District News

February 8, 2018 the Walton County School Board Members met with:

1^stPicture – Chairperson Kim Kirby, School Board Member Marsha Winegarner, School Board Member Jason Catalano

Sitting is Representative Brad Drake

2^nd Picture – School Board Member Marsha Winegarner, Representative Mel Ponder, Chairperson Kim Kirby and School Board Member Jason Catalano

3^rd Picture – Senator George B. Gainer and School Board Member Jason Catalano

Sitting is School Board Member Marsha Winegarner

Several new students were inducted into PHS' National Honor Students, a club for students who strive for academic excellence. The following students were inducted (L to R): Front Row - Ciara Stricklin, Trinity Shedd, Skye Ramsey, Paiyton Perry, Natalie Allred, and Hailey Ard. Back Row - Jacqueline Stricklin, Halie Porter, Tristan Petty, Adam Hall, Chelsea Deramus, Hailee Bryan, Philip Anderson, and Sadie Varnum.

Submitted by Kalli McMillan

Freeport Middle School recently received a grant from the St. Joe Community Foundation for $10,700. This grant will be used to purchase the resources necessary to start an afterschool STEM program in hopes of maintaining students’ enthusiasm for science throughout their middle school career and beyond. The resources will also be used to create hands-on classroom lab experiences for science classrooms. A big thank you to Ms. Brianna Leavins for writing the grant and a huge thank you as well to the St. Joe Community Foundation for providing the opportunity and the grant! Pictured left to right: Janet Piepul, St. JoE Executive Director, Brianna Leavins, FMS Interventionist/Instructional Coach.

Submitted by Sharie Smith

The Walton High School Band Winterguard placed 1st in the Scholastic A Guard category at Tate High School on February 3rd at the Tate HS Indoor Guard and Percussion Showcase.

Indoor Percussion placed 5^th in Scholastic A Percussion.

The picture is of the Indoor Percussion. You can view the Winterguard performance at: https://youtu.be/aPTRmDE_rWc

Congratulations to both of these fine ensembles and their instructors!

Submitted by Chad Robbins

Mrs. Moore's 5^th Grade class at Mossy Head learned about the different layers of skin and how important skin is to the human body. Students used pudding, Oreo crumbs and Twizzlers to replicate the layers of skin, hair and blood vessels.

Submitted by Elizabeth Gaither

Congratulations to these Freeport High School Band students attending the 2018 University of South Carolina Band Clinic and Conductors Symposium on February 11, 2018!

(Left to right) Ashlynn Fannin (trombone); Ethan Carlock (flute); Larry Wheeler (tuba); Dylan Estess (euphonium)

Submitted by Michael Miller

Students and faculty at West DeFuniak Elementary will benefit from an EPIC grant that they received from St. Joe Community Foundation. Ms. Janet Piepul, Executive Director for the Foundation stopped by to present the check to Mrs. Tammy Goodman, Media Specialist and Mr. Rodney Free, Assistant Principal. Several eager students were also available for the photo opportunity. The $20,000 grant will be used for books, ebooks, and iPads for the library. St. Joe Community Foundation provides grants to nonprofit agencies in Bay and Walton Counties in the areas of art, education, healthcare, and the environment. In doing so the local communities are healthier and it is more enjoyable for the people who live and work in both counties. WDE is thrilled to be able to receive this grant and to be able to provide these EPIC resources to our school.

Submitted by Jessica Dawkins

After their victory against the Ponce de Leon Pirates this past Saturday, the Paxton Ladycats have been named district champs. Way to go, Ladycats! Your fellow Paxtonians are so proud!

Submitted by Kalli McMillan

As a special treat at the PHS Homecoming Pep Rally, the Spanish Club (lead by their sponsor: Micah Trinidad) performed a medley of Latin dances for the entire student body. The performance included dance styles like Bachata, Merengue, and Salsa. Great job, Spanish Club!

Submitted by Kalli McMillan

During Paxton's Homecoming festivities, there is an annual Faculty/Student Free Throw Competition. The students are allowed to call out the competition of their choice. This year, Noah Brown, a senior student, stepped up to call out his competition. Noah pointed his finger at a person at the front of the gym as the announcer said, "Mr. Hughes!" Mr. Hughes put forth a valiant effort and showed off some EPIC shooting skills.

submitted by Kalli McMillan

31st Annual Day in the Legislature!

February 13, 2018

Congratulations to Paxton National Honor Society Inductees

February 12, 2018

Freeport Middle School Receives Grant from the St. Joe Community Foundation for STEM Program!

February 12, 2018

Walton High School Winterguard and Indoor Percussion Receive Honors

February 12, 2018

Mossy Head Students Learn about Skin Layers

February 12, 2018

FHS Band Students attend University of South Carolina Band Clinic!

February 12, 2018

St. Joe Community Foundation Awards Media Center Grant to West Defuniak Elementary!

February 12, 2018

Paxton Ladycats are District Champs!

February 12, 2018

Spanish Club Performs Latin Dances at Paxton Homecoming!

February 12, 2018

Supt Hughes Participates in Faculty/Student Free Throw at Paxton Homecoming!

February 12, 2018