Walton Middle School Guidance Counselor Jodi Howell offered a helping hand when it was time to dig potatoes on May 3rd. As expected, Mr. Joe Proffitt’s Ag students’ plants were loaded! Students graciously shared the harvest with members of the WMS tribe. Spring is a beautiful thing at WMS.
Submitted by Kristen Nelson
WMS appreciates the generosity of our local McDonald’s. The store donated 220 sausage biscuits to feed eighth graders the morning of Science FCAT testing. Teachers, staff, and students humbly thank the restaurant for graciously supporting education. Submitted by Kristen Nelson.
Walton County School District provides video tips to help parents strengthen their child's academic success. This video was produced by Maude Saunders Elementary School and deals with the importance of every minute of the school day. Tardiness to school can make a huge impact on student academic success. Students who arrive at school late receive fewer minutes of instruction than students who are in class when the bell sounds. Their tardiness can also disrupt the learning of other students in their classes.
Watch the video for ideas on how to get to school on time and ready to learn!
Congrats to Jazzlyn Jarrett and Aric Hilley, who were recently crowned Walton High’s Prom Queen & King! Submitted by Christy English.
In between FSA testing days, Mrs. McMillan's 2nd graders took a fun and much needed break. The students got to make and play with their own slime. Mrs. McMillan was very surprised with her class's ingenuity and all the amzing things they were able to do with their slime. Way to go, 2nd graders!
Submitted by Kalli McMillan
Walton Middle School Agriculture students expect a bountiful vegetable harvest. This semester, under the direction of Mr. Joe Proffitt, students are growing peppers, tomatoes, squash, okra, kale, and many other flowers and vegetables. The students' prize potatoes promise to yield a loaded crop, thanks to the dedication of all 27 Ag students who've taken turns pouring the dirt on them as they've grown. Mr. Proffitt and his students proudly thank the following donors: Adams Farms (and student Eli Adams) for donating potatoes, ACE Hardware store manager Jonathon King for donating squash plants, and Jim and Deb Eveleth of Crescere Farms, LLC, for donating compost. The Ag class extends warm thanks to these gracious sponsors! Submitted by Kristen Nelson.
Change for Children is an exciting fundraiser for Walton and Okaloosa County Schools in collaboration with Children in Crisis, Inc., Florida. Elementary, Middle, K-12 and High School students bring in their change to help support The Children’s Neighborhood. Schools organized penny wars, talent shows, dress up days, pie in the face contests, and other fun activities to help get the students and staff excited about the campaign. This year, Walton County schools raised over $8,000! We are incredibly grateful to the students, teachers and staff of all the participating schools! The Walton County Campaign is run by the Walton County Education Foundation.
The mission of Children in Crisis is, “Providing Homes and Establishing Hope” for the abused, neglected and abandoned children of Northwest Florida. Children in Crisis is a local, non-profit charity that has provided a home to over 700 children since opening in 2008. The Children’s Neighborhood provides an emergency shelter for young children and the family foster homes help with the severe shortage of foster homes in our community.
Members of the Board of Directors and Associates from Children in Crisis presented the top three fundraising schools with a special recognition plaque at the Walton County School Board meeting on Tuesday night, May 1, 2018.
Congratulations to these schools, and all schools in Walton County for their assistance and generosity in this project!
Pictured are: Kim Kirby, Walton County School Board Chairperson; Allie Noah, Development Director of Children in Crisis; Kittie Johnson, Chairperson of the Board of Children in Crisis; Ken Hair, President and CEO of Children in Crisis; Capri Zodrow, Walton High School; Janet Currid, Principal, Walton High School; WCSD Superintendent Russell Hughes
Pictured are: Kim Kirby, Walton County School Board Chairperson; Allie Noah, Development Director of Children in Crisis; Kittie Johnson, Chairperson of the Board of Children in Crisis; Ken Hair, President and CEO of Children in Crisis;Todd Drake, Principal, Emerald Coast Middle School; WCSD Superintendent Russell Hughes
On Friday, April 27th Second graders at West DeFuniak Elementary school participated in a Sensory Bio Blitz conducted by the Emerald Coast Science Center. Students were asked to become scientists working in the field and began exploring the natural world around them. They were asked to use their senses such as hearing, seeing, smelling, and touching. The students went on a scavenger hunt to find certain plants and animals with specified characteristics. The students had a blast exploring the nature walk trails at the school, as well as finding some wild creatures in their natural habitats. Submitted by Jessica Dawkins.
30A Bike Shop Owner Josh Foreman and Coworker Tommy Lindsey donated a brand new bike to a very deserving student in Ms. Donnita Carroll’s classroom on Friday, April 27, 2018. Kyle Cooper bought $40 worth of tickets for a chance to win a bicycle and unselfishly gave many of them to friends in his class. Kyle didn’t have the winning ticket, but one of the tickets he purchased and gave to one of his friends was the winner! Kyle was so excited that is friend won and didn’t have one moment of sadness that he wasn’t the one going home with a new bike. When Mr. Foreman and Mr. Lindsey heard about Kyle’s selfless actions and genuine support of his friends, they wanted to make sure that Kyle had his own brand new bike. Ms. Carroll, Kyle’s Teacher, and Mrs. Karley Leach, Teacher Aide, are very thankful for the act of kindness shown to Kyle by Mr. Foreman and Mr. Lindsey. We are very fortunate to have people and businesses like these in our community! Walton County School District extends special thanks to 30A Bike Shop for their investment in the lives of our students!
Submitted by Angela Vance
