At Palatka Jr.–Sr. High School school administrators were made aware of a video posted on social media in which a student made threats to harm other students. The matter was immediately reported to the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, who began an investigation.
That investigation concluded with the student being arrested. There was no immediate threat identified on campus. Appropriate disciplinary action is being taken in accordance with district policy. The safety of our students and staff remains our top priority.
We want to thank our school administrators and law enforcement partners for their swift response. This situation reinforces the importance of “See Something, Say Something.” PCSD has zero tolerance for threats or violence on campus. We encourage families and students to report concerns to a trusted adult or through the FortifyFL app, a free and anonymous reporting tool for unsafe situations. More information is available at www.getfortifyfl.com
Working together, we can keep our schools safe.
🚨EVENT CANCELLED🚨
Please be advised the 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) has been cancelled.
Special School Board Meeting – 02/06/2026 at 10:00AM
Join us in person or tune in LIVE via YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/live/LcAuUFUaUMo
Find meeting agendas and upcoming dates here: https://www.putnamschools.org/page/school-board
#ProudtobePCSD
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.
- - - -
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.
- - - -
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.
Families can now begin planning ahead for the upcoming school year, including important dates like the first and last days of school, holidays, and early release days.
📌 View & download the calendar here:
https://www.putnamschools.org/documents/students-%26-families/academic-calendar/469403
We’re proud to support our families by providing clarity and consistency as you plan for another great school year. 💚💙
#ProudtobePCSD
This photo captures our School Board during a tour of Palatka Intermediate School, scheduled to open in August 2026. We are grateful for their ongoing commitment to thoughtful planning, student-centered growth, and the future of PCSD.
Thank you for all you do.
#ProudtobePCSD
School Board Meeting – 02/03/2026 at 3:30PM
Join us in person or tune in LIVE via YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/live/kq7u_cpcOiU
Find meeting agendas and upcoming dates here: https://www.putnamschools.org/page/school-board
#ProudtobePCSD
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!
Cold weather advisories and freeze warnings are in effect for our area, with very cold temperatures expected tonight through Monday morning and chilly conditions lingering throughout the week.
The National Weather Service has issued:
❄️ Freeze Warning — February 1, 7:00 PM through February 2, 10:00 AM
❄️ Cold Weather Advisory — February 1, 7:00 PM through February 2, 10:00 AM
Tomorrow also kicks off FTE Week (February 2–6). 💚💙 Every student matters, and every day counts. Please make every effort to have your child safe, warm, and in school each day this week. Together, we can take care of our students and give them the best.
#ProudtobePCSD
📵🌱 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
🎙 The Pulse: PCSD Podcast – PCSD Wellness Center & Health Benefits Update
🎧 Watch now: https://youtu.be/Kfi9QIIysJc
🎧 Listen here: www.putnamschools.org/page/the-pulse
In this episode, Superintendent Dr. Rick Surrency welcomes Mr. Burnett, Mr. Motl, and special guest Dr. John Milanick, Chief Medical Officer of Express Medical Group, to share important updates focused on employee wellness, healthcare access, and preventive care in Putnam County Schools. The conversation highlights the continued success of the PCSD Wellness Center, which opened at the start of the school year and has already seen strong employee participation, high satisfaction, and zero out-of-pocket costs for many services—including sick visits, wellness checks, coaching, lab work, and select prescriptions.
This episode reinforces PCSD’s commitment to making Putnam County Schools a great place to work—by prioritizing health, access to care, and the well-being of both employees and students.
#ProudtobePCSD
🎉 National School Choice Week | January 26–30 🎉
At Putnam County School District, we know that learning looks different for every student — and we embrace that. 💙💚 From college prep and career pathways to accelerated coursework and personalized learning experiences, PCSD offers a wide range of choices designed to meet students where they are and help them thrive.
🔗 Explore all of the school choice options available in PCSD:
https://www.putnamschools.org/page/school-choice
✨ Want to experience those choices in person? ✨
Join us TONIGHT for our Pathways to Success: Family Night, where families can explore the many opportunities available to students right here in Putnam County.
📅 Thursday, January 29, 2026
⏰ 6:00 PM
📍 C.L.O. District Center
ALL Putnam County families are welcome — including PCSD students, homeschool families, and private school families. This event is especially helpful for 6–8 grade families.
The evening will begin with a speaker presentation, followed by an interactive showcase where families can speak directly with school leaders, teachers, and students to learn about programs, pathways, and real-life experiences on our campuses.
Schools represented include:
• Crescent City Jr.-Sr. High School
• Interlachen Jr.-Sr. High School
• Palatka Jr.-Sr. High School
• QI Roberts Jr.-Sr. High School
• Putnam Academy of Arts and Sciences
• Putnam Virtual School
Your pathway. Your choice. Your future — at PCSD. 💙💚
📵🌱 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! 💙💚
