District News

This past week, Paxton's National Honor Society inducted its new members: Haylee Hayes, Jordyn Bradley, Zach Williams, Cassie Varnum, and Mya Young (NOT PICTURED: Holden Mitchell). During the ceremony, NHS officers (Sadie Varnum, Hailee Bryan, Caylor Dixon, and Zachary Wilson) spoke of the characteristics of an NHS member: service, character, leadership, and scholarship. These new inductees express these qualities everyday as they bring their best in school and their community.

Pax Nat Jr Hon Society Induction

This past week, Key Club, Builder's Club, and K-Kids hosted their annual Dinner and a Show. Along with a delicious pizza dinner, the club members, from elementary to high school, entertained the audience. From juggling to guitar playing to dancing, the show had acts of all types. Furthermore, as it was the 10th anniversay of Paxton's Key Club chapter, there was a special slide show commemorating past members of the club and all new members of the three clubs were recognized. A fun and entertaining time was had by all.

Paxton Dinner and Show

Recently, the 8th graders pictured were recognized for scoring a level FIVE on the FSA-Grade 7-ELA. Special recognition was given to Collin Stewart, who received the highest score in the entire grade.
BACK ROW (L to R): Zoe Orange, Collin Stewart, and Hunter Lambert. FRONT ROW (L to R): Gracie Geoghagan and Addie Cook

Walton High School welcomed musicians from Samford University this week. WHS band students enjoyed a Jazz Band performance while the WHS Concert Choir participated in a vocal performance workshop. Special thanks to the Music Department of Samford University, Birmingham, for providing this opportunity for our WHS musicians!

WHS Jazz Band w Samford

WHS Chorus w Samford

The Freeport Middle School art department gets excited about college and careers with a "virtual tour" of the Savannah College of Art and Design. A big thank you to Lara Langston, the Director of Outreach Admission at SCAD, for sending us pennants, pens, and other SCAD swag! We can't wait to go to SCAD!!

Florida Department of Education Announces Florida Standards Listening Tour Stop in Walton County!

October 23 – Walton County, Walton High School 5:30 to 6:30 pm. Doors open at 5:00 pm

In January, Governor DeSantis issued Executive Order 19-32 to ensure Florida has the best academic standards in the nation by eliminating Common Core and paving the way for Florida students to receive a world-class education to prepare them for jobs of the future. This mandate directed Commissioner Corcoran to comprehensively review the academic standards for Florida’s kindergarten through grade twelve students and provide recommended revisions to the Governor by January 1, 2020.

Department leadership have been in constant communication with over 30 organizations and stakeholders presenting and discussing the standards review process including the Florida Association of District School Superintendents and Florida PTA. Eighty one Florida school districts and entities are represented and over 74,000 reviews have been submitted by the public.

“Our team has been working tirelessly on the revised draft, and we truly appreciate all of the input we have received from Floridians thus far,” said Commissioner of Education Richard Corcoran. “Success is our standard and we are looking forward to hosting the upcoming listening tour to ensure that Florida has the best academic standards in the nation.”

Floridians will have the opportunity to offer public input during the Florida Standards Listening tour stops.

On Tuesday, October 15th, Walton Middle School sixth graders embarked on an upriver cruise aboard the S.S. Nile in Mr. Paul Baur and Mr. Tracie Jordan's social studies classes. While serene scenes from the Nile River played on the ClearTouch board at the front of the room, students received instructions from their captains, Mr. Baur and Mr. Jordan, about that day's learning excursions. The captains instructed passengers to disembark at different stations around the room, where they read texts and studied pictures about Ancient Egypt. At each unique destination, students captured their learning in a mock Instagram post that summarized their learning with a caption, image, and key facts. They even shared their posts with peers, who commented on their learning, much like they would do on social media. After finishing at one station, the S.S. Nile then transported students to their next destination, where their learning continued. Throughout this imaginative and interactive lesson, students collaborated to analyze how the Nile River affected ancient Egyptian life and, even more importantly, how geography influences how people live. Students were productively engaged aboard Captain Baur and Captain Jordan's virtual cruise. Who knows where their next learning destination will be.

Secretaries from across the WCSD and 14 other member districts attended the 2019 Secretarial Conference sponsored by the Panhandle Area Educational Consortium (PAEC) on Friday, October 11. Superintendent A. Russell Hughes addressed the participants during the welcome and opening events. Attendees had the opportunity to hear speakers on topics such as Clear Communication; Professionalism; Teamwork; Respectful Listening; Problem-Solving; and Technology Tips.
Secretarial employees attended sessions designed to give them some new tools for success, and to discuss and share information that would be beneficial as they engage in their daily responsibilities.
We definitely appreciate our school and administrative secretaries for all they do to keep things moving forward in the WCSD!

Earlier this month, Freeport Middle School AVID students visited Emerald Coast Technical College in Defuniak Springs as part of their college and career-readiness curriculum.

October is Down Syndrome Awareness month, so students and staff at Mossy Head School wore blue and yellow to show our support for Down Syndrome Awareness. Down Syndrome Awareness month gives us the opportunity to spread awareness, advocacy and inclusion in our community.

Paxton National Honor Society Inducts New Members

October 16, 2019

Paxton's Key Club, Builder's Club, and K-Kids Present Dinner and a Show

October 16, 2019

Paxton Students Recognized for Level 5's on Grade 7 FSA-ELA

October 16, 2019

Samford University Musicians Visit Walton High School Music Dept!

October 16, 2019

FMS Art Students Virtual Tour of Savannah College of Art and Design!

October 16, 2019

Florida Department of Education Florida Standards Listening Tour Tomorrow Night, Wednesday, Oct. 23, at Walton High School!!

October 16, 2019

Setting Sail on the S.S. Nile in Sixth Grade Social Studies at WMS

October 15, 2019

WCSD Staff Attend PAEC Secretarial Conference 2019!

October 15, 2019

FMS AVID Students at ECTC

October 15, 2019

MHS Supports Down Syndrome Awareness

October 15, 2019