District News

Seniors from Walton High School, Freeport High School, and Paxton School gathered at Walton High School to participate in Senior Empowerment Day on Wednesday, October 25, at Walton High School.

Students moved through rotation to different stations where they had the opportunity to interact with representatives from local agencies and professions, post-secondary institutions, military, as well as staff members in an effort to provide them with resources to make good decisions about their post-high school career path.
Presenters shared information on topics such as banking, cooking, interviewing skills, veterinary medicine, emergency services, fire and rescue, law enforcement, nursing and pharmaceutical, musical theatre, and education.

Special thanks to all those who participated in bringing this resource to our WCSD seniors, and to those who coordinated and collaborated at Walton High School to make it happen! #EPIC2 #ProgressonPurpose

It's National School Bus Safety Week with the theme "My Driver - My Safety Hero!" Walton County School District wishes to extend a special "thank you" to our dedicated school bus drivers, and their diligence in getting our students to and from school safely each day!

Second grade students at WDE embarked on an adventure of a lifetime aboard the Buccaneer Pirate Cruise located at HarborWalk Village in Destin. The tour interactively entertained students with sword fights, water gun battles, storytelling, singing, dancing, and treasure hunts.

Submitted by Jessica Dawkins

Mrs. Shelby Child's class

Mrs. Emily Dickey and Mrs. Lela Peyton’s class

Paxton's National Honor Society has just inducted the newest members to their chapter with their annual ceremony. The students were informed about the characteristics necessary to be an NHS member by the NHS officers (Top Right Picture - L to R): Zach Wilson, Hailee Bryan, Camryn Brazile, and Paiyton Perry) and enjoyed a word of encouragment from their principal, Mrs. Neale. Their sponsors (Wendy Jones and Kalli McMillan) and the rest of the chapter were very happy to welcome the new members.

The new NHS members are (Top Left Picture - L to R): Brianna Wright, Emily Wilson, Tabitha Snow, Hayley Simmons, Harmony Heitger, Dylan Hawkins, and Dylan Corbett.

Club Members (Bottom Picture - L to R): Back Row: Hayley Simmons, Harmony Heitger, Maddie Varnum, Tabitha Snow, Emily Wilson, Brianna Wright, Halie Porter, Camryn Brazile, Paiyton Perry, Hailee Bryan, Caylor Dixon, Hailey Ard, Paige Palmer, Skye Ramsey, Savannah Ard, and Trinity Shedd. Front Row: Zach Wilson, Dylan Hawkins, Philip Anderson, Blaine Johnston, Tristan Petty, Adam Hall, Dylan Corbett, Conner Varnum, and River Mitchem.

Submitted by Kalli McMillan

Walton County Teacher of the Year, Joan Kennett, has been collaborating with teachers throughout the district as part of a special program initiated by Superintendent Hughes that allows the TOY to serve as a resource person, working directly with colleagues to inspire innovative instruction, and improve student engagement.

Each week she visits different schools, sharing, collaborating, and participating in professional learning communities (PLC's). She will share pictures and descriptions of the experiences she encounters along her journey as Walton County TOY.

Ms. Kennett has spent some time recently at Walton Middle School with teachers Pam Rushing, Jackie Clemmons and Saundra Thorson, brainstorming and promoting science education.

Pictured: Pam Rushing and Joan Kennett

Left to Right - Pam Rushing, Joan Kennett, Jackie Clemmons, Saundra Thorson

The FMS Art Department displays their printmaking skills. First students create a printing plate by carving into foam, then they ink the plate, press the plate on paper, and finally pull their print. Way to go FMS artists! submitted by Kendra Peloquin

The Curriculum and Instruction Department of Walton County School District is working diligently to support schools throughout our district as they rally to provide relief to victims of Hurricane Michael.

Supervisor, Kay Dailey, Student Services Director, Randy Stafford, and Coordinators Kim Stafford, Myca Chandler, Cathy Hall, Crystal Appel, Donna Honish, Keitha Bledsoe and their teams are joining efforts at our schools by participating in the special projects such as "Stuff the Bus", "Stack the Stage", "Pennies for the Panhandle", "Dollar for Hearts", and many other projects. They are also providing supplies, monetary donations, and assisting in delivery of items to area distribution stations to help those in need.

We are making sure that each school has the forms and documents needed to accommodate increased enrollment resulting from the devastation caused by Hurricane Michael, to include school residency forms. Once forms are submitted and students have been identify as displaced, efforts are made through the Curriculum and Instruction department to provide assistance with breakfast and lunch, clothing, school supplies, and connection with agencies that can provide additional support in areas of housing and feeding outside of the school environment.

Dr. Randy Stafford indicated that our guidance departments are currently undergoing special training called Youth - Mental Health First Aid designed to help recognize indicators of stress, anxiety, depression, and other symptoms that may develop and/or increase due to the effects of displacement and relocation. Dr. Stafford and his team are assessing need and have begun to formulate ideas on how to provide additional services to students and families who have been victims of the hurricane.

Youth - Mental Health First Aid workshop. Front Row: far left, Dr. Randy Stafford. Front Rpw: far right, School Safety Specialist, Charlie Morse.

Students at PHS loaded a school bus full of supplies for victims of Hurricane Michael, this past week. On Saturday, members of the PHS faculty and staff headed to Sneads in order to deliver supplies to the members of the community. The people of Sneads were so grateful for the supplies. Members of the Sneads High School volleyball team helped the PHS volunteers to pass out supplies and serve 155 barbecue plates. Way to demonstrate your PRIDE, PASSION, and PURPOSE in EPIC proportions. Submitted by Kalli McMillan

Thank you to everyone that helped us STUFF THE BUS for Hurricane Michael victims in Calhoun County! Coach Nichols made the first delivery Friday afternoon.

We are continuing to stuff the bus and will make deliveries as it gets full. We wanted to remind everyone of suggested items that are needed:

- Hand sanitizer
- Blankets
- Baby supplies (formula, baby wipes, diapers, etc.)
- Hygiene items
- Bottled water
- Nonperishable food
- Batteries
- Flashlights
- Tarps
- Flip flops, t-shirts, pants
- Cleaning supplies
- Basic cooking supplies
- Kids' games, coloring books, crayons
- Tents
- Yard trash bags
- Work gloves

Items may be dropped off with Mrs. Hoppe in the front office, and we'll transfer them to the bus. We appreciate everyone's support!

Submitted by Christy English

5th grade students at WDE celebrated great behavior for the 1st nine weeks team time at Hurricane Lanes. Students enjoyed a couple hours of bowling and lunch as reward for maintaining an E or S for behavior during the first nine weeks period. The students were having so much fun that a few of the teachers had to join in! Submitted by Jessica Dawson

From left to right: Alayah Dalton, Layla Renteria, Belinda Rodriguez, Kristopher Brown, Briana Laird

Kiley Brooks

Mr. Andy Stafford - 5th Grade Teacher

Senior Empowerment Day - EPIC2!

October 24, 2018

National School Bus Safety Week!

October 24, 2018

WDE Pirate Cruise

October 23, 2018

PHS National Honor Society Inducts Newest Members

October 23, 2018

Walton County Teacher of the Year, Joan Kennett - The Journey!

October 22, 2018

Freeport Middle School Art Department Explores Printmaking!

October 22, 2018

WCSD Curriculum and Instruction Department Working to Assist Storm Victim Families!

October 22, 2018

PHS' "Stuff the Bus" Heads to Sneads

October 22, 2018

WHS Delivers Hurricane Relief Supplies To Calhoun County

October 22, 2018

WDE 5th Grade Bowling Team Time

October 20, 2018