unloaded by staff members as quickly as possible. If your child is arriving to school late (after 8:30AM), please park in the front parking lot and bring your child into the front office. Follow the check-in process.
Please remember to:
-Fill both lanes in the morning and afternoon to help get traffic off of hwy 98. When the two lanes become one please zipper.
-Wait for the vehicles to move forward, do not pass vehicles on the left side in our loading and unloading zone.
-You may turn left out of line once you have unloaded or picked up. PLEASE do not pass vehicles in the process.
-To make the unloading process more efficient please have students packed up, with shoes on and ready to unload. Have them exit from the passenger side.
Internet speeds have been restored. Thank you, Cox, for your quick response! Have a great day, OCSD Family!
We are currently experiencing slow internet speeds district-wide. This may affect phones. We are working with our service provider to get the problem fixed as quickly as possible. Thank you for your patience and understanding!
All students and staff are encouraged to wear the color of the day (August 18th - August 29th) to help support our Kindergartners as they learn their colors.
8/18 - Orange
8/19 - Red
8/20 - Yellow
8/21 - Green
8/22 - Pink
8/25 - Purple
8/26 - Blue
8/27 - White
8/28 - Black
8/29 - Brown
Picture Day is 8/27/25
8/18 - Orange
8/19 - Red
8/20 - Yellow
8/21 - Green
8/22 - Pink
8/25 - Purple
8/26 - Blue
8/27 - White
8/28 - Black
8/29 - Brown
Picture Day is 8/27/25
Welcome Back, Thunderbirds!
The first official day back for teachers kicked off in true Mary Esther style! Faculty and staff were welcomed with a yummy Back-to-School Breakfast, fun games with exciting prizes, and the unveiling of our 2025-2026 Thunderbirds Vision.
❤️ Stronger Together
💙 We are Thunderbirds
Here’s to a year of collaboration, growth, and making a difference — together.
The first official day back for teachers kicked off in true Mary Esther style! Faculty and staff were welcomed with a yummy Back-to-School Breakfast, fun games with exciting prizes, and the unveiling of our 2025-2026 Thunderbirds Vision.
❤️ Stronger Together
💙 We are Thunderbirds
Here’s to a year of collaboration, growth, and making a difference — together.
New legislation in Florida restricts student use of cellular phones during the school day, aiming to minimize distractions and to support a focused learning environment.
Educational Benefits
Research shows that limiting cell phone use in schools can:
- Improve student focus and attention during instruction
- Boost academic performance and engagement
- Reduce cyberbullying incidents during school hours
- Enhance face-to-face social interactions
Per Florida House Bill 1105 (2025)
Elementary and Middle School Students - the use of a cellular phone is prohibited in elementary and middle school during the school day.
Daily Expectations
- Before/After School: Students will only be able to use their cell phone before the first bell or after the last bell of the day
- During School: Phones must remain put away and out of sight.
- Phone Confiscation: Students in violation of the policy may have their phone temporarily confiscated and disciplinary action may be taken for repeat offenders.
Student or Family Emergencies
- Student Needs to Contact Family: must go to main office
- Family Needs to Contact Student: Call the student's main office
Medical Condition: Students with medical conditions may have phone access with proper documentation
School Emergencies: The school will communicate directly with families
Educational Benefits
Research shows that limiting cell phone use in schools can:
- Improve student focus and attention during instruction
- Boost academic performance and engagement
- Reduce cyberbullying incidents during school hours
- Enhance face-to-face social interactions
Per Florida House Bill 1105 (2025)
Elementary and Middle School Students - the use of a cellular phone is prohibited in elementary and middle school during the school day.
Daily Expectations
- Before/After School: Students will only be able to use their cell phone before the first bell or after the last bell of the day
- During School: Phones must remain put away and out of sight.
- Phone Confiscation: Students in violation of the policy may have their phone temporarily confiscated and disciplinary action may be taken for repeat offenders.
Student or Family Emergencies
- Student Needs to Contact Family: must go to main office
- Family Needs to Contact Student: Call the student's main office
Medical Condition: Students with medical conditions may have phone access with proper documentation
School Emergencies: The school will communicate directly with families
OCSD has partnered with the Florida Department of Health to provide free immunizations to students on the following dates, times, and locations. If you have any questions, please contact your school or local health department for details.
Clinic Dates and Locations:
- August 6 - 9:00AM - 11:00AM - OCSD Central Office, Niceville
- August 8 - 9:00AM - 11:30AM - Shoal River Middle School
- August 8 - 1:00PM - 2:30PM - Bruner Middle School
Vaccines Offered
- Tdap (Required for entry into 7th grade)
- HPV (Human Pappillomavirus)
- Meningitis
Important Information
- Parent/Guardian must be onsite with insurance card (if applicable)
- No record transcription or religious exemptions will be available at the clinic
- After vaccination, students will receive a form with the vaccination date to give to school administration
- School staff will retrieve the official 680 form once it's received - no printing will be done onsite.
Clinic Dates and Locations:
- August 6 - 9:00AM - 11:00AM - OCSD Central Office, Niceville
- August 8 - 9:00AM - 11:30AM - Shoal River Middle School
- August 8 - 1:00PM - 2:30PM - Bruner Middle School
Vaccines Offered
- Tdap (Required for entry into 7th grade)
- HPV (Human Pappillomavirus)
- Meningitis
Important Information
- Parent/Guardian must be onsite with insurance card (if applicable)
- No record transcription or religious exemptions will be available at the clinic
- After vaccination, students will receive a form with the vaccination date to give to school administration
- School staff will retrieve the official 680 form once it's received - no printing will be done onsite.
Back to School Savings Alert!
Did you know Florida’s Back to School Sales Tax Holiday is now permanent and runs the entire month of August? From August 1–31, families can save on essential school items tax-free — including clothing, school supplies, learning aids, and even personal computers!
Plan your shopping and check out the official list of tax-free items here: https://floridarevenue.com/.../Documents/TIP_25A01-08.pdf
Please note: School supply lists are provided individually by each school. Many of our secondary teachers will share their specific supply requests during orientation or on the first day of school. Reach out to your school if you have any questions!
We can't wait to see everyone back in our buildings on August 11th!
Did you know Florida’s Back to School Sales Tax Holiday is now permanent and runs the entire month of August? From August 1–31, families can save on essential school items tax-free — including clothing, school supplies, learning aids, and even personal computers!
Plan your shopping and check out the official list of tax-free items here: https://floridarevenue.com/.../Documents/TIP_25A01-08.pdf
Please note: School supply lists are provided individually by each school. Many of our secondary teachers will share their specific supply requests during orientation or on the first day of school. Reach out to your school if you have any questions!
We can't wait to see everyone back in our buildings on August 11th!
☀️📚 𝗦𝘂𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗿 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗤𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝗢𝗡! 📚☀️
Looking to make your child’s summer reading more exciting? Help them grab a book and check off these sunny spots—because every page is better under the sun! Don't forget the sunscreen!
✅ In the sun
✅ While eating ice cream
✅ At the beach
✅ In a car
✅ By a pool
✅ With a friend
✅ In a park
Whether you're lounging poolside or chilling under a tree, every page counts!
Share your kids' summer reading adventures by tagging us—let's turn this season into a story worth telling!
Looking to make your child’s summer reading more exciting? Help them grab a book and check off these sunny spots—because every page is better under the sun! Don't forget the sunscreen!
✅ In the sun
✅ While eating ice cream
✅ At the beach
✅ In a car
✅ By a pool
✅ With a friend
✅ In a park
Whether you're lounging poolside or chilling under a tree, every page counts!
Share your kids' summer reading adventures by tagging us—let's turn this season into a story worth telling!
The final bell of the school year is almost here! Tomorrow, Thursday, May 29, marks the last day of school for students in the Okaloosa County School District. All OCSD schools will follow an early dismissal schedule, and lunch will still be served before students head off to start their summer break! Let’s finish strong and celebrate a year of hard work, growth, and achievement. We’re proud of each and every student, and we wish you a safe, fun, and restful summer!
The Okaloosa County School District has been made aware of scam phone calls targeting parents. In these calls, individuals falsely claim that a student has an outstanding lunch balance and instructs the parent to "press 1" to make a payment immediately.
Please be advised:
• The Okaloosa County School District does not contact families by phone to request payment in this manner.
• Any legitimate communication regarding student meal accounts would come through official district channels.
• In the recently reported case, the scammer provided incorrect student information and used what appeared to be a local phone number, which may have been spoofed.
If you receive a suspicious call, do not provide personal or payment information. Instead, hang up and contact your child's school or the district's Food Services Department directly for verification. Thank you for helping us keep our families informed and protected.
𝗦𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗕𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗸 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱
Next Thursday, March 13, is the last day of the 3rd 9-week grading period. Spring Break begins on Friday, March 14, and continues through Friday, March 21. Monday, March 24, is a Teacher Workday. Students return for the 4th and final 9-week grading period of the 2024-2025 school year on Tuesday, March 25. We hope everyone has a safe and restful week off!
𝗛𝗮𝗽𝗽𝘆 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗿𝘀 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸!
This week, we celebrate and honor our incredible school counselors who play a vital role in supporting our students' academic, social, and emotional well-being. From guiding students through their educational journeys to providing a listening ear and valuable advice, our counselors are always there to help. Thank you to all our dedicated school counselors for your unwavering commitment and the positive impact you make every day. Your hard work and compassion truly make a difference in the lives of our students.
