At a recent science club meeting, members created geode ornaments to take home to hang on their trees or give as gifts.  Students used a combination of glitter glass, acrylic paints, epoxy resin, hardener, and spray adhesive to adorn their plastic ornaments.  What a fun way to use science to spread holiday cheer!

Congratulations to Walton Middle School art student Bethany Waites for having her artwork selected as the Walton County representative in the Art in the Capitol Competition. Bethany's artwork will be displayed in the Florida Capitol in Tallahassee during the 2021 Legislative Session.

In July of 2016, the Florida Legislature passed and Governor Rick Scott signed House Bill 701 establishing the Art in the Capitol Competition, a statewide visual arts competition for Florida students in grades 6 through 8. Each school district is required to hold an annual art competition with artwork judged by a selection committee consisting of art teachers. The winning art from each district is then displayed in the Capitol.

On Wednesday, December 16, 2020, Principal Jason Campbell and Deputy Superintendent Dr. Hawthorne congratulated Bethany and her art teacher, Brittany Grant, for this achievement.

This is the third consecutive year that the Art in the Capitol Competition winner from Walton County School District has been a student at Walton Middle School, with art teacher Brittany Grant.  

The WISE Pre-K gave a holiday treat from their families. Students sang carols to family and friends. Each class was given time to spotlight their students. The concert was outside with social distancing procedures in effect. Lastly, as principal of the WISE Pre-K, I would like to give a heartfelt thank you to our incredible staff: Faith Anderson, Cindy Bolden, Tyana Kendall, Amy Morse, Sheila Hudson, Justina Pickard, Shannon Mosley, Kimi Parker, Amanda Montgomery, Ashlee Willcox, Debbie McBroom, Jennifer Casey and Michelle Jackson. I am grateful each day for your efforts, you attention to each student and your unyielding compassion.

300 school board members, superintendents, and education leaders attended the 75^th FSBA/FADSS Annual Joint Conference for three days of leadership development training and networking. This was the first Annual Joint Conference to be held virtually. This conference was a joint planning effort of the Florida School Boards Association (FSBA) and Florida Association of District School Superintendents (FADSS), as well as the Florida Education Legislative Liaisons (FELL), Florida Education Risk Management Association (FERMA), Florida School Boards Attorney Association (FSBAA) and the Sunshine State School Public Relations Association (SUNSPRA) focused on public education as an economic driver. 

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 4, 2020

CONTACT:
Superintendent A. Russell Hughes

FSBA/FADSS Meet Virtually to Learn, Lead Together

300 school board members, superintendents, and education leaders attended the 75^th FSBA/FADSS Annual Joint Conference for three days of leadership development training and networking. This was the first Annual Joint Conference to be held virtually. This conference was a joint planning effort of the Florida School Boards Association (FSBA) and Florida Association of District School Superintendents (FADSS), as well as the Florida Education Legislative Liaisons (FELL), Florida Education Risk Management Association (FERMA), Florida School Boards Attorney Association (FSBAA) and the Sunshine State School Public Relations Association (SUNSPRA) focused on public education as an economic driver.

Speakers included David Horsager, CEO of Trust Edge Leadership Institute, Dr. Desmond Blackburn, CEO of New Teacher Center, David Weber, an internationally recognized speaker, author, and trainer, and Logan Weber, co-creator of the renowned “My Inbox is Full and I Can’t Get Out”.

FSBA recognized 13 school board members for achieving the distinguished Certified Board Member status, and FADSS honored the Superintendent of the Year. The Consortium of Florida Education Foundations presented a School Board Star Award and Superintendent Star Award. The Sunshine State School Public Relations Association presented the Outstanding Superintendent Communicator Award and Margie Davidson Leading Light Award. Excellent workshop facilitators covered thought-provoking content covering a variety of topics.

“Since our December 2019 Annual Joint Conference, external factors beyond our control have required the world, including the educational community, to transition and transform. It was vital that superintendents, school board members, and other education professionals from across the state were able to gather and network-virtually-to receive information and inspiration. Our members will return to their school districts more equipped and encouraged to fulfill their role in and commitment to ensuring that all students are provided with a learning environment leading to success,” commented FSBA Executive Director Andrea Messina.

“During the last 10 months, board members, educational staff, and superintendents have experienced an increase in demands and responsibilities leading to expedient plan development, implementation, and evaluation. It was important for these educational leaders to come together and receive training in the best practices for public education leadership, while sharing goals, challenges, and successes. FSBA members will exhibit a renewed commitment to student success because they are stronger, wiser and better,” commented FSBA President Jane Goodwin (Sarasota).

Locally, Superintendent A. Russell Hughes attended the conference virtually along with the Walton County School Board, which included two new board members, Mrs. Tammy Smith and Mrs. Jeri Michie.  Board member Kim Kirby added, “FSBA did an amazing job in helping participants in the virtual conference feel connected and engaged.  There were many great keynote speakers and breakout sessions, but I especially enjoyed a break-out session entitled ‘Investing in Students & Building Future Ready Workforce Pipelines’. This session focused on paid internships for students which provides them with an opportunity to ‘try on’ a career through work-based learning, while building social capital networks, that helps to lead students to high skill and high wage jobs that our supported by our regional workforce.”  Superintendent Hughes also found the joint conference beneficial saying he always appreciates time to learn from other districts, especially in relation to challenges and opportunities. 

The mission of FSBA is to increase student achievement through the development of effective school board leadership and advocacy for public education.

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Award Recipients

2020 FADSS Superintendent of the Year

·         Dr. Diana Greene (Duval)

2020 FSBA Certified Board Members:

·         Melissa Byrd (Orange County School District)

·         Karen Castor-Dentel (Orange County School District)

·         Victoria Defenthaler (Martin County School District)

·         Sarah Fortney (Polk County School District)

·         Sandra Gilyard Putnam County School District)

·         Lori Hershey (Duval County School District)

·         Ruby Knox (Gulf County School District)

·         Leanetta McNealy (Alachua County School District)

·         Linda Prescott (Hernando County School District)

·         Gloria Reese (Glades County School District)

·         Cara Reynolds (Charlotte County School District)

·         Nancy Thrower (Marion County School District)

·         Sue Woltanski (Monroe County School District)

2020 CFEF School Board Star Award:

·         Mary Bolla (Clay County School District)

2020 CFEF School Board Superintendent Star Award:

·         Cynthia Saunders (Manatee County School District)

2020 SUNSPRA Outstanding Superintendent Communicator Award:

·         Dr. Debra Pace (Osceola County School District)

2020 SUNSPRA Margie Davidson Leading Light Award:

·         Megan Magamoll, Take Stock in Children Program Coordinator (Marion County School District)