SWHS is bringing Unity to their campus and showing a stance against bullying through the Kindness Rocks Project.  Plus, SWHS Principal, Dr. Alexis Tibbetts, issued a challenge to all students to sign the Unity Day pledge to stand together against bullying and be united for kindness, acceptance and inclusion. Over 450 students accepted that challenge and signed the pledge!  Submitted by Keitha Bledsoe.

The FHS Sunshine Band earned Straight Superior Ratings on Saturday, October 14th, at the Southern Showcase in Dothan, Alabama.  The overall score included the following ratings:  Superior Drum Major, Superior Colorguard, Superior Drumline, and Superior Band.  Congratulations to Mr. Miller, Miss Miller, and the members of the Sunshine Band for a great performance!

Come see the Sunshine Band this coming Saturday, October 21st, at Arnold High School, performing at the Florida Bandmasters Association District 2 Marching Music Performance Assessment.  The band will perform at 3:30! Submitted by Celeste Goodwin.

Snook Academy hosted FHS for Friday's football game. The Snook cheerleaders gave our cheerleaders a warm welcome. Submitted by Patty Woodard.

Walton County School District is bursting with Excellence, Professionalism, Innovation and Collaboration as teachers participate in multiple professional development activities throughout the district. 

Friday, October 13, is a perfect example as district wide Digital Lead Teachers gathered together as a collaborative effort to brainstorm about how to better assist schools and teachers with digital instructional strategies and tools!  District Coordinator, Crystal Appel, and District Digital Learning Specialist, Christine Petersen, instructed and guided the collaboration as they work to find ways to empower WCSD teachers through the assistance of their individual school based Digital Lead Teachers.  Superintendent Russell Hughes visited the workshop briefly to encourage participants in the Walton County Way = EPIC!

When a student is falling behind in reading, time makes a huge difference in their success level.  WCSD reading teachers attended a workshop on the Sonday System developed by educator and researcher Arlene Sonday. The program is designed to help students who have been struggling get caught up with their peers.  The Sonday System is a research based program that provides educators tools to identify, intervene, and help struggling students improve their reading skills using effective multisensory instruction.  

In the Carlene H. Anderson Training Room at the Wise Educational Center, Secondary English Language Arts instructors participated in a type of knowledge and strategies based "Boot Camp" to equip teachers with additional tools to help students achieve and succeed.  SWHS Dean of Students, Carrie Chavers, facilitated the workshop as teachers networked, shared ideas and strategies, and acquired new learning designed to boost student academic accomplishment.  

submitted by Keitha Bledsoe