After extensive district-wide professional development provided by Ms. Beatrice Palls of B & B Educational Consultants, Inc., and collaboration with district and school personnel, we are excited to announce the launch of Walton County School District’s first Newcomer Program for our non-English speaking students.  Van R. Butler has become the flagship elementary school for Walton County’s bold initiative to develop and implement an academic and social program to support our recently arrived immigrants and their families. 

Recently enrolled students who are non-English or limited-English speaking in grades two through five will receive intensive English Language Development and English Fundamentals of Reading instruction in a classroom that has appropriate and culturally- sensitive curriculum aligned to Florida Standards.  In addition, the students will participate in cultural awareness activities that are designed to assist them in acclimating to their new country.  We are looking forward to the success of these students and this program.

Congratulations to Fisher Marks on his score of a 1500 on the PSAT/NMSQT. Fisher is a junior at South Walton High School. Not only did Fisher scored a 1500 on the PSAT/NMSQT, he also had a perfect score on the math portion of the test. We are so proud of Fisher!