District News

CSI: Warriors Begins August 2015

July 16, 2015

WCSD is excited to offer a new after school program beginning August 2015.  The   program is FREE and will be highly engaging, hands-on and project based. The program will welcome guest presenters from our many community partners, and students will problem-solve community based issues. CSI: Warriors is available to select 6th, 7th and 8th grade students from Walton Middle School and will meet after school on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3p.m.-6p.m., Aug. 17 –May19th. Transportation will be provided with limited drop-off points. 

 

For more information or if your child is interested, please contact:

Mr. Jason Campbell, Principal WMS or Mr. Scott Hulion, Assistant Principal WMS @ 892-1280.

 

Commissioner Stewart Congratulates Leadership Academy Graduates

July 6, 2015

Commissioner of Education Pam Stewart recently recognized 147 graduates of the Commissioner’s Leadership Academy. Two of the graduates were from the Walton County School District:  Walton High School Principal Mr. Russell Hughes and Coordinator of Mathematics and Data Support Mr. Nathan Smith.  The Leadership Academy consists of a year-long rigorous professional development program for Florida principals, principal supervisors and education leaders. The job-embedded and research-based program includes five school site “learning walks” with a regional cohort to practice instructional leadership skills, focusing on increased knowledge and skills to improve teacher effectiveness and student achievement. Congratulations to Mr. Hughes and Mr. Smith for representing Walton County in a professional manner and successfully completing the program!

Pictured L to R: WHS Principal Russell Hughes, Commissioner of Education Pam Stewart, and Coordinator of Mathematics and Data Support Nathan Smith

WMS Students Meet Reading Challenge

June 10, 2015

The WMS Literacy Team challenged students to read 25 books at or above their reading level. Those who accepted the challenge had to read 10 fiction, 10 non-fiction, and 5 books of their choice. In addition, students had to  take an “AR Test” and earn  a score of 80 percent or higher on each of the books.  Thirty-five students  met the challenge and qualified to attend the "Fling at the Spring" held at Ponce de Leon Springs on Thursday, May 21st. The attending adults were: (Faculty and Staff)  Ms. Baker, Ms. Deal, Ms. Jones, Mr. Hulion, Mr. Proffitt, Deputy Lloyd, (Parent Volunteers) Rebecca King, Amy Thacker, and Renee Heironimus.

 

Pictured: Students and Staff attending the Fling at the Springs

Full Score Musical Showcase

June 10, 2015

On Friday, May 1st, Walton County schools with a band and or a chorus were provided the opportunity to showcase their musical talents at the Full Score concert held at the Walton High School auditorium.  City Councilman Ron Kelley emceed the event. Performances ranged from solos and large groups to bands and ensembles. The schools involved were West DeFuniak Elementary, Maude Saunders Elementary, Freeport Elementary, Van R. Butler Elementary, Walton High School, Walton Middle School, Paxton High School, South Walton High School, and Freeport High School.  Congratulations to all the teachers and performers for an excellent evening of music.

Pictured L to R:  Harry Patzig (WHS), Rebecca Austin (Butler ES), Diara Morris (WHS), Gina Ealum (WDE), Renee Riggs (SWHS), Kamber Rafferty (WMS) Angela Saltsman (FES), Cathy Drake (MSE) Also participated but not in picture:  Ashley Goodman (Paxton), Mike Miller (FHS)

WMS Students Get Certified

June 10, 2015

Mrs. Laurie Cook, the Digital Literacy teacher at Walton Middle School, is very excited to congratulate her 8th grade students who earned their GS4 industry certification.  To become certified in GS4, you must take and pass three different exams: Computing Fundamentals, Key Applications (Microsoft Word, Power Point, Excel, Access and Outlook) and Living Online. Mrs. Cook is also to be congratulated for her hard work in preparing the students for the certification exams.

Pictured L to R Back row Sakara Runge, Branna East, Celeste Truett, Hannah Machado, Christina Howell.

L to R Bottom row Nathan Moore, Jace Hughes, Criffon Murphy,Matthew Milby, Joshua Permenter, Bladen Ward

Walton’s Cowie receives $84,000 scholarship

June 8, 2015

Photo of Ewan Cowie accepting scholarship

Evan Cowie, a sophomore at Walton High School, was awarded a four-year scholarship by Florida Institute of Technology at the 60th State Science and Engineering Fair of Florida.  The scholarship, valued at $84,000, provides $21,000 per year for four years of study contingent upon admission and full-time enrollment.  F.I.T. awards one scholarship per category at the SSEFF.  Evan was selected by F.I.T. interviewers from the applicants in the Senior Chemistry division.  He was representing the East Panhandle Region, Walton County School District, and Walton High School.  His chemistry teacher is Ms. Elizabeth Yates and his STEMM mentor is Ms. Tammy King, both of Walton High School.   Dr. Michael Lindsay, Technical Advisor, AFRL, Eglin AFB and East Panhandle Region volunteer, assisted Cowie with interview preparations.

Sinfonia "Linked Up" with Okaloosa & Walton County 3rd-5th Graders

June 3, 2015

MIRAMAR BEACH, Fla. (May, 6 2015) - More than 2,200 Okaloosa and Walton County 3rd-5th graders filled Destiny Worship Center to capacity during two performances on Thursday, April 30 for Sinfonia Gulf Coast's annual Link Up performances, in partnership with Carnegie Hall's Weill Music Institute (WMI).

 As one of 70 orchestras worldwide invited to participate in WMI's Link Up program during the 2014-2015 season, Sinfonia Education & Link Up coordinator Liz Aylor worked with teachers in both districts during the 9-month curriculum, which culminated in students' live performance on voice, recorders and instruments with Sinfonia Gulf Coast. The performance included stunning visuals for the students to follow and perform along with the orchestra, on-stage teacher soloists, and host and vocal/piano pedagogue Ms. Phyllis Hasty.

3rd and 5th graders

Emerald Coast Woodturning Guild Visits FMS

June 1, 2015

Freeport Middle School is always  pleased to have the Emerald Coast Woodturning Guild visit. A special thanks to these great gentelmen, Earnest Nettles, Harry Wheeler, Bill Cunningham, and Bill Nall (pictured from left to right). The Emerald Coast Woodturning Guild meets at the Freeport Community Center every second Saturday of the month from 9am-noon. 

Job Fair Results in 200 Resumes

May 26, 2015

Recently, District and School-based Administrators attended the first Teacher Job Fair sponsored by the Panhandle Area Educational Consortium in Quincy, Florida. As a result of the collaboration between PAEC, the Teacher-to-Teacher Network, and the School District, over 200 resumes were submitted to Walton County related to critical shortage teaching areas such as math, science, foreign languages, and ESE. Participating in the recruitment effort was Sonya Alford, Human Resource Director; Tammy Smith, Elementary Principal; Jason Campbell, Middle School Principal; and Russell Hughes, High School Principal.
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