Superintendent Hughes stopped in to see some students, participate and listen to Professional Development at VRB and FMS.  Spring Break is here, we are glad about it, BUT…..before we leave let’s prepare for an awesome and EPIC final last nine weeks and State Assessments.  We are ready, our students are ready and upon our return from the Well Deserved and needed break; we SHOW WHAT we know…..EPIC 4wRd!!!!!

COVID Update March 11, 2022

In the spirit of transparency, the Walton County School District (WCSD) will continue to update our stakeholders with COVID-19 data for the 2021-2022 school year. 

We are happy to share we had no – zero (0) – positive cases, campus exposures, and family exposures these last seven days. What awesome news! We appreciate those who have stayed home when sick, reported diagnosis to our schools, and follow district and state decision trees. Thank you to all stakeholders for being supportive, patient, and understanding as we continue our work together to ascertain these successful numbers, providing students quality instruction in school. This is a team effort and we are moving 4wRd!

Walton County School District COVID-19 Mitigation Strategies for the 2021-2022 School Year

1. If a person is sick (students, teachers, staff, and visitors), they should stay home.

2. Hand sanitizer is available at various areas inside the school.
3. Cleaning and disinfecting school facilities/buses which are occupied by students will be completed daily.
4. Adequate mitigation supplies are on hand at all schools/facilities (hand sanitizer, disinfectant wipes, etc.).
5. COVID-19 contact tracing is occurring in all schools/facilities.

Visitors are currently allowed at school during the school day.

*Please keep in mind that although COVID positive cases may represent a student or staff member within the WCSD, it does not necessarily indicate that the virus originated within the WCSD.  It is also important to note that a portion of the positive cases involve individuals who may have never entered the school setting while sick due to proper quarantining. 

Second Grade students at West DeFuniak Elementary in Mrs. Jamie Ellis’ class have been exploring igneous volcanic rocks and made mini volcanoes to exhibit what they have learned.

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Ms. Angela Reinke's eighth grade science students learned about acids and bases in two inquiry labs on Friday.

Acids taste sour, react with metals and carbonates, and turn blue litmus paper red.  Bases taste bitter, feel slippery, and turn red litmus paper blue.  Starting with lemon juice, students used medicine droppers to put drops of each substances on each colored piece of litmus paper, recording their observations.  This process continued with ammonia, coke, coffee, vinegar, baking soda solution, citric acid, and a saltwater solution.  After completing each test, students collaborated to classify the substances based on how they made the litmus paper change color.  They then formed conclusions about other properties the substances in each group have in common.

In the second lab called "pHone Home," students examined samples to determine whether they have low or high pH.  The pH scale ranges from 0 to 14, with the most acidic substances at the lower end and the most basic substances at the higher end.  Students used pH indicator paper to test the pH of different substances.  First, they filled plastic cups partially with water, then dropped antacid tablets in to create an additional substance.  Next, they observed the same materials provided in the first lab to predict which are most acidic and most basic.  Using droppers, they transferred individual samples onto fresh strips of pH paper, waiting to test the antacid until the tablet had completely dissolved.  Next, they compared the color of the strip to the provided pH test scale, recording the pH of each substance on the data table.  Students then listed their substances from lowest to highest, reflecting on which results surprised them.

When it comes to science, many students learn best through hands-on labs, and Mrs. Reinke gives her learners as many of these opportunities as they can.  The tribe is rising with STEAM experiences like these.