District News

WDE 5th Grade Students Participate in Table Top Twitter Reading Strategy

March 25, 2016

Submitted by Pam Leavins, West DeFuniak Elementary School

WDE 5th graders participated in a reading strategy called “Table Top Twitter.”  Students were able to read an excerpt form a passage with their group members and then “Tweet” their thoughts about what they read.  Students were able to read each other’s comments and respond back to each other.  Table Top Twitter is a great strategy for getting all students to interact with text and gives them a chance to share their thoughts about reading with each other.

 WDE Table Top Twitter Reading Strategy WDE Table Top Twitter Reading Strategy

WMS Science Club Students Dissect Spiny Starfish

March 23, 2016

Submitted by Kristen Rhodes, WMS

On Friday, March 18th, WMS Science Club students had a blast dissecting spiny starfish.  Students learned the anatomy of the starfish, as well as its reproductive and cardiovascular systems.  Learning always has a longer lasting impact when it is hands-on.

ECMS "Storm Singers" Win 1st Place in FDEM PSA Video Contest

March 23, 2016

Submitted by Angela Vance, Emerald Coast Middle School

Emerald Coast Middle School students and PSA contest finalists Reese Branton and Alyssa Sutton are a singing duo, better known as “Storm Singers”.  The Florida Division of Emergency Management selected the singers as 1st Place Winners in the 2016 Severe Weather Awareness Week Video PSA contest for middle school students. 

Reese Branton and Alyssa Sutton created a song with unique lyrics and rhythm highlighting information on tornado safety for their PSA.  The duo filmed the PSA in their Media Class at ECMS, taught by Ms. Angela Vance.  The PSA titled, “Storm Singers” is posted on Kids Get a Plan Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/KidsGetAPlan.  The students will receive prizes and perhaps an opportunity to participate in media/promotional events or ceremonies and interviews.  The winning video will be professionally re-produced and used by the Division in the statewide public awareness campaign. 

Mrs. Pacheco's 5th Period Class at ECMS Wins Achieve 3000's "Read to Succeed 2" Contest

March 23, 2016

Submitted by Angela Vance, Emerald Coast Middle School

Congratulations to Mrs. Pacheco’s 5th period class who are winners once again! They competed in and won Achieve3000’s “Read to Succeed 2” contest that took place between February 22 and March 18.  If you recall, 5th period also won Achieve3000’s fall contest.

Students worked hard by reading nonfiction articles and answering questions. Each time a student scored 75% or higher they earned points for their class. Fifth period earned more points than any other class at ECMS.  Acheive3000 awarded the class with a gift card to spend towards a party. Way to go 5th period!

Pictured: Back Row: Connor Campbell, Makenna Gailey, Isabella Blasbichler, Bennett Edson, Mitchael Hall, and Sam Vermillion.  Front Row: Cinthia Castandeda, David Gonzalez, Darius McIntosh, Kaylee Michua (not pictured: Emmanuel Angeles, Sherry Lin, Mayra Lopez, and Cooper Richards)

 

SWHS Student Jadorian Paul Offered Scholarship to MIT

March 21, 2016

Submitted by Barbara Stratton, South Walton High School

Jielle Paul and the entire SWHS student body congratulated Jadorian Paul for being admitted to MIT next year. Jadorian has been offered $61,000 per year in scholarships to attend this prestigious university.

School Board Recognizes SWHS Cheerleaders' Success at State Competition

March 21, 2016

Submitted by Linda Winthurst, Walton County School District

The South Walton High School Competitive Cheerleading Team were recognized at the School Board Meeting on March 15th as State Champions in Class 1-A Large Division Non-Tumbling Finals at the 2016 Florida High School Competitive Cheerleading State Competition.

Pop Art at WMS

March 21, 2016

Submitted by Kristen Rhodes, Walton Middle School

Students in Mrs. Katlyn Dorriety's sixth grade art classes at Walton Middle School have been learning about the history, elements, and techniques of the pop art movement.  Students have studied the work of pop art greats, like Roy Lichtenstein, Andy Warhol, and Wayne Thiebaud, among others.  During the recent unit, students even decorated the campus outdoor walkways with legal chalk grafitti, with images supporting the school's sports teams.  Every student becomes an artist under Mrs. Dorriety's inspiring and skilled direction.

WMS Pop Art

WCSD Receives an Energy Pacesetter Award for Saving Energy!

March 21, 2016

Submitted by Michelle Doggett, Energy Specialist, WCSD

The Walton County School District was presented the Energy Pacesetter Award at the March 15, 2016 School Board meeting for “setting the pace” in energy savings for others.  The District has achieved a 33 percent cost avoidance savings totaling $4,178,309 in 49 months through its energy program with Cenergistic, an energy conservation company. We are gratified that Walton County School District has been recognized for its commitment to good budgetary and environmental stewardship.

 The energy program’s savings come from the cooperative efforts of each staff member at each of our facilities. Every person in every group — administrators, plant managers, custodial, maintenance and operations, food service, faculty and staff — has ownership of the energy he or she uses. We’ve found that as each person becomes aware of the positive effect conservation efforts can have, each one is doing what it takes to save energy. It’s very gratifying to see the level of cooperation continue to rise throughout our organization. We work diligently, day in and day out, through the year to reduce energy waste. Through our continued efforts our collective success is measured.

Success can be measured in many ways. While dollar savings are significant, the energy program’s environmental impact is worth noting. The resources saved by not generating the 112,399 MMBTUs we conserved in the 49 months are equivalent to removing 3,555 automobiles from the road or planting 437,498 pine trees. That’s wise conservation of natural resources for our future generations.

 All WCSD employees and students should be lauded for their conservation success as we continue to eliminate energy waste and preserve savings for classrooms and students throughout Walton County Schools.

Pictured Left to Right:  School Board Member Jason Catalano, Superintendent Anderson, Energy Specialist Michelle Doggett, Facilities & Maintenance Director Mark Gardner, and Cenergistic Regional President Gary Clark

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