Destin High School

Tuition-Free Public Charter High School

Shark Bites July 25, 2025

Posted Date: 7/25/25 (10:17 PM)

Shark Bites Newsletter

July 25, 2025

School Year 2025-2026

Class of 2025 Drone Photo at Crab Island

Aerial view of boats and people in clear turquoise water.

Hello Shark Community

Welcome to this week's edition of Shark Bites! We're excited to share the latest news and updates from our school community, keeping you informed and engaged.
 

Parent Square Launch

Destin High School is Introducing a New Way to Stay Connected

Dear Destin High School Families,

We’re excited to announce that Destin High School is now using ParentSquare as our all-in-one communication platform to help keep you better informed, more connected, and engaged with your student’s education.

With ParentSquare, you’ll receive all school, grade-level, and classroom communications in one place—translated into your preferred language and accessible by email, text, app, or web. You'll also be able to:
  • Stay updated on school news and events
  • Message teachers and staff directly
  • Complete forms and permission slips
  • Sign up for conferences and volunteer opportunities
  • View calendar items and school photos

To make this transition as smooth as possible, please delete any BAND or Remind apps you’ve used for Destin High School in the past. Moving forward, ParentSquare will be the only platform we use for school communication.

We highly encourage you to download the free ParentSquare app for iOS or Android to stay fully connected. You can also log in at www.parentsquare.com from any web browser.
More information will be coming soon, including how to set up your account and customize your notification preferences.

Thank you for partnering with us to support your student’s success!

Sincerely,
Mr. Williams
Executive Director
Destin High School
 
Destin High School invites students and parents to a New Shark Open House.

📣 Calling All New Sharks!

We’re excited to welcome our newest students to Destin High School! 🦈
Join us for Open House on Wednesday, August 6, 2025, from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM. This event is just for new students and their families — it’s a great opportunity to:

✅ Tour the school
✅ Meet some of our staff
✅ Ask questions about schedules, parking, tech, and more
✅ Learn what it means to be a Destin Shark!

Come explore the Shark Tank and start your high school journey off with confidence and excitement!

📍 Destin High School
📅 August 6, 2025
🕙 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM

We can’t wait to meet you!
#WelcomeSharks #OpenHouse2025 #ElevAteDHS #GoSharks
 
Join DHSPN! A recruitment poster for the student media team at Destin High School.

🎥 JOIN DHSPN — The Official Voice of Our Student Sharks! 🦈

Are you creative, full of school spirit, and ready to be part of something BIG at Destin High?

DHSPN is the heartbeat of our school, where students, athletics, clubs, and entertainment all come together. We post it. We capture it. We cover it. We share it. And we want YOU on the team.

📸 Positions include:
  • Sports Coverage
  • Student Spotlights
  • Club Highlights
  • Game Day Coverage
  • Behind-the-Scenes Features
  • Entertainment, Trends & More

No experience needed — just bring your energy and Shark Pride! 💙

Let’s continue building something special together.

📧 Interested? Email Caitlyn.dill@staff.destinhighschool.org to join the team!
American Legion High School Oratorical Scholarship Program poster with Uncle Sam pointing.

American Legion Oratorical Scholarship Program Information

POC: Jim Wood, American Legion Post 296, Destin FL / armyguyindestin@embarqmail.com / (850) 502-9468
 

Athletic Updates

Find information about Shark Athletics here!

⛳ GOLF TRYOUTS – TEE IT UP WITH THE SHARKS! 🦈

When: August 13 & 14 at 3:30 PM
Where: Kelly Plantation Golf Club
📍 307 Kelly Plantation Drive, Destin, FL 32541
Who: Open to ALL interested Destin High School students!

Join Coach Robert Whitt for golf tryouts as we get ready to launch another exciting season on the greens. Whether you’re a seasoned player or just getting into the swing of things, we welcome all skill levels to come out and compete for a spot on the team.

🏌️‍♂️ Bring your clubs, wear proper golf attire, and get ready to represent the Sharks with pride!

📧 Questions? Contact Coach Whitt at:
robert.whitt@coach.destinhighschool.org
Let’s go, Sharks! 🦈⛳

Important Notice for Student-Athletes

To be cleared to participate in athletics at Destin High School, all student-athletes must follow the step-by-step directions outlined in the clearance guide linked below:

Please note:
You are not cleared to participate in any practices, tryouts, or games until ALL required forms are completed and uploaded, and you have received an official clearance notification through the system.

Non-traditional students must complete additional steps as outlined at: Non-Traditional Students - Florida High School Athletic Association

Thank you for your attention to this process. Let’s have a great season, Sharks! 🦈

🎒 School Readiness Checklist: Are You Set for Success? 📋

The first day is right around the corner, make sure your Shark is ready to dive in fully prepared!

A stylized image of a shark with the words 'WE NEED YOU' above it.

🧹🛠️ CALLING ALL VOLUNTEERS! 🦈💙

Help Us Get Ready for the New School Year!

We’re looking for helping hands on Friday, August 1 to make sure Destin High School is prepped and polished for the first day of school! From organizing classrooms to tidying up campus spaces, your support makes all the difference.

📅 Date: Friday, August 1
📍 Where: Destin High School
🕘 Time: Various shifts available — sign up to let us know when you can help!

Whether you can give an hour or a few, we’d love to have you on campus. Let’s show our Shark pride and kick off the year strong!

📝 Sign up through the volunteer link on ParentSquare.

Thank you for being part of the Shark Family! 🦈💪

A black laptop is open, displaying a colorful screen with app icons.

School Computer Readiness

Dear Shark Families,
If you did not purchase your student’s Chromebook during last week’s Welcome Back to School Shop, there’s still time! You may purchase a Chromebook now through our school’s lease-to-own program using the link below.
You may pay in full or choose a convenient payment plan:
Alternatively, if you prefer not to purchase a Chromebook, your student may use a school-issued device by paying the $100 annual Tech Use Fee.
You may pay in full or choose a convenient payment plan:
Please complete one of the two options as soon as possible to ensure your student is ready for the first day of school.

Check it off the list - Purchase your Parking Pass

🚗 Time to Purchase Your 2025–2026 Parking Pass!
Students who plan to drive to school this year will need to purchase their annual parking pass for the 2025–2026 school year.

🎟️ Cost: $100
🌐 Purchase Online through the form at the bottom of this edition of Shark Bites

Parking passes are required for all student drivers and will be available for pickup during the first week of school.

Be sure to complete your purchase soon to secure your spot!

Let’s start the school year ready to roll!
#SharkParking #GoSharks #ElevAteDHS
 
A back-to-school supply list for Destin High School, with sections for basics, study aids, and craft materials.

🎒🖊️ Sharks, It's Time to Grab Your School Supplies! 📚✂️

Let’s get organized and ready for an amazing school year at Destin High School! 🦈
We’ve made it easy — check out our official 2025-2026 School Supply List here:


✅ Pro tip: Start early to avoid the rush
✅ Don’t forget a water bottle
✅ Bring your supplies with you on the first day of school!

Let’s make this year organized, successful, and full of Shark Pride! 💙🦈

#DestinHigh #SharkPride #BackToSchool #GetReadySharks
 

📅 Stay in the Know: Check the 2025–2026 School Calendar!

Shark Families — the countdown is on! 🦈 The first day of school is Monday, August 11, and the school day begins promptly at 8:00 AM. Please make sure your student arrives early and ready to start strong!

To help your family stay on top of all important dates — including holidays, early release Fridays, grading periods, testing windows, and more — we’ve published the full 2025–2026 School Calendar online.

View the calendar here:

A smooth start begins with being informed and prepared. Let’s make this our best year yet as we continue to ElevAte every aspect of school life together!
#FirstDayReady
#ElevAteDHS
#SharkLife
#GoSharks
Example calendar with dates pinned
 
Anchor Annual Fund

Anchor Annual Fund

Dear Shark Families and Friends,

At Destin High School, we believe that great things happen when community, purpose, and opportunity come together. As a tuition-free public charter school, we were founded to do things differently and better. We offer a dynamic, college and career-focused experience with the look and feel of a private school and the accessibility of a public one.

We’re proud of the academic and extracurricular programs our students enjoy, but here’s what many people don’t realize:

As a charter school, we do not receive the same level of funding as district schools. This year, we will receive only 60% of the local millage tax funding per student. We won’t reach full funding parity with Okaloosa County School District until 2028. And while we benefit from the county’s half-cent sales tax for facilities, these limited funds don’t cover the full cost of an exceptional public education.

That’s why we created the Anchor Annual Fund, a vital giving initiative that supports every student, every day. It helps fund classroom materials, technology, safety upgrades, academic support, counseling, enrichment programs, and more.

🔹 Our goal is simple: 100% participation by our families.

Whether you give $25 or $2,500, your participation matters.

Every gift sends a powerful message that we are all in on our mission and our students.
This Annual Fund is part of a broader strategy to grow our financial sustainability. Our overall fundraising goal for the year is $800,000, which includes not only the Anchor Fund but also major gifts, grants, and special events. We recognize that to build a secure future, we must diversify our revenue streams and establish donor pathways that align with the needs of our community.

For those interested in making a larger impact, we also offer opportunities to support strategic priorities like:
  • Recruiting and retaining the best and brightest educators
  • Expanding our Career and Technical Education programs
  • Investing in our campus and athletic facilities to meet student needs

And giving isn’t limited to dollars, your time and talent are just as valuable. If you’re looking for ways to get involved, we invite you to participate in our Parent Liaison Group (See below), where your voice, service, and ideas make a meaningful difference.

💙 As a charter school, we have the freedom to innovate, offering a customized, student-centered experience you won’t find anywhere else. We provide multiple pathways to success, a vibrant campus culture, and hands-on learning that reflects the best of what public education can be.

Let’s build something remarkable—together.

🎯 Make your gift today:

Sincerely,

Mr. Williams
Executive Director
 
A smiling teacher stands in a classroom with the text 'Sponsor a Teacher'.

Be a Hero – Sponsor a Destin High School Teacher Today!

Sharks, we need YOU! 🦈💙

We’re launching our 'Sponsor a Teacher ' campaign, just 38 teachers need champions like you! For $1,000, you’ll directly support student success, classroom innovation, and essential supplies for the year.

Whether you’re a proud parent, local business, or alumni, this is your chance to leave a legacy.

📚 Sponsor a teacher today: igfn.us/form/9sUdlg

Let’s unite and sponsor every single teacher before the school year kicks off.
Thank you for being part of our community. Together, we build excellence, one teacher at a time.
 
A website interface encourages users to donate by giving up a cup of coffee.

🦈 Small Sacrifices, Big Impact: Give Up to Give Back 💙

Did You Know?
Just $10 a month can help provide classroom materials, fund student events, and improve our campus.

If 100 supporters gave up just one fancy coffee each week, we’d raise over $24,000 a year, enough to change lives at Destin High School.

Give up a latte, just one a week,
To help our school reach goals we seek.
A streaming sub, a snack on the go,
Trade a little to help us grow.

Give up the extra, not the heart,
Each small gift plays a mighty part.
From classroom needs to dreams we chase,
You’re helping build a stronger place.

So join the wave, make kindness track,
It’s time to Give Up to Give Back.
Your small change fuels a future bright,
For every Shark, a guiding light.

🎁 Start your ripple effect today:
Let’s build a better Destin High, one small sacrifice at a time. 💙🦈
 
Image with text: Shark Support Spotlight, logos for FRLA and Filta, and a thank you message.
 
The word 'VOLUNTEER' is spelled out with colorful letters pinned to a corkboard.

Become a Tide Leader — Make a Lasting Impact at Destin High School!

We’re inviting passionate and engaged parents like you to help shape the future of Destin High School by joining our team of Tide Leaders and help us "turn the tide for stronger parent-school collaboration."

This is more than just a volunteer role—it’s a chance to be a driving force behind our school’s culture, fundraising efforts, and community connection.

🌟 What is a Tide Leader?
Tide Leaders are enthusiastic, committed volunteers who serve as a vital link between families, school leadership, and the wider community. We’re looking for representatives from each grade level to help strengthen and support our mission.

As a Parent Liaison, you’ll:
  • Champion a culture of giving and gratitude among DHS families to strengthen our Annual Fund and support major gift fundraising
  • Identify potential sponsorships, partnerships, and grant opportunities
  • Support and grow fundraising events like our Annual Golf Tournament and help bring new signature events to life
  • Lead efforts to celebrate and recognize our incredible teachers and staff, helping to foster a positive, appreciative school culture
  • Build stronger connections between parents and school leadership
  • Encourage greater volunteer participation and parent leadership in school activities
  • Serve as a trusted advocate and ambassador for Destin High School
  • Assist with donor thank-you efforts and personalized recognition outreach

💙 Get Involved
Whether you have a few hours a month or more to give, your time and talents can make a real difference. Join a fun, dynamic team of fellow parents who are passionate about supporting our school and celebrating the people who make it special.


Together, we can help DHS thrive—now and into the future.
Tide Leader Application Form
 
Person using a laptop

Contact info

If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact us. You can reach out via the following links:

  • (850) 204-4044
  • info@destinhighschool.org
  • www.destinhighschool.org