Mrs. Smothers' Class Celebrates Literacy
Jan 27 2016
Submitted by Allie Curtis, District Office
Ms. Smothers' third grade class opening their "Mystery Literacy Box" at Maude Saunders Elementary!
News
Paxton’s ERAU Students Visit Representative Brad Drake
Submitted by Heather Stewart, Paxton School
Paxton High School’s Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Gaetz Aerospace Institute students recently traveled to Tallahassee, Florida for a full day of activities.
Students put their skills to the test during a simulated space mission at the Challenger Learning Center where they worked together to complete the mission including research, analysis and engineering. Following the mission and other activities at the center, students met with Representative Brad Drake during a tour of the Florida Capitol, followed by a visit to Florida State University’s robotics lab and $6 million wind tunnel.
Thank you to the Florida Space Grant Consortium for their generous grant support of this trip.
Paxton Eighth Grade Visits Challenger Learning Center
Submitted by Heather Stewart, Paxton School
Paxton School’s eighth grade students recently enjoyed a field trip to Tallahassee, Florida where they conducted a space mission at the Challenger Learning Center, watched an IMAX movie, viewed a show at the planetarium and toured the Florida Capitol. Thank you to BP for grant funding to support this trip.
Picture and article submitted by Chelsea Ellison, FMS
On Friday, January 22nd, the FMS & FHS SSTRIDE groups went to the Florida State University College of Medicine to receive CPR training. We are so proud to announce that they are all now CPR certified! Way to go, SSTRIDE students! See the FMS SSTRIDE webpage for more pictures!
SSTRIDE stands for: Science Students Together Reaching Instructional Diversity & Excellence.
SSTRIDE© is an outreach effort of the FSU College of Medicine with support from Florida's Area Health Education Centers.
SSTRIDE©'s Mission is to identify students who have a genuine interest in pursuing a career in science, engineering, mathematics, health, or medicine and to give those students the support services important for them to develop the sense of responsibility, focus and motivation necessary for success in their chosen fields.
SSTRIDE© has a college component for college and university students and a pre-college component for middle and high school students.
The pre-college component is open to students from designated Florida middle and high schools in Collier, Gadsden, Leon, Madison, Okaloosa, Orange and Walton counties.
Walton High School student Evan Cowie has been selected as Walton County's top 11th grade student in the area of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) to be honored at the 2016 Sunshine State Scholars Program.
The Sunshine State Scholars program was founded in 1997 by Dr. William Caldwell of the University of North Florida and brought together top STEM students from throughout the state to celebrate their successes. Sunshine State Scholars recognizes the academic achievements of the top 11th grade students representing every district in Florida. The scholars, along with their parents and a teacher selected by each scholar, convene with more than 40 of Florida's colleges and universities to learn about postsecondary STEM programs of study and unique career opportunities.
Evan was also the winner of the 2014-15 State of Florida Science Fair. Congratulations Evan!
Picture submitted by Barbara Stratton, SWHS
The Walton County School District would like to thank the Walton Education Foundation! Over the past year the Walton Education Foundation has awarded over $42,000 to 39 classrooms through WEF’s Classroom Grant program using matching funds from the Consortium of Florida Education Foundations. In addition, the Foundation has increased the number of students in Walton County’s Take Stock in Children program by 32 percent. The Foundation has also worked with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to host the very first Elevating and Celebrating Effective Teaching and Teachers Event – AKA ECET2.
A special thanks also goes out to following companies and their representatives for their very generous donations to the Walton Education Foundation.
Kristina Mackenzie with Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort and Spa through United Way of Okaloosa & Walton – Over $11,000 for All Walton Education Foundation Programs
Janet Greeno with the St. Joe Community Foundation - $7,500 for Classroom Grant Program
Brian Gilbert, Kevin Campbell and Ashley Williams with CHELCO - $6,000 for Classroom Grant Program
Pictured: Volunteer Walton Education Foundation Board Members in attendance at a recent School Board Meeting: Megan Harrison, Lauren Justiss, Kelli Jo Kilberg, Melissa Pilcher, Linda Presenell, Wyndy Crozier.
Pictured above: Walton Education Foundation Executive Director MH Carr and the mini-grant recipients present at the School Board presentation.
Click here to see the list of mini-grant recipients.
Pictured above: Walton Education Foundation Executive Director MH Carr (left) and Kristina Mackenzie with the Hilton Sandestin Beach Resort and Spa.
Pictured above: Walton Education Foundation Executive Director MH Carr (left) and Janet Greeno with the St. Joe Company Foundation.
Pictured Left to Right: Chelco representatives Kevin Campbell and Brian Gilbert and Walton Education Foundation Executive Director MH Carr.
Congratulations to James Williams, the Educational Support Personnel of the Year.
Pictured: Superintendent Anderson, ESP of the Year James Williams, Transportation Director Jim Hicks
Congratulations to Emerald Coast Middle School Teacher, Jennifer Rhea, for being selected as the 2016 Walton County Teacher of the Year!
Pictured: Jennifer Rhea & Emerald Coast Middle School Principal Jeff Infinger
Grit & Grace Donates Book Titled, "Wild Wild Walton" to All Middle and High School Libraries
Jan 15 2016
Picture Courtesy of the DeFuniak Herald/Beach Breeze Newspaper
A big thank you to Grit & Grace for donating the book titled, "Wild Wild Walton" to each of the middle and high school libraries. The book written by Mr. Ronnie McBrayer is based on Grit & Grace's 2015 production bearing the same name, "Wild Wild Walton."
The special donatation was made at the January 5th School Board meeting. Grit & Grace board members in attendance were introduced at the meeting: Mark Douglass, Kim Kirby, Mac Carpenter, Voncille McLeod, and Rosemary Garner. The author Mr. McBrayer was also introduced at the meeting.
School Representatives:
Mitch Jackson – Vice Principal - Paxton School
Jason Campbell – Principal - Walton Middle School
Russell Hughes – Principal - Walton High School
Tripp Hope – Principal - Freeport High School
Charlie Morse – Principal - Freeport Middle School
Youlanda Guice – Secretary - South Walton High School
Jeff Infinger – Principal - Emerald Coast Middle School