Bay School staff and students truly appreciate our very own SRO, Deputy Banjoman. In honor of National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day, we wanted to thank him for all that he does. Thank you to all of the hard working SRO's and other men and women in law enforcement who work every day to keep us safe!!!!
South Walton High School Junior Fisher Marks has been named the Sunshine State Scholar for Walton County. Fisher is the son of Daniel and Wendy Marks of Inlet Beach.
The Sunshine State Scholar's program honors the top 11th grade students in the state in the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM).
Each scholar, along with their parents, will travel to Orlando for an extraordinary two-day program designed to bring together scholars from around the state, connect them with employers that specialize in the STEM fields, and create a networking opportunity between the scholars and schools from Florida’s College and State University System.
This year’s program will bring 103 high school STEM scholars together to conduct a “think tank” on tough Florida challenges.
Congratulations to Fisher Marks for his outstanding academic performance!
West DeFuniak Elementary teachers started off 2020 with preparation for their upcoming AVID Elementary Showcase. Primary teachers learned some hands-on AVID strategies such as “Team Huddle”, “4 Corners”, “Inside, Outside”, and “Quiz, Quiz, Trade” while teachers in grades 3-5 participated in their “LETRS PLC”. After lunch primary and intermediate teachers swapped out for more AVID strategies and LETRS PLC with district Literacy Coach, Shannon Seigler. Teachers in grades 3-5 learned about ways to incorporate “College & Career” into their lessons as well as ways to get their students in the mindset of goal setting for their futures.
Congratulations to Nicholas Binkowski, senior percussionist at Walton High School, for being accepted to the following Honor Bands: University of Alabama at Birmingham, Auburn University, Samford University, and The University of Alabama. To be accepted to each Honor Band, he had to complete an application and be recommended by the band director, Mr. Muller. Once at each Honor Band, he had to complete anaudition to earn a band and chair placement. At UAB Honor Band, he placed in the top band, third chair. He will be attending The University of Alabama Honor Band at the end of January. Nicholas has chosen to not attend Auburn and Samford Honor Bands so he can focus on his solo and ensemble repertoire.
Students from West DeFuniak Elementary School and Dune Lakes Elementary School were selected by audition to participate in the Florida Music Educators Association All-State Professional Development Conference in Tampa, Florida. These students were among approximately 210 of the top elementary singers in the state of Floridato be selected for the Florida Elementary All-State Chorus! The Chorus performed under the direction of Robyn Reeves Lana, Founder, Managing Artistic Director and Conductor of the award winning Cincinnati Children’s Choir (CCC), Ensemble-in-Residence at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM). Under her leadership, CCC earned a gold medal in the 2012 World Choir Games coming in first in the US in their category. She is also an adjunct professor at Xavier University where she directs the Women’s Chorus.
The FMEA Elementary All State Chorus is a unique music education opportunity for Florida students. Elementary school students with unchanged voices in 4th and 5th grades are eligible to audition.
The Walton County School District is so proud of the 4 WCSD students selected by audition for the Ch ensemble, and their directors!
Pictured:
Back row, L to R - Alex Gartner, Accompanist; Robyn Lana, Conductor; Nathan Hight, WDE Music specialist
Front Row, L to R - Lucy George and Kinsley Craig, WDE Music students
Pictured:
Back Row, L to R - Corrie Sober, DLE Music specialist; Robyn Lana, Conductor; Alex Gartner, Accompanist
Front Row, L to R - Kayla Crider and Evangeline Brown, DLE Music students
Congratulations to the Butler Teacher of the Year and ESP of the year. Teacher of the year is Mrs. McCauley, who teaches kindergarten. Our ESP of the year is Kandy Bartlett, one of our custodians.
We are so proud of these ladies for all of the hard work that they do. They will represent Butler well at the district awards on Thursday, January 23 at 6:00 at Walton High School.
WCSD is excited to congratulate and wish all the best to the 5 students from our district to be selected for the Florida Elementary Music Educators Association All-State performing ensembles in collaboration with the 2020 Florida Music Educators Association Professional Development Conference in Tampa, Florida! These students will join other selected students from across the state to perform in concert at the conference, under the direction of nationally recognized conductors!
5th grader Carlee Adams from FMS will be performing in the FEMEA All-State Orff Ensemble! Her sponsoring director is Angela Saltsman.
Evangeline Brown and Kayla Crider from Dune Lakes Middle School, sponsoring director Corrie Sober; and Lucy George and Kinsley Craig from West DeFuniak Elementary, sponsoring director Nathan Hight, will all be performing in the FEMEA All-State Chorus!
We wish them safe travels, and a wonderful experience as they represent our district in the event. More pics to come!
Carlee Adams and sponsoring teacher, Angela Saltsman
Evangeline Brown and Kayla Crider from Dune Lakes Middle School, sponsoring director Corrie Sober
Lucy George and Kinsley Craig from West DeFuniak Elementary, sponsoring director Nathan Hight
