District News

Kindergarten students have been busy reading this year. The kindergarten students at West DeFuniak Elementary set a goal of earning 15 Accelerated Reader points for the school year. That is a least 30 books for each child. When students earn their goal they are presented an AR shirt on the school Morning Show. We are so proud of the effort that everyone in Mrs. Donna Timmons’ class has put forth this year. All 19 students have accomplished and passed their goal. Several of the students have met their classroom goal of 30 and are working towards 45. Submitted by Jessiva Dawkins.

Mrs. Kathy Russ' students at Walton Middle School created an edible carrot patch in their Life Skills class to celebrate spring! Submitted by Kristen Rhodes.

Over 390 Walton County School District 3^rd and 4^th graders joined students from Okaloosa County for the Sinfonia Gulf Coast “Carnegie Link Up” performance on Wednesday, April 12, 2017 at the Emerald Coast Conference Center! Students from Maude Saunders Elementary and Freeport Elementary sang, danced, and played recorders along with Sinfonia Gulf Coast Orchestra following a yearlong curriculum through the Carnegie Hall’s Weill Music Institute (WMI). They have been practicing and learning the music since September! Over 2500 students from Walton and Okaloosa Counties participated in the interactive orchestra concert with Maestro Demetrius Fuller and Sinfonia Gulf Coast as they learned how “The Orchestra Sings!” The performance included stunning visuals for the students to follow and perform along with the orchestra, as well as on-stage direction and entertainment by some of the district’s teachers.

Special thanks to Sinfonia Gulf Coast and their sponsor, St. Joe Community Foundation, for providing this unique opportunity for the students of Walton County School District!

Submitted by Keitha Bledsoe.

Musicians

100% of Mrs. Jessica Dawkins’ WDE second grade students have earned their Accelerated Reader shirt! The school wide second grade goal is 50 points per student, which is approximately 100 books. Students must also maintain an 80% or higher average. This year nine students have exceeded the goal and earned over 100 points, which is about 200 books per student! All students have an A or B average. The class has passed a total of 3,769 tests. We are very proud of our students’ hard work! Submitted by Jessica Dawkins.

Forty–one fourth and fifth grade student leaders from Maude Saunders Elementary took a field trip to Walton High School to learn about the leadership opportunities they will have when they become Braves. Mr. Brown and Mr. Smith gave the students a school tour, and representatives from various clubs and organizations talked to the students about the many ways they can become involved in extra-curricular activities in high school. The highlight of the trip was a special Drone demonstration by the Embry Riddle Aerospace Program, and the opportunity to pose for this aerial photo of the group! Submitted by Krisy Spence.

First grade students have enjoyed having WHS students visit regularly throughout the second semester of this school year. WHS students in an Early Childhood Development course have been given the opportunity to visit and work with students in grades K-2. During these visits, they have read with students & interacted with them in the elementary setting, including during recess. Submitted by Jessica Dawkins.

WHS at WDE

On Friday, April 14^th, West DeFuniak Elementary kindergarten classes had an Easter egg hunt. Parents volunteered to come hide the eggs for each class, then all of the kindergarten classes took turns going out to the playground to search for the eggs. All of the eggs had candy inside, so students really enjoyed trying to find the eggs. Submitted by Jessica Dawkins.

Kindergarten students made birdfeeders for Earth Day. The birdfeeders are made from ice cream cones, bread, peanut butter and bird seeds- completely consumable. Submitted by Jessica Dawkins.

WDE Earth Day

First grade at WDE recently went on a field trip to Gulfarium in Ft. Walton Beach, FL. The students had a great time learning about different ocean animals! During our visit, students were able to watch a dolphin show and a sea lion show. They were also able to learn interesting facts at animal chats, led by the trainers. These sessions were mini-lessons that taught students about the animals’ feedings, environments and lifestyles. After spending the morning at the Gulfarium, lunch took place at a nearby state park and students enjoyed the beach view. It was a great time for all of the kids!

Pictured below is first grade student, Ava Shoaf, who had the privilege of meeting a Gulfarium dolphin trainer while on a field trip! Ava is holding a book that her class published about what they want to be when they grow up. She wrote about being a dolphin rider. Submitted by Jessica Dawkins.

WDE Gulfarium

Second graders at West DeFuniak Elementary school took a field trip to the Rocking B-A-B Ranch on April 14, 2017. Students were able to learn interesting facts about both common farm animals and exotic animals at the ranch. The students really enjoyed being able to pet the young animals and were excited about being able to play and eat their lunch in the “Big Barn” the ranch has on site. Submitted by Jessica Dawkins.

WDE Ranch