District News

ECMS advanced art students kicked off the first day of school with a creative challenge requiring them to use found items in their backpacks to design a portrait.
This collaborative process encouraged problem solving and teamwork while also helping to establish our classroom community. Students had only 15 minutes to plunder through their various school supplies and soon realized that art can be created from the most ordinary items when it is in the hands of those with imagination and perseverance.
After a gallery walk and artist reflection, students gathered up their temporary masterpieces with a greater appreciation for not only found art, but also newfound friends.
#ArtsinEd #Teamwork #ArtinEverything

ECMS Advanced 6

ECMS Advanced 5

ECMS Advanced 4

ECMS Advanced 5

ECMS Advanced 3

“Got Respect? Tour” speaker, Christ Hollyfied, visited Mossy Head School to discuss with students the emotional and physical effects of bullying, and also how to recognize and avoid it among their peers. Chris uses his experiences, his life struggles, and stories to give students real life examples of bullying and how to overcome it so they can go on to be healthy and successful.

Got Respect

“I mustache you a question” was the theme of the day in 7th and 8th grade science at Paxton School yesterday, as students used their new investigator persona to make observations and then draw inferences. Students collaborated with their groups to use their senses to make accurate observations about objects in a series of nine mystery bags spread throughout the room. They then used their observations to infer what mystery object was located inside.

Submitted by Kalli McMillan

PAX Moustache

The Freeport Middle School Art Department created works of art to honor Patriot Day, the annual observance on September 11 to remember those who were injured or died during the terrorist attacks in the United States on September 11, 2001. The art students also wrote personal reflections of how they feel or think each year on Patriot Day. Every student in the school participated in creating a remembrance chain by making individual links that were used to finish the memorial displays.

FMS Patriots Day

Chris Hollyfield, the founder of 3D T.E.A.M., spoke to students at West DeFuniak Elementary about bullying. Chris Hollyfield is a motivational speaker, actor, and business owner. You may also know him as “Little Boogeyman” on WWE Smack Down. “Measuring 4-foot-4, he is perceived as an undersized man in an oversized world, and maximizes his visual difference to help students recognize, and avoid, teasing and bullying among their peers.”

During his anti-bullying presentation, Chris spoke to the students about respect for others, respect for yourself, and self-determination. He related these topics back to his personal struggles and encouraged students that despite the physical, mental, and emotional challenges they may face, anything is possible with a positive perspective.

Hollyfield at WDE

Concert pianist, Jihye Chang, visited at Paxton School today, courtesy of the Rosemary Beach Foundation, performing for Mrs. Wilson’s secondary art students, and 2nd and 3rd grade students in Mrs. Wade’s art and music classes. The students were enthralled with the incredible skill and expressive ability of the performing artist, and equally intrigued by the mechanism and structure of the piano itself! #FineArtsEducation #MakingArtisticConnections #ArtsEdWeek

Concert Pianist at PAX

September 8-14 is National Arts in Education Week! Established by Congress in 2010, National Arts in Education Week is a national celebration recognizing the transformative power of the arts in education.

Superintendent A. Russell Hughes, the Walton County School Board, and the entire Walton County School District recognize that the arts are an essential part of a complete education...preparing the Whole Child for a lifetime of success. All students benefit from artistic learning, innovative thinking, and creativity, and National Arts in Education Week is a way to recognize this impact and share the message with friends, family, and communities.

All week we will be giving you a window view into the exciting things happening in our Fine Arts Programs.

Here are some pics from the art classes of Dimitri Zachos, visual arts educators at Walton High School. The students in these pictures are working on Zentangle art...The Zentangle Method is a way to create beautiful images by drawing structured patterns. These patterns are called tangles. The project emphases design issues such as lines and patterns as well as composition and working in the moment. Students were allowed to bring shoes as an option to create their art. Thanks to Mr. Zachos and his students for giving us a glimpse of the creation of Zentangle art.

WHS Zentangle Art

All PreK personnel attended a special professional learning led by Davidica McConnell, WCSD Literacy Coach, and Bay School Principal, Pam Jones. Pre-K staff were introduced to the challenges students face learning to read and the importance of beginning phonological awareness in Pre-K.

Technology and Tradition go hand in hand for Walton High School piano keyboard students Trace Bell and Kayla Cordle! #TheoryandPractice #ArtsandTechnology

Freeport Elementary School had a huge turnout for their Watch Dog Dads Program. Over 150 dads attended the Pizza Night for students, fathers, and father-figures and signed up to volunteer throughout our school! This is the 2nd year that FES has partnered with the program to bring positive male role models into the school.

"The WATCH D.O.G.S.® program was created by a group of parents and educators in a single school in 1998, and has since grown to one of the largest and most respected family and community engagement initiatives in the country.

Each year thousands of schools across the country utilize the WATCH D.O.G.S. ® program to reach out to the fathers and father-figures of their students and invite those men to take at least one full day off work during the school year and spend that entire day volunteering in their child’s school. Each year WATCH D.O.G.S. ® generates millions of in-school volunteer hours in support of our students and educators across the country.

Program benefits
• Students gain a positive male role model. Some students do not have a father-figure present in their home and the number of male teachers has been steadily declining in recent years. More positive male role models are needed in the school setting.
• Schools gain an extra set of eyes and ears. The presence of WatchDOGS (Dads Of Great Students) can increase a sense of security at the building for students and staff, and it helps create an environment conducive to learning.
• Fathers and father-figures can spend meaningful time with their students in the school setting and gain a greater awareness of the positive impact they can have on their student’s life, just by being a ‘dad’.
• When WatchDOGS invest a day at school, they can learn how better to partner with the school to meet the educational goals of students."

Freeport Elementary is excited to continue this program for their school and community!

FES Watchdog Dads

ECMS Advanced Art Students Explore Problem Solving and Team Work!

September 12, 2019

"Got Respect!"

September 12, 2019

Paxton Science Students "Mustache" You a Question

September 11, 2019

FMS Art Students Remember Patriots Day!

September 11, 2019

Motivational Speaker Chris Hollyfield Visits West DeFuniak Elementary!

September 11, 2019

Rosemary Beach Foundation Brings Concert Pianist to Paxton School!

September 10, 2019

National Arts in Education Week September 8-14 WHS Zentangle Projects

September 9, 2019

District Wise PreK Staff Attend Professional Development Learning!

September 9, 2019

Technology and Tradition in Walton High School Piano Keyboard Class!

September 8, 2019

FES Watch D.O.G.S Dads Program Kicks-off Year 2 With Success

September 8, 2019