WDE is "BUZZING with Excitement." Recently, Mrs. Katie Adams, a 4th grade teacher at WDE, received a grant for a bee hive from The Bee Cause. This project has provided hives for 220 schools in 46 states and 4 countries. Through this exciting project students will have the opportunity to learn about the natural world in a unique way and will be challenged by STEM activities. We are grateful to NoWal Farms of DeFuniak Springs for providing the bees. We welcome students and parents to stop by the media center to see what's buzzing. Books, posters, and interesting facts are ready to help answer your questions. Find out more information about The Bee Cause at www.thebeecause.org. Submitted by Jessica Dawkins.

The 6^th Annual Rosemary Beach Foundation - Music in Pictures arts in education initiative and juried art contest celebrates the music of five diverse composers: Leo Delibes, Igor Stravinsky, Astor Piazzolla, Aaron Copland and Phillip Glass.  Over 4,000 students from 17 Walton County Schools* listened to and visually interpreted classical music.  Their artwork was entered into a juried competition for public exhibition. This year, 403 paintings are on display from March 13 – April 22, 2017 at 3 locations: Amavida Coffee & Tea (Rosemary Beach®), The South Walton County Coastal Branch Library (Santa Rosa Beach) and Sacred Heart Hospital on the Emerald Coast (Miramar Beach)

Created in collaboration with professional musicians and Florida State University Faculty, Music in Pictures also includes classical performances, classroom presentations, and professional development workshops for teachers. 

The Music in Pictures Awards Ceremony will be held Sunday, April 30, 2017, at 2 pm.  Festivities will include student artwork slideshow, and awards presentation.

 Submitted by Keitha Bledsoe.

The Freeport Bulldogs football team visited the Ronald McDonald House in Pensacola recently. They did chores, fed the staff and guests, and enjoyed some great conversations with guests. It is a top priority of the FHS football team to be involved in community service and directly helps those in need. Anyone who has any community service ideas or needs, please contact Head Football Coach Shaun Arntz at [email protected]

Submitted by Patty Woodard.

Superintendent Hughes, School board member Marsha Winegarner, and members of the WCSD District Office staff donned their blue attire and ribbons to join students, administrators, faculty and staff in schools all throughout Walton County today in recognition of Child Abuse Prevention Month.  Mr. Hughes, Mrs. Winegarner, and the staff at the Tivoli complex visited the Emerald Coast Children’s Advocacy Center in Defuniak Springs for a Child Abuse Prevention Proclamation ceremony as a demonstration of support and unity in the fight against Child Abuse. They returned to the Tivoli Complex to participate in a meaningful Pinwheel Garden Planting Ceremony with guest Julie Hurst (Chief Executive Officer) and staff members from the ECCAC.   

The color blue has served as a reminder to end child abuse since 1989, when one grandmother made a personal commitment to wear a blue ribbon after her own grandson died as a result of abuse.  The pinwheel is an uplifting symbol of childhood, and a reflection of hope, health and safety…something we wish for ALL children.  Throughout the month of April, students and teachers across the district will be participating in activities that focus on awareness, and administration and staff will be involved in professional development activities that highlight recognition, support and prevention.  The goal of the Walton County School District is to help end child abuse through education, enlightenment, awareness, and compassion!

Submitted Keitha Bledsoe.

Pictured: Bill Fletcher, President of the ECCAC Board of Directors;  Julie Hurst, ECCAC Chief Executive Officer; Bob Campbell, Defuniak Springs Mayor; A. Russell Hughes, WCSD Superintendent; Marsha Winegarner, WCSD School Board member at the Emerald Coast Children’s Advocacy Center.