Mrs. Chastity McLaney's 4th graders are going to "Blow" FSA away! Students are ready to show off their learning on the FSA!

Submitted by: Chastity McLaney/Jessica Dawkins

In acknowledgement of former Walton County School District Superintendent Carlene H. Anderson's forty-one years of dedicated service to the WCSD, and her achievements and contributions during this time, the School Board of Walton County re-named the Training Center located at the Walton Initiative for Success in Education Center (WISE) in Defuniak Springs, Florida as the Carlene H. Anderson Training Center on Tuesday, April 4, 2017.  After a welcome greeting by School Board member, Kim Kirby, the Walton High School Chorus under the direction of Ashley Gay performed "Sing We Joy" by Henry Purcell.  During the ceremony,  Mr. Mark Gardner, WCSD Director of Facilities, explained the history of the building, and Mrs. Anderson's role in the transforming of the building from a school media center to a professional training facility.  Mr. Tom Blackshear, Facilities Planner, read the School Board Resolution naming the training after Mrs. Anderson, and Superintendent Russell Hughes spoke of her dedication and love for children as an educator, and her guidance and leadership as Superintendent of Walton County Schools for eleven years.

Mrs. Anderson thanked the School Board, and Superintendent Hughes for the very special honor, and spoke of her "commitment to train and continuously develop our professionals."  She shared, "...the one most impactful element in a student's education is the quality and skills of the person who stands in from of them every day...the teacher. So when you are perfecting a teacher, you're making the greatest impact on the largest number of students for decades to come."

A lovely reception  was held following the dedication, coordinated by Laura Smith, School Board secretary, and Joyce Gentry, Facilities Department secretary.  The Walton County School District is grateful to Mrs. Carlene Anderson for her contributions to the children and educators of Walton County. 

Submitted by Keitha Bledsoe.

Just like Disney’s Carousel of Progress ride, Mrs. Lathinghouse’s students are rotating around the room, finding practice FSA questions to answer.  When they hear the carousel music, they move on to the next problem.  They are ready to show what they know! 

Submitted by Krisy Spence.

Stingray pride has been spreading in a big way at Emerald Coast Middle School. Ms. Anderson's Science Classes have been collecting gently used (and new) stuffed animals.  The collection benefits Shriners Children's Hospital and many children will be given a stuffed animal during their stay at the hospitals.  Ms. Anderson wants to thank all the students and teachers who participated in the stuffed animal drive. ECMS collected over 800 stuffed animals for Shriners. Way to go Stingrays!!!!! The stuffed animals are on their way to deserving children in Shrevport, Louisiana and Tampa, Florida.  Submitted by Angela Vance.