District News

W.O.W. @ WMS, Part Deux

March 14, 2016

Watching Others Work to Improve Our Personal Craft
Submitted by Kristen Rhodes, Walton Middle School

On Thursday, March 10th, teachers at Walton Middle School participated in highly engaging, peer-led professional development activities.  Sessions throughout the afternoon focused on differentiating meaningful instruction, interpreting current data, and writing classroom grants.  In addition to these informative sessions, teachers also played a game called "Brown Bag It" that allowed them to help their peers problem-solve their burning questions.  At the end of the session, teachers also nominated their coworkers for faculty Oscar awards (complete with snazzy prizes) to recognize their hard work each day on the job.  The early release afternoon was full of excitement and learning at WMS.

WMS Teachers Professional Learning WMS Teachers Professional Learning

WDE has Excellent Parent and Student Turn-out at Math/Science Night!

March 14, 2016

Submitted by Darlene Paul, West DeFuniak Elementary School

It was standing room only at West DeFuniak Elementary as students, parents, and entire families showed up for an exciting evening.  A total of 613 people signed in. Students and their families enjoyed pizza and sweet treats, hands-on science stations, hands-on math activities by grade level, an estimation station, and a photo booth.

 

 

WHS Band and Winter Guard Accomplishments

March 14, 2016

Submitted by Christy English, Walton High School

This past Friday, March 11, the WHS Band had their Concert Music Performance Assessment at Chipley High School.  The band was adjudicated by three judges for their stage performance, and by one judge for their Sight Reading performance in a separate area.  The band received STRAIGHT SUPERIOR RATINGS from all judges from this performance.


On Saturday, March 12, our Winter Guard traveled to Daphne, Alabama, to compete in their final competition before championships in April.  At our last competition the group placed 3rd and were within ONE point of first and second.  On Saturday our group kicked it into high gear and placed FIRST in their class, passing both Pace High School and Choctawhatchee with a 4-point margin between our school and second place.

WHS Winter Guard


A video clip is posted at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Jbx1qaNjRA. 

VRB Teachers Experience an Amazing Day of Learning!

March 14, 2016

Submitted by Tammy Smith, Van R. Butler Elementary School

The March 10th Early Dismissal day provided Van R. Butler Elementary teachers an opportunity to benefit from three Professional Development activities. Pictured is a session on Algebraic Thinking, led by VRB teacher Jenna Knight.  Rebecca Stuart and Beth Toombs, also Butler teachers, led their peers in Cognitively Guided Thinking, and District Literacy Coach Carrie Chavers shared Strategies for Managing Reluctant Learners and Problem Behaviors.   What an amazing day of learning!

MSE First Graders Create Robots

March 11, 2016

Submitted by Krisy Spence, Maude Saunders Elementary School

First graders created robots as part of their recent study of 3 dimensional objects. 

BES 4th Grade Science Fair Participants

March 11, 2016

Submitted by Cindy Stewart, Bay Elementary School

Pictured are just a few 4th grade students that participated in the science fair held at Bay Elementary School on March 10, 2016.

MSE Kindergartners Celebrate at Behavior Blitz

March 11, 2016

Submitted by Krisy Spence, Maude Saunders Elementary School

MSE encourages excellent behavior by rewarding well-behaved students with a behavior "blitz"! These kindergartners are celebrating under the big top!

MSE 4th Graders Share Their Best Writing Tips!

March 11, 2016

Submitted by Krisy Spence, Maude Saunders Elementary School

MSE 4th graders taught their peers how to become awesome writers by sharing their best writing tips just in time for FSA writing!

WHS/WMS Band Clinic & Masterclass

March 10, 2016

Submitted by Christy English, Walton High School

This past Saturday (March 5), the WHS band had a clinic and masterclass with guest clinicians traveling from Pensacola, Mississippi, Dothan, Cantonment, and Gainesville to work with the Walton Middle and High School bands as we prepare for our Concert Band Music Performance Assessment next week.  The groups worked with two clinicians to start the day for an hour with each, then students of like instruments (both middle and high together) worked with a professional musician/educator who plays their specific instrument (flutes worked with a flute specialist, percussion worked with a percussion specialist, etc.). 

Once the masterclasses were done, all the middle and high school students gathered in the band room to hear a special presentation from Sgt. Bradley, a percussionist from the United States Army Band.  He talked to the students about his daily routine, boot camp, musical experiences as a military musician, and performances around the world.  He also answered questions from various students.

The students all left excited, with more knowledge about music & their instruments and motivated to continue to get better.

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