District News

Seniors from Walton High School, Freeport High School, and Paxton School gathered at Walton High School to participate in Senior Empowerment Day on Wednesday, October 25, at Walton High School.

Students moved through rotation to different stations where they had the opportunity to interact with representatives from local agencies and professions, post-secondary institutions, military, as well as staff members in an effort to provide them with resources to make good decisions about their post-high school career path.
Presenters shared information on topics such as banking, cooking, interviewing skills, veterinary medicine, emergency services, fire and rescue, law enforcement, nursing and pharmaceutical, musical theatre, and education.

Special thanks to all those who participated in bringing this resource to our WCSD seniors, and to those who coordinated and collaborated at Walton High School to make it happen! #EPIC2 #ProgressonPurpose

It's National School Bus Safety Week with the theme "My Driver - My Safety Hero!" Walton County School District wishes to extend a special "thank you" to our dedicated school bus drivers, and their diligence in getting our students to and from school safely each day!

In support of UNITY day, MSE staff and students came together in one giant ORANGE message of hope and support to show that we believe no child should ever experience bullying. Submitted by Krisy Spence

In recognition of School Bus Safety Week, MSE students and staff thanked our bus drivers for providing them with a safe ride to and from school and passed out goodie bags to our bus drivers, to show how much we appreciate them.

Submitted by Krisy Spence

Paxton's National Honor Society has just inducted the newest members to their chapter with their annual ceremony. The students were informed about the characteristics necessary to be an NHS member by the NHS officers (Top Right Picture - L to R): Zach Wilson, Hailee Bryan, Camryn Brazile, and Paiyton Perry) and enjoyed a word of encouragment from their principal, Mrs. Neale. Their sponsors (Wendy Jones and Kalli McMillan) and the rest of the chapter were very happy to welcome the new members.

The new NHS members are (Top Left Picture - L to R): Brianna Wright, Emily Wilson, Tabitha Snow, Hayley Simmons, Harmony Heitger, Dylan Hawkins, and Dylan Corbett.

Club Members (Bottom Picture - L to R): Back Row: Hayley Simmons, Harmony Heitger, Maddie Varnum, Tabitha Snow, Emily Wilson, Brianna Wright, Halie Porter, Camryn Brazile, Paiyton Perry, Hailee Bryan, Caylor Dixon, Hailey Ard, Paige Palmer, Skye Ramsey, Savannah Ard, and Trinity Shedd. Front Row: Zach Wilson, Dylan Hawkins, Philip Anderson, Blaine Johnston, Tristan Petty, Adam Hall, Dylan Corbett, Conner Varnum, and River Mitchem.

Submitted by Kalli McMillan

Second grade students at WDE embarked on an adventure of a lifetime aboard the Buccaneer Pirate Cruise located at HarborWalk Village in Destin. The tour interactively entertained students with sword fights, water gun battles, storytelling, singing, dancing, and treasure hunts.

Submitted by Jessica Dawkins

Mrs. Shelby Child's class

Mrs. Emily Dickey and Mrs. Lela Peyton’s class

The Curriculum and Instruction Department of Walton County School District is working diligently to support schools throughout our district as they rally to provide relief to victims of Hurricane Michael.

Supervisor, Kay Dailey, Student Services Director, Randy Stafford, and Coordinators Kim Stafford, Myca Chandler, Cathy Hall, Crystal Appel, Donna Honish, Keitha Bledsoe and their teams are joining efforts at our schools by participating in the special projects such as "Stuff the Bus", "Stack the Stage", "Pennies for the Panhandle", "Dollar for Hearts", and many other projects. They are also providing supplies, monetary donations, and assisting in delivery of items to area distribution stations to help those in need.

We are making sure that each school has the forms and documents needed to accommodate increased enrollment resulting from the devastation caused by Hurricane Michael, to include school residency forms. Once forms are submitted and students have been identify as displaced, efforts are made through the Curriculum and Instruction department to provide assistance with breakfast and lunch, clothing, school supplies, and connection with agencies that can provide additional support in areas of housing and feeding outside of the school environment.

Dr. Randy Stafford indicated that our guidance departments are currently undergoing special training called Youth - Mental Health First Aid designed to help recognize indicators of stress, anxiety, depression, and other symptoms that may develop and/or increase due to the effects of displacement and relocation. Dr. Stafford and his team are assessing need and have begun to formulate ideas on how to provide additional services to students and families who have been victims of the hurricane.

Youth - Mental Health First Aid workshop. Front Row: far left, Dr. Randy Stafford. Front Rpw: far right, School Safety Specialist, Charlie Morse.

Walton County Teacher of the Year, Joan Kennett, has been collaborating with teachers throughout the district as part of a special program initiated by Superintendent Hughes that allows the TOY to serve as a resource person, working directly with colleagues to inspire innovative instruction, and improve student engagement.

Each week she visits different schools, sharing, collaborating, and participating in professional learning communities (PLC's). She will share pictures and descriptions of the experiences she encounters along her journey as Walton County TOY.

Ms. Kennett has spent some time recently at Walton Middle School with teachers Pam Rushing, Jackie Clemmons and Saundra Thorson, brainstorming and promoting science education.

Pictured: Pam Rushing and Joan Kennett

Left to Right - Pam Rushing, Joan Kennett, Jackie Clemmons, Saundra Thorson

The FMS Art Department displays their printmaking skills. First students create a printing plate by carving into foam, then they ink the plate, press the plate on paper, and finally pull their print. Way to go FMS artists! submitted by Kendra Peloquin

Students at PHS loaded a school bus full of supplies for victims of Hurricane Michael, this past week. On Saturday, members of the PHS faculty and staff headed to Sneads in order to deliver supplies to the members of the community. The people of Sneads were so grateful for the supplies. Members of the Sneads High School volleyball team helped the PHS volunteers to pass out supplies and serve 155 barbecue plates. Way to demonstrate your PRIDE, PASSION, and PURPOSE in EPIC proportions. Submitted by Kalli McMillan

Senior Empowerment Day - EPIC2!

October 24, 2018

National School Bus Safety Week!

October 24, 2018

Maude Saunders Elementary Wears Orange for Unity Day!

October 24, 2018

Recognizing School Bus Safety Week at MSE!

October 24, 2018

PHS National Honor Society Inducts Newest Members

October 23, 2018

WDE Pirate Cruise

October 23, 2018

WCSD Curriculum and Instruction Department Working to Assist Storm Victim Families!

October 22, 2018

Walton County Teacher of the Year, Joan Kennett - The Journey!

October 22, 2018

Freeport Middle School Art Department Explores Printmaking!

October 22, 2018

PHS' "Stuff the Bus" Heads to Sneads

October 22, 2018