Jared Heady, 8th grade student at Walton Middle School, won a special award at the 62nd Annual State Science and Engineering Fair on March 28-30, 2017 in Lakeland, Florida. Jared won the Pasco Regional Science and Engineering Fair Special Award for Earth and Environmental Sciences. Project Title: "Invasive Plants vs. Oil Spills.” In December, Jared won 1st place in the Junior Environmental Category at the Walton County School District Science Fair and he also placed in the Regional Science and Engineering Fair in February. Congratulations! Submitted by Crystal Appel.
VRB Participates in Every Kid Healthy Week
May 1, 2017
Van R Butler Elementary School participated in "Every Kid Healthy Week" April 24-28, by doing Zumba during physical education classes! Submitted by Chelsey Jewell/Tammy Smith.
WCSD Academic Team Wins State Championship!
April 29, 2017
The Walton County Academic Team has won the State Championship in Division 3 of the 32nd Commissioner’s Academic Challenge in Orlando, Florida with 188 points!
In the final competition Saturday morning, April 29, team Members Sean Brown, Malcolm Griffith, Jordan Nichols, Evan Cowie, Kier Teves,and Griffon Murphy were behind 1 point after the 5 point round, and behind 3 points after the 15 point round. They played smart and conservatively and made their way back up with the lead, which they maintained throughout the rest of the competition. As a team, they scored more points than any other team in the final competition on the Team Bonuses.
Two of the WCSD Academic Team coaches that traveled to the event with them, Coach Carla Griffith and Coach Glen Harrison, said it was amazing to see how well they worked together and functioned as a team! Special thanks to ALL the Academic Team coaches throughout the District who have worked with these students, some as early as 6th grade, to help prepare them for this exciting moment!
Additional congratulations goes to Evan Cowie, Walton High School, for being selected for the Team Florida Academic Team! He will go on to compete in the National Academic Team competition! This is a great honor, and we know Evan will represent WCSD and the state of Florida well in this event!
Academic Team with Florida Commissioner of Education Pam Stewart
Walton County Academic Team Advances to Final State Championship Competition!
Sheriff Adkinson Presents Donation of Support for the Criminal Operations Program at FHS
April 28, 2017
Sheriff Michael Adkinson presented a check for $20,000 to Superintendent Hughes and Board Member Kim Kirby at the School Board meeting on April 18th. This donation is to support the Criminal Operations program at Freeport High School. This program will provide training to high school students in the areas of 911 Telecommunications and Crime Scene Investigations. Sheriff Adkinson spoke a few words about how he loved being able to support his community and turn bad money into good as the donation came from drug money that was seized by the Sheriff's department. Mr. Hughes thanked Sheriff Adkinson for his generous donation and said that he looked forward to continuing their work together through the Children's Advocacy Center. Photo provided by DeFuniak Herald Beach Breeze. Submitted by Donna Honish.
WDE Students Have Enjoyed Celebrating Earth Day This Week
April 27, 2017
WDE students have enjoyed celebrating Earth Day this week! Students learned about taking care of the earth and how to reduce, reuse, and recycle! Several Kindergarten classes created a consumable bird feeder using peanut butter, ice cream cones, and bird seed. Students in first grade created useful items out of recycled materials. One student created a purse out of drink pouches! Second grade students worked in their class garden and wrote about ways to keep the earth healthy and clean. Finally, many art classes created detailed drawings of sea animals in honor of Earth Day. Submitted by Jessica Dawkins.
Teen Trendsetter Program with VRB and SWHS
April 27, 2017
The Teen Trendsetters program, sponsored by The Barbara Bush Foundation and funded in part through a grant from the St. Joe Foundation was a huge success for the 2016-2017 school year. Selected Van R. Butler Elementary second grade students were paired with a mentor / tutor student from South Walton High School. Each pair met once a week throughout the school year. An overall gain in student reading Lexile levels of 10,315 points was achieved! The Elementary and High School participants enjoyed an end of the year celebration of the program's success on Wednesday, April 26th.
Pictured below: Dr. Alexis Tibbetts, Principal of South Walton High School; Shelly Hinojosa, SWHS Leadership Class Instructor; Kelly Layman, Barbara Bush Foundation; Janet Greeno, St. Joe Foundation; Carrie Chavers, Walton School District Literacy Coach; and Tammy Smith, Principal of Van R. Butler Elementary School.
VRB Office Staff Appreciation
April 27, 2017
Teacher and Staff Appreciation week is May 1-5, 2017. Kindergartners in Mrs. Varner's class at Butler Elementary School recognized the school's front office staff with a huge banner they created for Office Staff Appreciation Day. "Without You This Place Would be A Zoo!" Submitted by Tammy Smith.
WISE Center Pre-K Students Visit Gulf World
April 26, 2017
Submitted by Debbie McBroom.
1st Graders at MHS Encourage Students Taking FSA
April 24, 2017
First graders create a motivational poster for 3-5 graders taking FSA. They drew bees and colored the message, "We "bee"lieve in you!," to encourage those students to do their best on FSA. Submitted by Elizabeth Gaither.