District News

WMS Agriculture Students Receive Astounding Donations for Class Garden

August 28, 2018

Students in Mr. Joe Proffitt's agriculture classes at Walton Middle School will soon have all the tools they need for their edible garden this year, thanks to many gracious donors. On Friday, August 24, 2018, Mr. Proffitt created an Edible Garden Grant through the "Donors Choose" website, requesting $600 to buy a wheelbarrow, loop hoes, rakes, shovels, and pitch forks. Mr. Proffitt, his students, and their families shared the project across social media over the weekend. Amazingly, within just two days, community members, and even complete strangers from Texas, Kansas, and New York, had donated enough money to fully fund the program, with an additional $150 to buy extra equipment. Not only has Mr. Proffitt been teaching his students how to grow healthy gardens, but he has also been emphasizing the importance of having healthy hearts as well--teaching students about the bounty that can grow from random acts of kindness. Therefore, Mr. Proffitt and his students were humbled by the generosity of so many kind individuals and will use their donations well to make their class garden grow.
 
Pictured L to R: Tomas Valerio, Gavin Rhodes, Gage Pickron, Tanner Poole
 
Submitted by Kristen Nelson

Making it P.O.P at Emerald Coast Middle School!

August 28, 2018

Superintendent Hughes stopped in Ms. Adkins science class at ECMS to observe a lesson; one portion emphasized the difference between Quality and Quantity. Took time to take a selfie with EPIC2 students! They were making it POP! #ProgressOnPurpose

Dr. Jennifer Hawthorne, WCSD Specialist - School and Leadership Development, Presents Workshop at PAEC, Chipley, Fl

August 27, 2018

On August 24, 2018, Dr. Jennifer Hawthorne, WCSD Specialist – School and Leadership Development, shared her vast knowledge and expertise with current and future school leaders across the Florida Panhandle as she facilitated the Principal Convening Workshop at PAEC in Chipley, Florida. The topic of the workshop was “Putting People First”, and Dr. Hawthorne concentrated on five key areas: Set High Expectations, Allow People to Do Their Jobs, Inspect What You Expect, Lead Conversations that Foster Growth and Show People You Care. The participants were actively engaged throughout the day and left with some valuable strategies to carry back to their schools!  Submitted by Candy Bodie

School Safety Specialist Charlie Morse Discusses New Safety Plan with Principals

August 24, 2018

Working diligently to ensure the safety and security of all WCSD students and staff, Charlie Morse, newly appointed WCSD School Safety Specialist, met with all district Principals on Thursday, August 23, to discuss the new safety plan for the District. Tom Ring, Professional Standards, Walton County Sheriff’s Office described the plan as “a complete, comprehensive, and intentional plan that is compatible with all schools throughout the District.” Also present were James Pittman, Lieutenant, School Resource Deputy Program, and Steve Hough, Site Safety Inspector.

Walton County School District is grateful for the EPIC collaboration between the school district and the Walton County Sheriff's Office.  

Congressman Matt Gaetz Visits Walton High School During “Open Gaetz Day!”

August 24, 2018

Congressman Gaetz was warmly welcomed by the WHS administration and the student leadership team upon his arrival at the school. 
He was taken on a tour of the facility arranged and guided by the WHS leadership team that included the Culinary department, Media Center, a U.S History class, Drama class, AVID class, and the ROTC program.

Congressman Gaetz shared with several groups of students during his visit his admiration for General George Washington (later President Washington). “The most inspiring piece of art in the United States Capital, to me, is a painting of George Washington resigning his commission as Commander in Chief of the Continental Army. At all times in human history prior to Washington, the Generals who won the wars became the Emperors...became the Kings. But Washington’s belief was that power should not be invested in a person, but rather in an institution that serves and is representative of all the people. The fact that this happened here in the United States of America first...that our birth as a nation was the function of a man’s selflessness of not wanting power but wanting the elected officials of the people to be in power...makes me so proud and honored to be an American.”

Congressman Gaetz ended his visit with a stop by the Brave room at WHS, where a District Principal’s meeting was underway. He shared his admiration and respect to those who educate the future leaders of our country.

    

Matt Gaetz with Walton High School Principal, Janet Currid, and Assistant Principal, Nathan Smith

Congressman Gaetz with WHS Leadership Team

Front Row: Tia Leathers, Lorelei Bailey, Abigail Hewitt

Second Row: Congressman Gaetz, Tyler Morse, John Pennington, Blake Saunders

Visiting in the Culinary Arts class! It was "Muffin Day", and Congressman Gaetz was provided a tasty treat during his visit.

Enjoying an improv session in the Drama class!

Sharing his thoughts about General George Washington...

Congressman Gaetz with the WHS ROTC class.

Congressman Gaetz visits with the WCSD principals at a district wide Principal's Meeting.  

WMS SEAPERCH Students Design Mousetrap Cars

August 24, 2018

WMS offers SEAPERCH, a STEM/engineering course facilitated by Mrs. Greer Harvell, as an elective option for students.  This week, students designed small vehicles powered by the snapping action of a mousetrap.  Students' vehicles must cover a flat distance of five meters.  Upon completion, each team member documented their learning with a written summary of their research on automotive engineering and mousetrap racers.  Through teamwork, SEAPERCH students rose to meet the cognitive demands of the complex challenge.

Students in Picture 1:  Chloe Cumby, Kristen Meeks, Cienna Derruisseaux

Students in Picture 2:  Ethan Austin, Alicia O'Daniels

Submitted by Kristen Nelson

Respect!

August 21, 2018


Students in Mrs. Caudill’s third grade class at Butler Elementary are learning there is more to school than just the 3 R’s!  They are discussing what it means to respect others and create a positive classroom culture!  Submitted by Tammy Smith

Back-To-School with Inquiry in 8th Grade Science at WMS

August 20, 2018

Walton Middle School science teacher Mrs. Greer Harvell welcomed students back to school with a fun, get-to-know-your-teacher lesson that combined evidence-based writing and inquiry skills.  Throughout the year, science students will investigate science topics through literacy and hands-on practice using the Claim-Evidence-Reasoning strategy (CER).  Mrs. Harvell introduced the CER approach on the second day of school by allowing students an opportunity to get to know her.  Mrs. Harvell filled a table at the front of her classroom with many miscellaneous personal objects and asked students to come up, examine the objects, and draft a claim about who their teacher is based on the evidence before them.  After drafting individual claims, students collaborated with shoulder partners, then shared their ideas with the class, supporting their thoughts with evidence and reasoning.  Not only did the activity give students a chance to learn more about their teacher, but it also introduced them to a powerful evidence-based inquiry strategy for successful science learning.  Submitted by Kristen Nelson

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