News

Controlled Open Enrollment for 2022-23

March 28, 2022

Controlled Open Enrollment for the 2022-2023 school year will open on Monday, March 14th and remain open until Friday, May 6th.  All students who wish to apply to attend a school outside of the school zone they live in must complete an application for the school of their choice.  All applications will be reviewed by the school and district administrative staff.  Students will be notified by mail of approval or denial by the second week of June 2022.  All  schools must maintain ten percent of their possible enrollment for new students who enter their school during the school year. 

Controlled Open Enrollment Procedures:

 ¨ Log in to www.hdsb.org to access the Controlled Open Enrollment Application.

¨ Click Controlled Open Enrollment, located in the column on the left side of the home screen.

¨ Click on the green “Click here to access the application form” located at the bottom of the explanation box.

¨ Complete one application for each child in grades K-12 that you are requesting to have attend a school outside of your zoned area (a zoning map is available on the Controlled Open Enrollment screen, by scrolling down under the application section.

¨ Make sure to carefully read all Controlled Open Enrollment requirements when completing the online application:

       - Maintain Good Grades

      - Maintain Good Attendance

      - Maintain Good Behavior

      - Be prepared to provide transportation to and from school or to the closest bus stop for your child if no bus route for the requested school goes by your home or if the closest bus is at capacity.

Please be aware that all approved Controlled Open Enrollment applications can be revoked at any time during the school year if one or more of the requirements are not maintained.

¨ All students who reside outside of the state of Florida must request a waiver from the district office of the school system they reside in.  All waivers must be submitted to Mr. Matt Tate, 701 East Pennsylvania Avenue, Bonifay, Florida 32425 or [email protected] for school board approval no later than July 27, 2022.  Any out of state student who does not have a waiver approved by the school board will have their Controlled Open Enrollment approval revoked.

 

PDLHS and PDLE School Schedules for February 24-26, 2022

February 18, 2022

TO: For Public Information
FROM: Superintendent Buddy L. Brown
DATE: February 28, 2022
SUBJECT: PDLHS and PDLE School Schedules for February 24-26, 2022

The Ponce de Leon High School Girls Basketball Team will be competing in the FHSAA Final Four Basketball Championships on the dates of February 23-25, 2022.  The girls have a semi-final game scheduled on Wednesday, February 23, at 8:00 PM EST, and with a win they will play in the finals on Friday, February 25 at 7:00 PM EST.

           

Due to the number of students and school staff that have indicated their intent to travel on Wednesday and possibly Friday from both of the above referenced schools, it has been determined the ability to keep our brick and mortar schools open during all or part of this time will be impractical.  The following are options that we will follow depending on the outcome of the tournament games PDLHS Lady Pirates will be participating in:

 

PDLE and PDLHS will have an early release day on Wednesday, February 23, 2022 at 12:30 PM CST.  There will be no school on Thursday, February 24, 2022 at either school. 

 

OPTION 1:  PDLHS Lady Pirates win their semi-final game:

 

PDLE AND PDLHS will be closed on Friday, February 25, 2022.

 

OPTION 2:  PDLHS Lady Pirates do not win their semi-final game:

 

PDLE and PDLHS will conduct school on Friday, February 25, 2022.

 

These options have been developed based on the survey of staff, support staff, and student body membership, and local community support as to their intent for attending the FHSAA Final Four.  

Tax Credit Information for Qualifying Homeless & Foster Youth

February 11, 2022

This tax season, there are special rules for homeless and foster youth that were achieved through the American Rescue Plan Act. Qualifying youth experiencing homelessness and youth from foster care are eligible for a $1,502 tax refund through the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). At the present time, these provisions are only for tax year 2021.  More information is available by clicking the Related Files link below.

2022-23 School Calendar

February 10, 2022

The School Board has approved the calendar for the 2022-23 school year.  Click the Related Files links below for printable versions of the calendar.

Free Eye Exams and Glasses for Students

February 8, 2022

Florida Heiken Children's Vision Program will be in our schools later this month offering no cost eye exams and glasses for our students.  We must have a minimum number of students at each school to pre-apply in order for them to visit that school site.  The deadline to sign up is Monday, February 14.  For more information, contact the health clinic at your child's school.  

To sign up, visit www.floridaheiken.org.  

Wellness Day for January 14, 2022--Schools Closed

January 13, 2022

Wellness Day for January 14, 2022, Due to COVID-Related Illnesses

With the safety and welfare of our students and staff in mind, the decision has been made to cancel school for Friday, January 14, 2022.  The primary reason is that Holmes County and the Holmes District Schools are seeing a spike in COVID and other seasonal illnesses.  The increased number of staff members being ill has directly impacted our ability to run district schools with a reasonable number of adults to supervise the students in attendance. 

Extracurricular activities may continue as planned, at the discretion of each school.  Please check with your individual school to verify any changes in these situations.

Our thought is that by providing a Wellness Day in addition to the federal holiday on Monday, students and staff who are ill will have a time for recovery, and for everyone, a time to avoid possible exposure to illness.  Schools will be back in session on Tuesday, January 18, 2022.

Buddy L. Brown,
Superintendent of Schools

Superintendent's Christmas Message

December 17, 2021

I want to wish each of you a very Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and Happy New Year!  I hope each of you will enjoy the time with your friends and families and remember to give and share with those that might be in need.

 

Thank you to every member of our staff who works diligently to provide an education to our students.  Bless our children as they work and sometimes struggle through a star-crossed period in our history.  Thank you to those that support our children, teachers, and staff.  Our success as a school district ultimately hinges on this support from all the partners in the process of educating our children.

 

Please remember those in uniform whether they be military, police, emergency responders, or medical professionals. These men and women work through the holidays, often removed from their families, prepared to render assistance or to provide that ultimate sacrifice.

 

Let us not forget that the spirit of the season is one of love, generosity, and of goodness.  Be kind to your fellow man and remember, “You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view…until you climb into his skin and walk around in it.” (Harper Lee)

 

God Bless each of you and a Merry Christmas to all and a Happy New Year!

 

Buddy L. Brown
Superintendent of Schools

Christmas Break

December 14, 2021

Early Release:

Friday, January 17

Christmas Break for Students:

December 20-January 4

Classes resume January 5.

12 month employees return to work on January 3.

Teachers and 10 month non-instructional employees return to work on January 4.

Superintendent's Thanksgiving Message

November 19, 2021

TO:                      HDSB

FROM:                Superintendent Buddy L. Brown

DATE:                 November 19, 2021

SUBJECT:         SUPERINTENDENT’S THANKSGIVING MESSAGE 

During this month of Thanksgiving I have been reflecting on the things I am grateful for. One of the first things that came to mind is the talented group of people I represent and work with daily, from the District School Board to our staff at each of our schools.  Thank you for the work you do to make our District great. Without your commitment, creativity, and high standards, we would not be the District we are, nor the District we strive to be.

I am a man of faith, and with that faith I believe in the principles of faith that surround the Thanksgiving holiday.  I pray and hope for safety in your travels over the next week.  I pray you will maximize and take advantage of the time to spend with loved ones and friends.  I pray for the safety and well-being of our men and women in uniform, both military and civilian that stand watch over us, prepared to give all for our freedoms and our way of life.  I pray for a time of calmness and peace in our community, our nation, and our world.  I wish you a Thanksgiving filled with abundance, happiness, and bright moments.

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