Everything you need to know as a new school year begins in Okaloosa County.

Collin Bestor, Northwest Florida Daily News
·3 min read

It's that time of year again: fresh notebooks, sharpened pencils and trading snacks at school lunches. Okaloosa County students return to school on Aug. 10.

Here's what you need to know:

School District schedule

  • First day of school - Aug 10

  • Labor Day Holiday - Sept. 4

  • End of 1st Grading Period - Oct. 6

  • Teacher work day/Student holiday - Oct. 9

  • Veterans Day - Nov. 10

  • Thanksgiving Break - Nov. 20-24

  • End of First Semester - Dec. 21

  • Winter Break - Dec. 22 - Jan. 3, 2024

  • Teacher work day/Student Holiday - Jan. 4

  • Professional Development Day/ Student Holiday - Jan. 5

  • MLK Day - Jan. 15

  • President's Day - Feb. 19

  • End of 3rd Grading Period - March 14

  • Spring Break - March 15-22

  • Teacher Work Day/Student Holiday - March 25

  • Last day of School - May 24

School bus routes

All information regarding bus routes and stops can be found on the infolocater on the School District's website. You will find information about the route number, nearest bus stops, distance to stops, and stop times there. The School Board recommends viewing all the information on either a PC or tablet.

For parents who use the bus system for Crestview High or Davidson Middle, it may show "No Transportation Found." The district wants you to know that almost all buses north of Highway 90 share stops between both schools. If the infolocater says "AM xxxx DMS and CHS," that is the nearest stop for students attending either school.

Parents can also sign up for the Bus Bulletin, which will notify you of any delays or schedule changes involving their bus. Parents and guardians will only receive access by registering with data unique to their children.

For further help or questions:

  • Crestview Area - (850) 689-7301

  • Niceville Area - (850) 833-4161

  • Fort Walton Beach area - (850) 833-3555

Free and reduced-price lunch

Since 2010, Okaloosa County has been using an online software program to accept free and reduced meal applications. The new program expedites the application process and can be done from any computer with internet access.

Applications can be filled out, processed and approved, and the lunchroom can be notified of new student eligibilities as fast as 30 minutes. Computers are available at all school sites, or the Nutrition Center Office in Niceville for parents without computer access.

Paper applications can still be obtained from the school sites or the district office if parents would not like to use the computer program. The online application process can be accessed by going to http://www.myschoolapps.com.

Below is a list of prices for breakfast and lunch:

  • Student breakfast - $1.80

  • Reduced breakfast -30 cents

  • Student lunch - $2.70

  • Reduced lunch - 40 cents

The school breakfast and lunch menu can be found at okaloosachools.nutrislice.com/menu.

New staff

Longwood Elementary will see Lisa Tucker as the new school principal for the new school year. Tucker was previously the assistant principal of Destin Middle School. Tucker has also served as the OCSD district specialist for English Speakers of Other Languages, Fine Arts and World Language programs.

Other changes:

  • Susan Geering has become the new principal of Antioch Elementary School.

  • Jennifer Stewart has become the new assistant principal of Antioch Elementary School.

  • Laurie Feldman has become the new assistant principal of Wright Elementary School.

  • Phyllis Gwendolyn Morris has become the new principal of Elgin Elementary School.

  • Daren Everage has become the new assistant principal of Eglin Elementary School.

  • Mandy Lopez has become the new principal of Walker Elementary School.

  • Brittany Young has become the new assistant principal of Walker Elementary School.

  • Joan Pickard has become the new assistant principal of Longwood Elementary School.

  • John Carlisle has become the new athletic director at Baker School.

  • Laurren-Ashley Seegars has become the new principal of Bob Sikes Elementary School.

  • Michael Denton has become the new principal of Pryor Middle School.

  • Lisa Jones has become the new assistant principal of Mary Esther Elementary School.

  • Victoria Hayden has become the new principal of Crestview High School

This article originally appeared on Northwest Florida Daily News: Back to School: Day 1 guide for Okaloosa County