Hagen Brown signed With Jeff Davis CC in Brewton, AL

Bailey Miller and Ethan McFerrin signed with Bishop State in Mobile, AL

Submitted by Patty Woodard.

On April 7^th, West DeFuniak Elementary School’s kindergarteners went on a field trip to the Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge Zoological Park. Students are learning about living and non-living things in the classroom. This field trip allowed students were to observe, compare, and contrast different types of plants and animals. Students saw many different types of animals, such as llamas, lemurs, wolves, peacocks, and even a lion! There was a petting area where students could feed and pet goats. After all the excitement of seeing all of the animals, kindergarteners enjoyed eating lunch in the zoo’s picnic area. Students really enjoyed the zoo and want to go back! Submitted by Jessica Dawkins.

On Friday, April 7, FMS AVID students created and implemented an event called “Donuts for Donations” to support Child Abuse Prevention Month for the Children’s Advocacy Center.  It was held in the FMS parking lot for the community to drop off donations for children in need and receive a donut for their generosity-donated by The Donut Hole and Dunkin Donuts. FMS students received over a truckload of items from the CAC’s wish list including diapers, personal care items, clothing, art supplies, snacks and drinks in addition to cash donations.  Brenda Farris, 6^th grade AVID teacher, said,” Seeing my students help their community in such a caring way brought tears to my eyes.  I loved how the kids brought so much fun to the event.”   “Seeing these young adults work with their community to contribute to such a worthy cause was a heart lifting experience,” said Kendra Peloquin, 7^th and 8^th grade AVID teacher. Submitted by Kendra Peloquin.

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.