Update February 4, 2026 at 7:45 AM
Due to smoke conditions and road closures, the following updates are in effect today:
Schools CLOSED Today
-Interlachen Jr.–Sr. High School
-Robert H. Jenkins Jr. Elementary School
The following schools are OPEN for PARENT DROP-OFF if you can safely transport your child; all west-end morning bus routes are canceled (updates regarding afternoon bus routes will be provided later today):
-Q.I. Roberts Jr.–Sr. High School
-Melrose Elementary School
-Ochwilla Elementary School
We will continue to monitor conditions and share updates as information becomes available. Thank you for your patience and cooperation as we prioritize safety.
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Update February 4, 2026 at 6:40 AM:
Due to road closures happening on highway 315 south:
Robert H. Jenkins Jr. Elementary will be closed for today.
Ochwilla Elementary School and Melrose Elementary School will be parent drop off only.
Bus routes cannot run at this time on the west end of the county.
We will be making a determination within the next hour for Interlachen Jr.-Sr. High School and Q.I. Roberts Jr.-Sr. High School.
If you cannot safely get your child to school, absences will be excused.
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February 4, 2026 at 5:55 AM:
Florida Highway Patrol is closing Highway 20 at 315 to Lake Galilee (Johnson) due to zero visibility and smoke.
This will cause some bus routes to not be able to run or be delayed. Please do not leave your child at a bus stop.
All absences will be excused due to these conditions.
Putnam County School District is inviting families and community members to participate in our Family & Community Partnership Survey.
This short, confidential survey helps us understand what’s working well and how we can continue to improve trust, communication, and partnerships.
🔗 https://tripod.sjc1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bdq83Stok1UGsBw
📌 Students in grades 4–12 and all PCSD staff will receive their own surveys this week.
Thank you for helping us shape the future of PCSD!
📵🌱 Digital Wellness Week Tip!
Raising digitally smart kids starts with conversation. Preparing students for the digital world means talking openly about online safety, digital footprints, and responsible choices — especially as they grow.
As part of this important conversation, we invite families to revisit a past podcast featuring Superintendent Rick Surrency, where he discusses online safety and supporting students in today’s digital environment: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tHBRnEe367Y
Thank you for participating in Digital Wellness Week. Let’s continue building healthy, safe digital habits together. 💚 💙
#DigitalWellnessWeek #ProudtobePCSD
📵🌱 Digital Wellness Week Tip!
Screens are everywhere — so balance matters. Too much or low-quality screen time can impact sleep, behavior, and social development, especially for younger children. Think of screens as a tool — not a babysitter.💚💙
#DigitalWellnessWeek #ProudtobePCSD
📵🌱 Digital Wellness Week Tip!
Healthy screen limits help kids thrive. As children grow, screen rules should grow with them — focusing on balance, sleep, and family connection. Bonus reminder: kids notice adult screen habits, too. 👀💚💙
#DigitalWellnessWeek #ProudtobePCSD
Quality over quantity matters when it comes to screen time. Educational, age-appropriate content — especially when families watch and talk together — makes screen time more meaningful.
A few small adjustments can make a big impact. 💚💙
#DigitalWellnessWeek #ProudtobePCSD
Cold weather advisories and freeze warnings are in effect for our area, with very cold temperatures expected tonight through Wednesday morning and chilly conditions lingering throughout the week.
The National Weather Service has issued:
• A Cold Weather Advisory from 10 PM tonight through 10 AM Tuesday
• A Freeze Warning from 1 AM to 10 AM Tuesday
• A Freeze Watch from Tuesday evening through Wednesday morning
Wind chills could feel as low as 16 degrees, with overnight temperatures dropping into the mid-20s.
We encourage families to dress students warmly for school with coats, sweaters, hats, and gloves. The safety and well-being of our students and staff remains our top priority. Stay warm, PCSD! 💙💚
You’re invited to join Superintendent Dr. Rick Surrency for our Superintendent’s Community Engagement Session on Thursday, February 5, at 5:30PM at Robert H. Jenkins, Jr. Elementary School Cafeteria (251 South SR 315, Interlachen, FL).
We’ll be sharing important updates and opportunities, including:
New Schools
Grant Funding
21st Century Program
Testing
Can’t attend in person? Tune in LIVE via YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/live/DFktr231Nic
We look forward to connecting with our families, staff, and community partners!
#ProudtobePCSD
January 26–30, PCSD is encouraging students, families, and staff to pause, unplug, and reconnect. Small changes can make a big difference — let’s build healthier digital habits together. 💚 💙
#DigitalWellnessWeek #ProudtobePCSD
Every school day is a chance for your child to learn, grow, connect, and feel supported. When students are present, they don’t just gain knowledge—they build friendships, confidence, and a foundation for a bright future.
Together, we can give our children the best start by making attendance a priority. Each day at PCSD includes learning, activities, opportunities, and nutritious breakfast and lunch to help students thrive.
🔗 Learn more about PCSD’s Attendance Initiative: www.putnamschools.org/page/attendance
#ProudtobePCSD #AttendanceMatters
School resumes tomorrow, Tuesday, January 6, and we’re ready to jump back in and finish the school year strong. We can’t wait to see our students as we continue shaping the future—together.
#ProudtobePCSD
Andrew Walwik from Palatka Jr.–Sr. High School — A standout in our aerospace program, Andrew has already completed his solo flight and is on track to become one of our youngest pilots at just 16 years old!
William Cohen from Interlachen Jr.–Sr. High School — A dedicated JROTC student, William has shown exceptional commitment to service through his many hours of community support and leadership within the program.
These students were nominated by their schools and selected for their commitment to leadership, community service, and excellence. Congratulations to Andrew and William for representing PCSD with pride!
#ProudtobePCSD
Give your child the strongest start with PCSD’s FREE VPK program! 💙 Our classrooms are full of learning, laughter, and creativity — where certified, highly trained teachers help children explore STEM, art, early reading, and social skills every day.
✨ Why families choose PCSD VPK:
💙 FREE half-day program for every 4-year-old (includes breakfast!)
💚 Affordable full-day option — financial assistance available (includes breakfast & lunch and transportation!)
💙 Certified teachers with specialized early learning training
💚 Hands-on learning that builds confidence, curiosity, and social skills
💙 Students leave kindergarten-ready and more likely to stay on grade level!
If you know a child who’s 4 years old share this amazing opportunity! Learn more or register today at www.putnamschools.org/page/pre-k
Because strong starts happen here!
#ProudtobePCSD #ShapingTheFuture
Join PCSD for a LIVE parent event – Snapchat & Instagram Risks
Is your child begging for, or already using, Snapchat and Instagram? If so, join PCSD Superintendent Dr. Rick Surrency along with SmartSocial on Wednesday, November 5th at 7:00PM for a LIVE virtual event, designed to help parents learn why their kids want to Snapchat or Instagram and hidden risks you need to know about!:
These apps can be fun and creative, but big risks are hiding behind features like disappearing chats or “spam” and “finsta” accounts. What feels private to your teen can actually fuel comparison, anxiety, cyberbullying, and risky behavior.
Register here: https://www.smartsocial.com/event/snapchat-instagram-teen-risks?org=putnamcsd
#ProudtobePCSD
We’ll be sharing important updates and opportunities, including:
Building construction progress
Education Foundation initiatives
Attendance program efforts
21st Century Program
Can’t attend in person? Join us on Zoom:
🔹 Meeting ID: 705 941 2533
🔹 Passcode: 1234
We look forward to connecting with our families, staff, and community partners!
#ProudtobePCSD
Give your child the strongest start with PCSD’s FREE VPK program! 💙 Our classrooms are full of learning, laughter, and creativity — where certified, highly trained teachers help children explore STEM, art, early reading, and social skills every day.
✨ Why families choose PCSD VPK:
💙 FREE half-day program for every 4-year-old (includes breakfast!)
💚 Affordable full-day option — financial assistance available (includes breakfast & lunch and transportation!)
💙 Certified teachers with specialized early learning training
💚 Hands-on learning that builds confidence, curiosity, and social skills
💙 Students leave kindergarten-ready and more likely to stay on grade level!
If you know a child who’s 4 years old share this amazing opportunity! Learn more or register today at www.putnamschools.org/page/pre-k
Because strong starts happen here!
#ProudtobePCSD #ShapingTheFuture
Thank you to our families, students, and staff for making FTE Week a success. Because of your commitment to showing up, our schools are better positioned to receive the resources needed to support every student. 💙
Let’s keep this momentum going—attendance isn’t just important this week, it matters all year long! Every day counts toward student success.
#AttendanceMatters #ProudtobePCSD #EveryDayCounts
