WCSD Monthly Video Update March 2022
March 11, 2022
WCSD Monthly Video Update for March 2022
Walton County School District Superintendent A. Russell Hughes shares his monthly video update for March, 2022!
Mini Volcanoes at WDE!
March 8, 2022
Second Grade students at West DeFuniak Elementary in Mrs. Jamie Ellis’ class have been exploring igneous volcanic rocks and made mini volcanoes to exhibit what they have learned.
South Walton Has a State Champion Wrestler!
March 7, 2022
Congratulations to Max Brewster, 2nd wrestler in school history to win a state championship. Nick Lee also medaled, finishing 8th.
Putting Acids and Bases to the Test in 8th Grade Science
March 7, 2022
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Ms. Angela Reinke's eighth grade science students learned about acids and bases in two inquiry labs on Friday.
Acids taste sour, react with metals and carbonates, and turn blue litmus paper red. Bases taste bitter, feel slippery, and turn red litmus paper blue. Starting with lemon juice, students used medicine droppers to put drops of each substances on each colored piece of litmus paper, recording their observations. This process continued with ammonia, coke, coffee, vinegar, baking soda solution, citric acid, and a saltwater solution. After completing each test, students collaborated to classify the substances based on how they made the litmus paper change color. They then formed conclusions about other properties the substances in each group have in common.
In the second lab called "pHone Home," students examined samples to determine whether they have low or high pH. The pH scale ranges from 0 to 14, with the most acidic substances at the lower end and the most basic substances at the higher end. Students used pH indicator paper to test the pH of different substances. First, they filled plastic cups partially with water, then dropped antacid tablets in to create an additional substance. Next, they observed the same materials provided in the first lab to predict which are most acidic and most basic. Using droppers, they transferred individual samples onto fresh strips of pH paper, waiting to test the antacid until the tablet had completely dissolved. Next, they compared the color of the strip to the provided pH test scale, recording the pH of each substance on the data table. Students then listed their substances from lowest to highest, reflecting on which results surprised them.
When it comes to science, many students learn best through hands-on labs, and Mrs. Reinke gives her learners as many of these opportunities as they can. The tribe is rising with STEAM experiences like these.
COVID Update March 4, 2022
March 4, 2022
COVID Update March 4, 2022
In the spirit of transparency, the Walton County School District (WCSD) will continue to update our stakeholders with COVID-19 data for the 2021-2022 school year.
|
COVID-19 Statistics |
Single Day Data (3/3/22) |
% of total population (students and staff ~ 13,000) |
Overall Data to Date (8/10/21 – 3/3/22) |
% of total population (students and staff ~ 13,000) |
|
Positive COVID-19 Cases of School District Students and/or Employees
|
0 |
0.000% |
*1583 |
12.18% |
|
Quarantined Due to On Campus Exposure of School District Students and/or Employees
|
0 |
0.000% |
2376 |
18.28% |
|
Quarantined Due to Off Campus Exposure (Community/Family Exposure) of School District Students and/or Employees
|
0 |
0.000% |
958 |
7.37% |
|
Schools Involved in Positive Cases and/or Exposure
|
0 |
|
20 |
|
Last week the state announced a change pertaining to COVID-19 guidance affecting schools. In summary, the updated guidance recommends schools allow students who test positive for COVID-19 to return after only five (5) days, if they are fever-free for twenty-four (24) hours, without the need for additional testing. The recommendation also included for allowing those who do not test positive or develop symptoms to forego quarantine entirely.
Walton County School District will implement these recommendations beginning Monday, March 7th. Schools and parents/guardians commit to share responsibility of monitoring symptoms as needed to ensure the safety of students and staff.
Walton County School District COVID-19 Mitigation Strategies for the 2021-2022 School Year
- If a person is sick (students, teachers, staff, and visitors), they should stay home.
- Hand sanitizer is available at various areas inside the school.
- Cleaning and disinfecting school facilities/buses which are occupied by students will be completed daily.
- Adequate mitigation supplies are on hand at all schools/facilities (hand sanitizer, disinfectant wipes, etc.).
- COVID-19 contact tracing is occurring in all schools/facilities.
Visitors are currently allowed at school during the school day.
*Please keep in mind that although COVID positive cases may represent a student or staff member within the WCSD, it does not necessarily indicate that the virus originated within the WCSD. It is also important to note that a portion of the positive cases involve individuals who may have never entered the school setting while sick due to proper quarantining.
Our Bobcats didn't get the State Championship, but they were Florida 1A Runner Up. We don't like second place but we can say there was ONLY ONE TEAM in the state better Friday Night 3-4-22. Go Bobcats, we are Proud of YOU!
Congratulation SWHS Wrestling on Advancing to State!
March 3, 2022
Max Brewster, Isaac Brinson, and Nicholas Lee, SWHS students are getting ready to go on the mat in Kissimmee, Florida to also compete for a Sate Championship in Wrestling. Congratulations to Coach Nick and Coach Laxton for helping our student athletes compete at the highest level. Of course, our Superintendent made his way to see our children. Did you hear us say “The Whole Child”!!!!! EPIC4wRd!!!!!
Congratulations to our Paxton Bobcats Boys’ Basketball Team for making it to the State Championship Game! Let’s Go Bobcats!
Walton High School BELLISSIMO Chorus
March 3, 2022
On Monday, February 28th, 16 members of the Walton High School BELLISSIMO Chorus sang for assessment at the annual District 1 Music Performance Assessment (MPA). The MPA is the Choral Music equivalent of the Florida Standards Assessment. The results given indicate if a chorus is daily meeting the Florida State Education Standards for Chorus 1, 2, and 3.
Walton High School can be proud that the four adjudicators rated the BELLISSIMO Chorus with 2 ‘Superior’ ratings and 2 ‘Excellent’ ratings. Congratulations to those hard-working students!
The School Board honored the middle and high school students who represented the Walton County School District at All-State in January. Thomas Cook (Emerald Coast Middle School), a 7th grade trumpet player, earned first chair in the All-State Middle School Band. Josue Mendoza-Torres (Freeport High School), an 11th grade tuba player, earned second chair in the All-State High School Honor Band. Riley Hughson (Paxton School), a senior flute player, earned first chair in the All-State High School Honor Band. Noah Stayer (Walton Middle School), Emma Hudson (Walton Middle School), and Kinsley Craig (Walton Middle School) were selected to perform in the All-State Middle School Mixed Chorus. Anna Graham (Walton High School) and Dulce Lara (Walton High School) were selected to participate in the Florida Music Educators Student Leadership Experience.
Thank you to all of these students for representing the Walton County School District so well!