District News

On Saturday, February 24, 2018, over 100 Walton County teachers, administrators, and district personnel gathered at the Sandestin Hilton Conference Center for the ECET2 (Elevating and Celebrating Effective Teachers and Teaching) Conference hosted by the WCSD Curriculum and Instruction Department. Participants experienced guest speakers, colleague circles, and breakout sessions focused on closing the achievement gap and building teacher leadership. It was an E.P.I.C. day filled with collaboration, growth and celebration! Additional photos may be found on Twitter #wcsdecet22018 Submitted by Kristy Grey.

ECET2

Elevating and Celebrating Effective Teachers and Teaching

Team Pictured as follows: (Back Row - L to R) - Laurie Gilbert (Assistant Coach), Samantha Martin (Assistant Coach), Sadie Varnum, Caylor Dixon, Ashlyn Hall, Kenna Jordan, Michaela Cain, Andrew Norris (Head Coach), and Kim Corbett (Assistant Coach). (Middle Row - L to R) - Hydie Varnum (Manager), Clara Martin (Manager), Mya Young, Genesis Long, Maddie Varnum, Megan Davis, and Kaley Norris (Manager). (Front Row - L to R) - Hailee Bryan, Jordyn Bradley, Camryn Brazile, Cassie Varnum, Cadence Perez, and Paiyton Perry.

After their victory over Holmes County, the Ladycats headed to Lakeland, FL for the FHSAA State Championship. The girls were sent off by a crowd of fans on Saturday, some of which would be following along on the trip. On Monday, Paxton students crowded into classrooms, the auditorium, and cafeteria to watch the girls play against the Port St. Joe Sharks. Paxton fans watched as the Ladycats put forth an EPIC and valiant effort against their opposing team. Although the Ladycats did not take the win, all Paxton fans are proud of their strength and determination. It was an honor for us all to see them work so hard to make it so far. Congratulations, Coach Norris and the Ladycats, for making it to the Final Four. Your Paxton family is waiting to greet you with open arms. We commend you for never giving up and exemplifying PRIDE, PASSION, and PURPOSE throughout your season. To the senior Ladycats, thank you for giving your all throughout your basketball career. We will miss you. Way to go, Ladycats! Submitted by Kalli McMillan.

PHS Ladycats

Maude Saunders students donated their spare change to the district-wide “Change for Children” campaign, which benefits Children in Crisis. The TOTS challenged students to bring in spare change and rewarded the class with the most with a Pizza Party. In addition, the class that brought in the most quarters made their teacher the “Quarter Queen”. This year’s Quarter Queen was Ms. Lindsey Miller, and her third graders enjoyed treating her like a queen for the entire day. Submitted by Krisy Spence.

We are super excited to announce that Walton High School's softball team was recently awarded a $10,000 grant from the St. Joe Community Foundation! The team will use the funds to purchase much-needed equipment to help improve the softball facilities. Grant funds will also be utilized to help fund the addition of a JV softball program in the 2018-2019 school year.

Accepting the donation are WHS Principal Janet Currid; Assistant Principal Chris Brown; Head Coach Shelby Truett; Assistant Coach Ron Earley; and Walton High's softball players. The Executive Director of the St. Joe Community Foundation, Janet Piepul, presented the check.

We want to extend our most sincere "THANK YOU" to St. Joe for their gracious support! Submitted by Christy English.

On Thursday, February 22, Walton Middle School hosted “Hearts for the Arts,” which proved itself to be yet another successful Title 1 Parent Training Night. After having dinner, parents and students had the opportunity to learn about art and literacy together. In one station, participants went on a “HeART Walk” scavenger hunt, searching for elements of art in WMS’ student art gallery. In yet another activity, students and parents sampled literary delicacies (books eligible for the Dave and Buster’s Reading Challenge), served by apron-clad teacher waitresses in the Warrior Cafe. And finally, guests had the opportunity to learn how WMS’ own published student author, McCaid Paul, “turned thoughts into words.” WMS thanks its parents, students, teachers, and staff for their commitment to instilling a love of the arts and literacy. Submitted by Kristen Nelson.

WMS Parent Training

Submitted by Nancy Currie.

Over 250 parents and students attended the night and enjoyed science stations and a mobile planetarium provided by the Emerald Coast Science Center. Parents could also visit and shop at the school Book Fair!

Submitted by Nancy Currie

Tina Pinkoson, Director of Leadership Service for FSBA, presented the Walton County School Board and the Superintendent a plaque recognizing them for their successful completion of the Master Board Training. The Board and Superintendent Hughes took 22 hours of training together designed to help them learn how to communicate effectively, to learn each others strengths and values so that when they make decisions they understand how those decisions are developed. The training emphasizes how to work together effectively as a team so they can positively impact student achievement in Walton County.

(from left to right) School Board Member Jason Catalano, School Board Chairperson Kim Kirby, School Board Member Bill Eddins, School Board Member Marsha Winegarner, Superintendent A. Russell Hughes

In addition, Mrs. Kirby, School Board Chairman, has participated in a Professional Development Program at the Florida School Board’s Association, completing 96 hours of voluntary training, and was recognized by Ms. Pinkoson as a Certified Board Member (CBM) with a special plaque. WCSD appreciates the dedication and committment exhibited by Mrs. Kirby in her willingness to volunteer her time for this training!

Tina Pinkoson(left), Director of Leadership Services for FSBA, and School Board Member Gail Smith (right).

Submitted by Laura Smith

Third grade students at Mossy Head School created their very own junkyard wonders, inspired by Patricia Polacco’s book, The Junkyard Wonders. Students were challenged to use recycled materials, such as toilet paper rolls, bubble wrap, pipe cleaners, and leftover sheets of paper, to create a new purpose for the recycled“junk.” This activity provided students with a hands-on opportunity to understand the central message from the book: Every thing and every person has the potential to be something wonderful for those who choose to look! Submitted by Allie Lee Blanton.

MHS Junkyard

The Tivoli Historical Society held its Annual Black History Parade in Defuniak Springs on Saturday, February 17, 2018. This year's parade included the Walton County School District's EPIC Van, and was one of multiple activities held to celebrate February as Black History Month. The parade route ended in food, fun, and fellowship at the Tivoli Complex, formerly Tivoli High School - Home of the Tivoli Tigers.

Tivoli High School, currently the home of the Walton County School District Administrative offices, wasn’t the first black school in Walton County, but it was the first high school.

According to documentation by the Tivoli Historical Society, the Tivoli was an elementary and junior high school from 1908 until 1935. It was one of the more than 5,000 Rosenwald Schools, which were schools built in the south, predominately for the education of African American children. The program was the result of a partnership between Julius Rosenwald, president and part owner of Sears, Roebuck and Company, and African American educator, author and presidential advisor, Booker T. Washington. There were two other Rosenwald schools in the area in Argyle and Bruce Creek. The school became Tivoli High School in 1935, adding a grade level each year until 12^th grade was finally added in 1937-38. By 1958, the total enrollment for Tivoli was 424 students. The school had an active athletic program, with an award winning football team, as well as a marching band.

“Tivoli High School was the heart of the black community,” said Eddie Williamson, President of the Tivoli Historical Society, Inc. “We’ve had engineers, architects, lawyers and doctors graduate from this school…and we love to bring back our alumni so they can see all that we have accomplished.”

The Tivoli Historical Society, Inc. works tirelessly to keep the memories of life at Tivoli School alive. They have an active tutorial program for African American students in Walton County, and also have a scholarship program to provide opportunities for continued education after high school graduation. The Tivoli Historical Society has also created a museum located in the main Tivoli School building at 145 Park Street, Defuniak Springs, Fl.

Submitted by Keitha Bledsoe. Pictures courtesy of Laura Smith.