We are thrilled to celebrate Ms. Tamra Salazar, a dedicated kindergarten teacher at Riverside Elementary School, for being named a 2024-2025 recipient of the HCA Florida Healthcare "Thank A Teacher" program! Ms. Salazar was nominated by a grateful parent who shared: "Her dedication and kindness have made such a difference in our child's life. Since starting kindergarten, we've seen a noticeable transformation—she's more confident, excited about learning, and looks forward to school every day. It's clear that Mrs. Salazar's support and the positive environment she creates in her classroom have played a huge role in her growth." In recognition of her impact, Ms. Salazar received a plaque and a $250 "Thank A Teacher" award from HCA Florida Healthcare. We are grateful for our partnership with HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital, which allows parents, students, and colleagues to celebrate our incredible educators. If you know a teacher who deserves recognition, nominate them: https://www2.okaloosaschools.com/page/thank-a-teacher.
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.
We are thrilled to celebrate Ms. Sarah Jeter, an outstanding middle school ELA teacher and Varsity Sideline/Competition Cheer Coach at Baker School, for being named a 2024-2025 recipient of the HCA Florida Healthcare "Thank A Teacher" program! Ms. Jeter was nominated by a grateful parent who shared: "I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to Ms. Jeter for being an exceptional ELA teacher. Not only does she inspire a love for learning, but she also serves as a trusted and supportive adult for my child and many other students. Thank you for everything you do!" In recognition of her dedication and the positive influence she has on her students, Ms. Jeter received a plaque and a $250 "Thank A Teacher" award from HCA Florida Healthcare.
The Okaloosa County School District proudly announces Ms. Katrina Brownsburger (Brominguez) as the 2025 Teacher of the Year! The announcement was made during last night's school board meeting, recognizing Ms. Brownsburger's exceptional dedication and educational contributions. Ms. Brownsburger, a tenth-grade English Language Arts teacher at Fort Walton Beach High School, has made a significant impact both in and out of the classroom. As the sponsor of the Speech and Debate team, she has guided her students to remarkable success, including victories at state and national competitions. Her unwavering commitment to her students' growth and success exemplifies the highest standards of teaching excellence. Read more: https://www.okaloosaschools.com/article/1994257.
This week, the Okaloosa County School District and the State of Florida are celebrating the joy of reading and the power of literacy! We are highlighting the importance of literacy in our schools and communities. From engaging classroom activities to exciting reading challenges, there's something for everyone to enjoy.
Thank you to all our dedicated teachers, librarians, and staff for fostering a love of reading in our students!
The Okaloosa Public Schools Foundation recently awarded 26 grants to teachers who applied this fall. A total of $52,529.08 was distributed across 19 different schools! Fourteen of these teachers are first time recipients of an Okaloosa Public Schools Teacher Grant. Congratulations to this year’s recipients!
On December 19, 2024, we celebrated the groundbreaking of Pineview School, which is set to open in August 2026! This historic event was made possible by the half-cent sales tax voted in by Okaloosa taxpayers. While the project itself is not funded by the sales tax, the funds freed up in our Capital budget made it a reality.
This is the first new school in Okaloosa since 2005, and it will significantly alleviate enrollment pressures at all elementary and middle schools in the Crestview area. Pineview School is being built on 40 acres of an 80-acre lot, strategically located on the new Highway 90 Bypass currently under construction.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Mr. JD Wingard for his willingness to sell this well-placed property to the school district. A big thank you to Jacobs/Titan and Lord & Son for their outstanding work and to our School Board Members and all the dignitaries from across the county who attended and supported this project.
The Okaloosa County School District thrives because of the incredible community support we receive. Thank you, Okaloosa, for making this possible!
Today, we celebrate National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day, a special day dedicated to showing our gratitude and support for the brave men and women who serve and protect our communities. We are especially appreciative of our School Resource Officers who work tirelessly to ensure the safety and well-being of our students and staff every day. Their presence provides a sense of security and peace of mind, allowing our schools to be a safe haven for learning and growth. To all law enforcement officers, thank you for your unwavering dedication, courage, and commitment to keeping our communities safe. Your hard work and sacrifice do not go unnoticed, and we are deeply grateful for all that you do.
We hope you all enjoyed a relaxing Winter Break! We can't wait to welcome our students back to campus on Wednesday, January 8th to start the second semester strong! Please be alert as School Zones will be active!
Today, Fort Walton Beach High School entered a brief lockdown after a report of a suspicious individual on campus. The individual was quickly detained, and the lockdown was lifted shortly thereafter. We commend our students and staff for their rapid and responsible response. Their actions exemplified the preparedness and seriousness required in such situations to ensure everyone's safety. It is important to note that no weapon was found, no shots were fired, and the individual was quickly apprehended and is now in custody. The incident is currently under investigation by the Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office. Read More: https://5il.co/33wk0
We are proud to be one of five Districts in the state to earn the prestigious Purple Star District designation reflecting our unwavering dedication to supporting military-connected students and their families. Read more: https://www.okaloosaschools.com/article/1930783
We are thrilled to announce our top three Teacher of the Year finalists! Last week, we had the pleasure of surprising them with the wonderful news that they have advanced to the final round of the Okaloosa County School District Teacher of the Year selection process. Congratulations to these outstanding educators!
The finalists are (in no particular order):
☆Katrina Brominguez, 10th Grade ELA Teacher at Fort Walton Beach High School
☆Brittney Stein, Pre-Algebra Teacher at Pryor Middle School
☆Shalytha Payne-Blevins, English Teacher at Crestview High School
We are incredibly proud of our Central School Bus Drivers and Assistants who participated in the Niceville Christmas Parade last weekend! They went above and beyond, decorating their buses and bringing festive cheer to the community. Their hard work and creativity paid off, as Transportation Central won 2nd place in the Club/Non-Profit Adult Division! A huge thank you to everyone who contributed to this amazing effort. Your dedication and holiday spirit truly shone through. Plans for next year are already in the works, and we can't wait to see what you come up with next!
Winter Break begins with early release on December 20, 2024, and continues through January 7th for students.
》December 20th - Early Dismissal
》January 6th- Teacher workday/student holiday
》January 7th- District-wide professional development day/student holiday
》January 8th- Students' first day of the 2nd semester!
Okaloosa County School District recently celebrated the ribbon cutting of the Ruckel MS cafetorium. Funded by the Half Cent Sales Tax, this multi-use building primarily serves as a cafeteria but also accommodates various activities. Read more: https://www.facebook.com/OkaloosaCountySchoolDistrict/.
Okaloosa County Students Shine in 2024 Art in the Capitol Competition. The 2024 Art in the Capitol Competition showcases the incredible talent of middle school students across the state. This voluntary, statewide visual arts competition invites students in grades 6–8 to submit their creative works for a chance to be displayed in Florida’s Capitol during the 2025 legislative session. https://www.okaloosaschools.com/article/1893112
Okaloosa County Schools will be closed for the Thanksgiving holidays November 25th - 29th. Have a safe and happy holiday!
🎄 𝗝𝗼𝗶𝗻 𝗨𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮 𝗦𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗛𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗦𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗼𝗻!🎄
Superintendent Marcus Chambers and Sheriff Eric Aden are excited to share that the Okaloosa County School District and the Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office have teamed up for the Angel Tree Program! This meaningful initiative aims to support students from families in need during the holiday season. School counselors and Resource Officers have identified students and created personalized lists, now it’s your turn to make a difference by donating funds or sponsoring a student to help fulfill their wishes. Together, we can create a memorable holiday experience for our students! To learn more and get involved, visit ocsostarcharity.com/angel-tree.
𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮, 𝐄𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐟𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐬!
Today, we celebrate the incredible dedication and hard work of our Education Support Professionals (ESPs) on National Education Support Professionals Day! The Okaloosa County School Board issued a proclamation on November 13, 2024, declaring that Wednesday, November 20, 2024, be recognized as National Education Support Professionals Day. This special day is dedicated to celebrating and appreciating our paraprofessionals, bus drivers and aides, custodians, lunchroom workers, secretaries, translators, and so many more who are integral to our school community. Our ESPs work tirelessly alongside other caring adults to help our students get what they need to succeed. Their commitment and dedication to the school system are truly inspiring. From maintaining a safe and clean environment to providing essential support in classrooms, our ESPs play a crucial role in the educational process. We commend our ESPs for their professionalism, skills, and unwavering efforts to ensure the success and prosperity of our educational system. Thank you for everything you do. Your hard work does not go unnoticed, and we are proud to have you as members of the OCSD family.
The Okaloosa County School District (OCSD) is looking for dedicated individuals to join our team! Our Educational Support Job Fair, free to attend, will be held at the OCSD Administrative Complex (next to Edge Elementary) on Monday, December 16, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. We’re hiring for a range of roles, including substitute teachers, bus drivers, paraprofessionals, maintenance staff, cafeteria workers, and custodians. If you’re passionate about making a difference in education, there’s a place for you in our district—whether in classroom support or specialized services! Please get in touch with Human Resources at (850) 833-5800 for more information. The OCSD Administrative Complex is located at 202A Hwy 85 North, Niceville, FL 32578.
