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. 

• Walton High School was recognized for raising $1223.70
• Van R. Butler Elementary was recognized for raising $1485.58
• Emerald Coast Middle School was recognized for raising $2615.22

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

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

Ellis Island comes to life at WDE! From 1892 to 1954, over twelve million immigrants entered the United States through the portal of Ellis Island, a small island in New York Harbor. Second grade students at WDE had the unique opportunity to experience life as an immigrant. This included choosing a foreign country, new name, and reason for immigrating to America. Students experienced waiting in a long line to enter Ellis Island, going through a medical exam, and a questioning session with an Ellis Island official who determined whether or not they could enter the United States for a better life.

Submitted by Jessica Dawkins