Forty–one fourth and fifth grade student leaders from Maude Saunders Elementary took a field trip to Walton High School to learn about the leadership opportunities they will have when they become Braves. Mr. Brown and Mr. Smith gave the students a school tour, and representatives from various clubs and organizations talked to the students about the many ways they can become involved in extra-curricular activities in high school. The highlight of the trip was a special Drone demonstration by the Embry Riddle Aerospace Program, and the opportunity to pose for this aerial photo of the group! Submitted by Krisy Spence.
WHS Early Childhood Students Intern at WDE
April 24, 2017
First grade students have enjoyed having WHS students visit regularly throughout the second semester of this school year. WHS students in an Early Childhood Development course have been given the opportunity to visit and work with students in grades K-2. During these visits, they have read with students & interacted with them in the elementary setting, including during recess. Submitted by Jessica Dawkins.
WDE 1st Grade Field Trip to the Gulfarium
April 20, 2017
First grade at WDE recently went on a field trip to Gulfarium in Ft. Walton Beach, FL. The students had a great time learning about different ocean animals! During our visit, students were able to watch a dolphin show and a sea lion show. They were also able to learn interesting facts at animal chats, led by the trainers. These sessions were mini-lessons that taught students about the animals’ feedings, environments and lifestyles. After spending the morning at the Gulfarium, lunch took place at a nearby state park and students enjoyed the beach view. It was a great time for all of the kids!
Pictured below is first grade student, Ava Shoaf, who had the privilege of meeting a Gulfarium dolphin trainer while on a field trip! Ava is holding a book that her class published about what they want to be when they grow up. She wrote about being a dolphin rider. Submitted by Jessica Dawkins.
WDE Goes to the Ranch!
April 19, 2017
Second graders at West DeFuniak Elementary school took a field trip to the Rocking B-A-B Ranch on April 14, 2017. Students were able to learn interesting facts about both common farm animals and exotic animals at the ranch. The students really enjoyed being able to pet the young animals and were excited about being able to play and eat their lunch in the “Big Barn” the ranch has on site. Submitted by Jessica Dawkins.
FMS Teachers "Get Cheesy" at Spring Pep Rally
April 19, 2017
On April 17th, Freeport Middle School held their spring pep rally to recognize spring sport athletes and to motivate students for FSA. Four FMS teachers volunteered to play a light-hearted game of "Cheeto Head". Each teacher's head was covered with shaving cream and two students from each grade level had one minute to fill their teacher's head with as many cheese balls as possible. Each team worked incredibly hard, but in the end the fifth grade team consisting of Mrs. Nicole Pryor, Mayson Feller, and Adalyn McCormick won! The fifth grade team also won the pep rally with the most overall school spirit. Submitted by Chelsea Ellison.
Seahawks Sign College Commitments
April 19, 2017
South Walton High School Seniors Adam Richards and Austin Garofalo signed letters of commitment to play baseball next year. Adam signed with Birmingham Southern College and Austin with Marion Military Institute. Submitted by Barbara Stratton.
FMS Baseball Team Celebrates at Blue Wahoo Stadium
April 19, 2017
The Freeport Middle School baseball team worked really hard this season. As a reward for their extraordinary effort, the baseball banquet was held at a Pensacola Blue Wahoos baseball game with an "all-you-can-eat" burger and hot dog buffet. Coach Wassman says, "I am blessed to be part of Bulldog Nation, Go Dogs!" Great job! Submitted by Chelsea Ellison.
Ken Blackburn, an engineer with the Air Force Research Laboratory at Eglin Air Force Base, recently spoke to ninth grade aerospace students at Paxton about how UAVs are developed and tested in the Air Force and how the technology is rapidly changing in the commercial sector. Submitted by Kalli McMillan.
PHS First Grade Students Build Art Bots
April 17, 2017
Paxton students in Mrs. Cottle’s first grade class recently built their own motorized “Art Bot” and then used it to create masterpieces like this one. After building the art bot, students adjusted the markers to control the movement of the “bot” to create the desired effect in this STEAM- science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics- lesson. Submitted by Kalli McMillan.
Paxton Fourth Grade Students Fly Into Stem
April 17, 2017
Fourth grade students at Paxton School learned first-hand about the four forces of flight from former paper airplane world record holder Ken Blackburn. Blackburn, an engineer at the Air Force Research Laboratory at Eglin Air Force Base and former world record holder for the longest flying paper airplane, taught students about lift, thrust and drag and weight. He then helped students craft their own paper airplanes. Students competed with their airplanes, taking careful measurements of the distance each plane traveled and the number of seconds it maintained flight. Submitted by Kalli McMillan.