Advanced Placement teachers from WCSD gave up vacation time and gathered at Freeport High School on July 13 for a Boot Camp planning session! They spent the morning reviewing data from the last five years, and creating AP plans for their individual school sites. These dedicated instructors explored strengths and weaknesses by comparing progress across the district, and developed strategies for improving student success in AP courses.
Submitted by Keitha Bledsoe
Superintendent Hughes Addresses Community Members at the Chamber's First Friday Breakfast
July 10, 2017
Superintendent A. Russell Hughes gave Chamber of Commerce members and attendees of the First Friday Breakfast on July 7, 2017, his State of Education Address for Walton County. This included his vision of the Walton County Way which is being EPIC by providing Excellence in education, being Professional, Innovative and Collaborative within our schools and the community as a whole. Submitted by Kelley Stephenson/Donna Honish.
FES Students Attend Camp GonnaWannaBeHere
July 10, 2017
Submitted by Nancy Currie.
Paxton High School sends out a huge thank you to The St. Joe Community Foundation for their donation of $20,000 to support the school's aerospace program! Pictured, from left, is PHS Principal Cindy Neale, Aerospace Instructor Heather Stewart, and St. Joe Community Foundation Executive Director Janet Greeno.
Submitted by Heather Stewart
ECMS Wins 3rd Place in Jr. Beta Club Quiz Bowl!
July 5, 2017
Congratulations to the ECMS Jr. Beta Club Quiz Bowl Team for their 3rd place finish in the Quiz Bowl at the National Jr. Beta Club Convention!!! The ECMS Quiz Bowl Team not only made it to the oral rounds from a field of 25 teams at the national level but won the quarterfinal as well. Unfortunately, they fell in a tight race for first. They won the consolation round and received the bronze medal in the national competition!!! Quiz Bowl Team Members are Eric Plunk, Luke Messer, Sophia Bock and Lily Jamison. Also pictured is Lily Gibson who qualified at State to enter her acrylic artwork in the competition at the National Convention, and it showed well! We are extremely proud of our ECMS Jr. Beta Club Members!!!
Submitted by Candy Bodie
Students from across Walton County School District participated in the Unmanned Aerial Systems STEM Challenge this summer sponsored by Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Participants learned to code utilizing terrestrial robots, pilot mini aerial systems to carry out real-world style missions, and even pilot larger aerial systems through an obstacle course. The three-day challenge accentuated skill acquisition and an introduction to unmanned aerial systems careers, plus was infused with an emphasis on teamwork and communication skills as students worked with their counterparts from Holmes County School District. The challenge was coordinated by Panhandle Area Educational Consortium.
Submitted by Heather Stewart
Superintendent Russell Hughes with some exciting information and encouragement for continued summer learning in the July 2017 Monthly Update!
submitted by Keitha Bledsoe
WDE Summer Bridge Egg Drop Challenge!
June 29, 2017
Students attending the Summer Bridge Program at West Defuniak Elementary have been having a great time participating in STEM Projects this summer. For their last challenge, students got to participate in the egg drop challenge. They had to create a container that would protect their egg from breaking when dropped. All of these students were successful!
Submitted by Darlene Paul
18 students in the Practical Nursing program at Emerald Coast Technical College graduated and were honored at a Pinning Ceremony last night at Walton High School! This program is designed to prepare students for employment as Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN's). The content includes, but is not limited to, theoretical instruction and clinical experience in acute care, long term care and community settings; theoretical instruction and clinical application of vocational role and function; personal, family, and community health concepts; nutrition; human growth and development over the life span; body structure and function; interpersonal relationship skills, mental health concepts; pharmacology and administration of medications; legal aspects of practice; and current issues in nursing.
These students worked hard for their certification, and the WCSD is extremely proud of them, and of this outstanding program! Congratulations to all!
Submitted by Charlie Morse
Cover photo sent by Trecia Meadows
Pictured: Charlie Morse, ECTC Principal; Bill Eddins, School Board Member; Marsha Winegarner, School Board Member; Dr. Jennifer Hawthorne, Specialist of School Leadership and Development, WCSD.