Good afternoon,

On behalf of Superintendent Dr. Karen Barber, we hope that everyone is safe and recovering following Hurricane Isaias. We want to express our sincere thanks to all the organizations who are helping our schools and our community recover following the storm. Our thoughts and concerns continue to be with our district family and community during this time.

At the direction of Governor DeSantis and the Florida Department of Education, all school districts in the Florida Panhandle, including Santa Rosa County District Schools, are directed to reopen schools on Wednesday, October 14th. Teams from Emergency Management, FPL, EREC, the National Guard, and our district staff are working to make final preparations for this reopening, including the clearing of roads and reconnecting electricity to schools still without power. If there are schools that will not be able to reopen, that

CAMPUSES
Multiple recovery partners are actively engaged in restoration efforts. Damage Recovery Group is coordinating restoration activities through the Florida School Boards Insurance Trust. Southern Catastrophe and Edwards Roofing are addressing roofing repairs and temporary dry-in measures. Bergeron Emergency Disaster Services is coordinating debris removal, while Thompson Consulting is monitoring debris operations. A determination will be made Tuesday afternoon for any school that is not safe and ready for students, and families and employees of that school will be notified. Our schools will not be in perfect condition, but they will be safe for the return of our students.

TRANSPORTATION
Buses will run on Wednesday, but alternative routes will be developed, due to the likelihood of post-hurricane debris and debris removal crews working along roadsides. The Florida Department of Transportation and Santa Rosa Emergency Management are coordinating the removal of debris. Parents and guardians, please walk and supervise your children to and from the alternate bus stop to your home to ensure your children are safe. Please check My Ride K-12 app for alternative route information. Updated route information should be available by Tuesday evening, October 13.

MEALS
On Wednesday, alternative meals may be provided, due to delayed food supplier deliveries. Meals Ready to Eat (MREs) may serve as this alternative meal. Students may certainly bring meals from home, if parents and guardians prefer.

SCHOOL ACTIVITIES

Any athletic practices and contests scheduled for Wednesday or later may still take place at the discretion of the schools, teams, and coaches, and as facilities and conditions allow.

Lastly, we realize there may be some students and staff who are not able to return to school and work. Please communicate directly with your school and leadership regarding your circumstances.
Our thoughts continue to be with all of our school district family. If families are in need of resources during this time, please contact the United Way at 211 for resources and support.

Please stay tuned to district communication channels – including our Facebook, Instagram, and the SRCDS app through Rooms – throughout the week for any additional information.
Additional helpful information from Santa Rosa County can also be found at the link below.

https://santarosa.fl.gov/m/newsflash/home/detail/2209

🏆💛 Time to celebrate!

Avalon Middle School has been recognized for their work implementing a school-wide Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) framework. PBIS is an evidence-based, three-tiered prevention framework that national research shows leads to reduced exclusionary discipline and improved student and teacher outcomes.

Through this framework, they developed the skills of their students and staff, used data to identify needed supports, acknowledged appropriate behavior, and made system changes where needed to enhance school climate. As a result of this work, they are being recognized by the FLPBIS Project for achieving Gold PBIS Model School status.
This award demonstrates their commitment to positive outcomes for all students!

For more information on their efforts, visit https://ams.santarosaschools.org/o/ams. To learn more about @FLPBIS Project Model Schools, visit https://flpbis.cbcs.usf.edu/.

#AvalonMiddleSchoolMiltonFL #GoldPBISModelSchool #FLPBIS #PBIS #PBISGold #SRC_PBISPROUD #SRCDS #PositiveBehaviorSupport #PositiveSchoolCulture #StudentSuccess #SchoolExcellence #CelebratingSuccess #EveryStudentEveryDay

.🎉TIME TO CELEBRATE! 🏅

West Navarre Primary School has been recognized for their work implementing a school-wide Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) framework. PBIS is an evidence-based, three-tiered prevention framework that national research shows leads to reduced exclusionary discipline and improved student and teacher outcomes.

Through this framework, they developed the skills of their students and staff, used data to identify needed supports, acknowledged appropriate behavior, and made system changes where needed to enhance school climate. As a result of this work, they are being recognized by the FLPBIS Project for achieving Gold PBIS Model School status. This award demonstrates their commitment to positive outcomes for all students!

For more information on their efforts, visit https://wnp.santarosaschools.org/o/wnp. To learn more about @FLPBIS Project Model Schools, visit https://flpbis.cbcs.usf.edu/.

#WestNavarrePrimarySchool #GoldPBISModelSchool #FLPBIS #PBIS #PBISGold #SRC_PBISPROUD #SRCDS #PositiveBehaviorSupport #StudentSuccess #SchoolExcellence #CelebratingSuccess #EveryStudentEveryDay

Good afternoon,

On behalf of Dr. Barber, we hope that you and your families are safe following the storm and as clean up and recovery are ongoing.

District staff have been assessing damage to sites and campuses and the impact of Hurricane Isaias. Based on the information we have, campuses will not be ready for the return of students and staff on Tuesday, October 13th, and schools and district offices will continue to be closed. This includes all district- and school-sponsored activities, practices, and athletic contests, with the exception of the School Board meeting on Tuesday. Crews will need additional time to complete the cleanup and recovery efforts at our schools and roads need to be clear and safe for school buses to run.

Our campuses remain closed and there should be no staff or visitors on campus. Also, all district and school sponsored activities, practices, and athletic contest are canceled, except for the regularly scheduled school board meeting on Tuesday, which will still take place.

At this time, we are waiting on information from Emergency Management, Florida Power and Light, and Escambia River Electric Co-op related to the clearing of roads and restoration of utilities, including power and water, to our schools, and from our maintenance department that our schools are clean, safe, and ready for students. Our goal is to open as soon as Wednesday, October 14th, but that determination will be made on a school-by-school basis by Tuesday evening.

If we are not ready for a complete county opening, families will be notified on a school by school basis.

As always, the health, safety and well-being of our students and staff is our highest priority. If families are in need of resources during this time, please contact the United Way at 211 to for resources and support.

Please stay tuned to district communication channels throughout the week for any additional information.

FROM THE OFFICE OF THE SUPERINTENDENT

My thoughts and concerns are with all our district family during this time. We hope that all of you are safe and healthy following the storm. Due to the impact of the storm, it has been decided that schools and offices will be closed on the previously scheduled Planning Day, Monday, October 12th. We hope this time allows for our staff to tend to families and your homes. This will also allow the district to survey damages and make any necessary plans and adjustments.

Plans for Tuesday, October 13th, and beyond will depend on information received about our schools and from our service providers and will be communicated later.

Again, our thoughts are with our school district family, and we hope that all of you are well. Dr. Karen Barber

Update regarding Tropical Storm Isaias

 In consultation and coordination with Santa Rosa County Emergency Management and the National Weather Service in Mobile, Santa Rosa County District Schools is sharing the following important information regarding Tropical Storm Isaias.  Schools will remain open, Thursday, October 8th.  However, all after-school and extracurricular activities scheduled for Thursday, October 8th, are canceled. Latchkey will remain open Thursday, 10/8, through 6:00 p.m.

 Out of an abundance of caution and with the safety of our students, employees, and families as our highest priority, all district schools and offices will be closed Friday, October 9th. This includes athletic events, practices, clubs, meetings, and other school-sponsored activities.

 All district and school-sponsored activities scheduled for Saturday, October 10th, are also canceled.

 We understand that changes to school schedules can create challenges for our families, and we appreciate your patience, flexibility, and understanding as we prioritize the safety of our school community.

 The district will continue to monitor conditions and will communicate any additional updates through our official communication channels. Families and employees are encouraged to monitor district messages for the latest information.

📢 Upcoming School Board Meeting

The Santa Rosa County School Board will hold its regular meeting on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, at 9:00 a.m.. at the School Board on Canal Street..

Community members are welcome to attend and stay informed about district initiatives and decisions. See you there! #SRCDS

🍂The October 2026 edition of Leaps & Bounds is now available! 📰

In this edition, you'll find updates from across our district, including student and staff achievements, school and program highlights, upcoming events, and family engagement opportunities.

Visit our district website, app, or social media platforms to read the latest edition, or access it using the link below.

https://canva.link/october-leaps-bounds

Thank you for all you do to support Santa Rosa County District Schools. 💚💙 Together, we are making a positive difference for our students, schools, and community.