Toni Aguilar from the Walton County Sheriff's Office crime scene/evidence unit visited Mrs. Melissa Susenbach's Law Studies class recently. Ms. Aguilar educated students about how techs work crime scenes and what tools are used in the field. Students immensely enjoyed this realistic learning opportunity. Submitted by Kristen Rhodes.
State of Florida Recognizes High Impact Teachers of Walton County - South End Board Meeting
March 31, 2017
During the March 21, 2017 Walton County School Board Meeting, School Board Member Kim Kirby and Superintendent Russell Hughes presented certificates to several Walton County teachers for being recognized by the Commissioner of Education, Pam Stewart, as some of the highest impact teachers in the state of Florida.
Pictured left to right: Superintendent Russell Hughes, Carol Davis, Van R. Butler Elementary; Wendy Anderson, Van R. Butler Elementary; Taylor Griffith, Seaside Neighborhood School; Joy Robbins, Seaside Neighborhood School; Dana Akridge, Seaside Neighborhood School; Brandy Wesson, Emerald Coast Middle School; Charlotte Sause, Seaside Neighborhood School, and Kim Kirby, WCSD Board Member. Not pictured, but also recognized are: Jeannine Abadie, Tracey Behr, Nina Borthwick, and Constance Morreale from Emerald Coast Middle School; Sharon Martin from Seaside Neighborhood School; Kasey Smith from Van R. Butler Elementary; Angela Reilly from South Walton High School; and Lisa Henry from Bay Elementary School.
A big congratulations and thank you to these teachers for their hard work in and out of the classroom. One more example of the quality education and leadership being provided by the teachers, administration and staff of the Walton County School District! Submitted by Keitha Bledsoe.
WDE 5th Graders Participate in the Great Mail Race
March 31, 2017
5th grade students in Mrs. Currid and Mrs. Garrett’s classes are participating in a program called The Great Mail Race. Mrs. Currid received a letter from a fifth grade class at Al Burress Elementary in Marietta Georgia. The letter invited WDE students to join them in sending handwritten letters to different elementary schools across the nation. The goal is for students to learn how to write a letter and to communicate with other classes in the 50 states
For more information please visit the following website:
http://thegreatmailrace.weebly.com/
Submitted by Jessica Dawkins
WDE Kindergarten Students Learning About Proper Dental Care
March 31, 2017
On February 27th, West DeFuniak Kindergarteners were visited by Nurse Stacey Betts and her monkey friend, Mojo. They told students how important it is to keep their teeth healthy. With the help of Mojo, students were able to learn how to brush and floss their teeth properly. Submitted by Jessica Dawkins.
FMS Hosts Fourth Annual Career Day
March 31, 2017
Freeport Middle School (FMS) hosted our fourth annual Career Day on March 9th. The goal was to expose students to a variety of career opportunities that varied in preservice educational experiences. Sixteen presenters visited fifth through eighth grade classrooms led by AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) students. AVID is a program which helps career-minded students reach their goals.
FMS would like to extend a big thank you to all the people who volunteered to be a guest speaker for Career Day and to the PTO for organizing the event! From having the opportunity to tour an ambulance, pet a baby goat, to listening to Mr. Russell Hughes’s journey to becoming the Walton County School District’s Superintendent, the students’ exposure to the various careers was a priceless educational experience and one they are sure to remember for a long time.
2017 Freeport Middle School Career Day Guest Speakers
Ronnie McBrayer- Writer, Musician, and Pastor
Theresa Devine and Charlie the Goat- Farmer
Kristin Pond- K-9 Deputy
Freeport Fire Department
Bo Wilkerson- Historical Fiction Author
Jenn Latusek-Nabholz- Marine Biologist & Environmental Scientist
Joseph Register- Bee Keeper
Dylan Laird- Regional Utilities Engineer
Trey Nick- Nick’s Restaurant Owner
Denise Rogers- Custom Impressions Painting Company Owner
Brittany Tate- Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance Representative
Chandler Williams- Photographer and Owner of Modus Photography
Rik Poloski- Five-Star Audio Visual Representative
Leslie Harrison- Forensics
David Swanick- Attorney and Mary Garner- Paralegal
Russell Hughes- Superintendent of Schools
Submitted by Chelsea Ellison.
Walton County School Board Members and Superintendent Hughes in Tallahassee Speaking Out for WCSD!
March 30, 2017
Walton County School Board members Bill Eddins, Kim Kirby, and Jason Catalano, along Superintendent Russell Hughes, in Tallahassee making sure there is a voice for Walton County among the Florida House of Representatives and Florida Senate!
Pictured below: Jason Catalano, Superintendent A. Russell Hughes, and Representative Mel Ponder.
Pictured below: Superintendent A. Russell Hughes, Senator Montford, Kim Kirby and Jason Catalano
Pictured below: Kim Kirby, Representative Brad Drake, Superintendent A. Russell Hughes and Jason Catalano.
Pictured below: Kim Kirby, Elizabeth Fetterhoff- Senator Hukill's Legislative Aide, Jason Catalano, and Superintendent A. Russell Hughes.
Superintendent Hughes Visits Mrs. Wright's Class at VRB
March 30, 2017
Submitted by Laura Smith.
Northwest Florida Astronomy Association Gives Hands-on Presentation to WMS 8th Graders
March 30, 2017
On Thursday, March 29th, the Northwest Florida Astronomy Association gave a hands-on presentation to Walton Middle School eighth grade science students about the sun and other stars. The group brought four different telescopes so students could look at the sun safely. They brought a hydrogen alpha telescope that only allows red light in to view the prominences and granulation of the sun. The second telescope was a spectroscope for viewing elements in the solar atmosphere. Another telescope allowed students to view the sun's outline and used the power of the sun to start a fire through the lens. A fourth telescope used a stainless steel lens to filter light, allowing students to see sunspots. Students were also given special glasses, which allowed them to look directly at the sun. Walton Middle School graciously thanks the Northwest Florida Astronomy Association for taking time to give students this phenomenal opportunity. Submitted by Kristen Rhodes.
Mr. Hughes Visits Ms. Houp's Study Bunch at SWHS
March 30, 2017
WDE 2nd Graders Use Cubes to Learn Vocabulary
March 30, 2017
WDE 2nd grade students created cubes using toothpicks and play-doh. Students used the cube models to practice vocabulary terms such as sides, faces, and vertices. Submitted by Jessica Dawkins.