District News

WHS Teachers Receive Grant For Books

December 12, 2017

There were 62 applicants for this year’s Walton Education Foundation classroom grant project. Over $61,000 worth of items were requested. The Foundation selected 29 grants provided with private funds from CHELCO, Alys Beach Foundation, SunTrust Bank, Publix, and their annual Apple Classic 5K and 10K fundraiser, as well as matching funds from the Consortium of Florida Education Foundations.


We are excited to announce WHS teachers, Ms. Stephenson and Ms. Corales, were awarded one of these grants (for $1500), which allowed them to purchase 180 books for their classroom libraries.


Congratulations, Ms. Stephenson and Ms. Corales! We know your students are anxious to get their hands on these new books!

Submitted by Christy English.

WHS Books

WHS Books

December Students of the Month announced at Bay Elementary

December 12, 2017

Bay Elementary is proud to announce the Kiwanis Students of the Month for December. Congratulations Sammy Souder and Meyshia Kennedy for being selected as the BES Kiwanis Students of the Month. Sammy and Meyshia will attend a breakfast sponsored by the Freeport Kiwanis Club to be recognized for this honor. Submitted by Cindy Stewart.

Come Support a Good Cause at the Cats Against Cancer Basketball Tournament!

December 12, 2017

Cats Against Cancer Schedule:

Friday (12/15)

5:00 (Girls) - Florala vs. Walton

6:15 (Boys) - Paxton vs. Walton

7:30 (Girls) - Paxton vs. South Walton

Saturday (12/16)

1:00 (Girls) - Walton vs. Marianna

2:15 (Boys) - Walton vs. Central

3:30 (Girls) - Central vs. Florala

4:45 (Boys) - Paxton vs. Navarre

6:00 (Girls) - Paxton vs. Graceville

Submitted by Kalli McMillan.

Walton Leadership Classes Participate in Mock Trial

December 11, 2017

On Friday, December 8, 2017, three Walton County High School Leadership classes participated in a Mock Trial at the Walton County Courthouse.  Freeport High, South Walton High and Walton High each had students who experienced the roles of Prosecuting Attorney, Defense Attorney, or Witness for the Mock Trial of Frances Mallory v. Taylor Smith.  Participants enlisted the assistance of local attorneys in our area in preparation for the Mock Trial.  Judge Kelvin Wells presided while four judges observed the proceedings.  The four judges were Dan Marcinkowski, retired lawyer; Bailey Rushing, Walton County Public Defender’s Office;  Matthew Richardson, Walton County State Attorney Office; and Cindy Anderson, Emerald Coast Technical College and former Paralegal. A special thank you is extended to each judge for their participation in this event. 

Walton High School won the overall school award after three rounds and received a trophy for their accomplishment.  Certificates were also awarded for Best Witness for the Defense, Best Witness for the Plaintiff, Best Prosecution Attorney, and Best Defense Attorney.  Those were awarded as follows:

Best Witness for the Defense:
William Huff (far left)
Kayla “Cheyenne” Cordle (third from left)
(pictured with Dan Marcinkowski and Cindy Anderson)

Mock trial

Best Witness for the Plaintiff:
Aniston Grabowski (third from left)
William “Billy” Hubbard (second from left)
(pictured with Dan Marcinkowski and Cindy Anderson)

Mock trial

Prosecution Attorney:
William Campbell (far left)
Jessie Messer (second from left)
(pictured with Dan Marcinkowski and Cindy Anderson)

Mock trial

Defense Attorney:
Krislynn McLaney (far left)
Sarah Jackson (third from left)
(pictured with Dan Marcinkowski and Cindy Anderson)

Mock trial

FHS Leadership class with Judge Kelvin Wells (back center) and instructor, Jamey Goddin (far right).

Mock trial

SWHS Leadership class with Judge Kelvin Wells (back center) and instructor, Mandy Rodriguez (far right).

Mock trial

WHS Leadership class with Judge Kelvin Wells (back center) and instructor, Kelley Stephenson (far right).

Mock trial

Submitted by Donna Honish.

WDE Teacher, Tammy Goodman, Receives Emerald Coast Post of the Society of American Military Engineers Grant

December 11, 2017

West DeFuniak Elementary is pleased to announce that Tammy Goodman has been awarded a grant from the Emerald Coast Post of the Society of Amerian Military Engineers.  Ms. Traci DeWar, grant coordinator,  was on-hand to present the grant check.  Out of thirty-one applicants eleven grants were awarded.  Mrs. Goodman's grant titled "Taking Flight" revolves around inspiring students to learn more about the field of aerospace engineering. Students will be learning to fly unmanned aerial vehicles and challenged to extend their knowledge through STEM related books. Submitted by Jessica Dawkins.

Congratulations to FMS District Science Fair Winners

December 11, 2017

Pictured left to right:  Teofilo Tundidor (2nd Place Junior Biological Science), Lilli Arthur (Honorable Mention Junior Physical Science), Selina Li (1st Place Junior Engineering), Olivia Rodgers (3rd Place Junior Biological Science), Taylor Pankow (Honorable Mention Junior Physical Science). Submitted by Sharie Smith.

Freeport Middle School Names Teacher & ESP of the Year

December 8, 2017

Congratulations to the 2017-2018 Teacher and Educational Support Personnel of the Year! 

Teacher of the Year: Mr. Dan Bump (7th Grade Civics)

ESP of the Year: Ms. Kim Dier (Paraprofessional)

Submitted by Chelsea Ellison.

WHS Jazz Band Brings Holiday Cheer to Chautauqua Nursing and Rehabilitation Center!

December 8, 2017

Walton High’s Jazz Band performed last night (Dec. 7) for the Chautauqua Nursing and Rehab residents during their 2nd annual Tree Lighting ceremony.  The Jazz Ensemble played a variety of music which included holiday music to help the residents celebrate the winter holidays in their facility.  All staff and residents were very appreciative of our students as they performed in the main dining hall for about 35 minutes.  

The Jazz Band will perform again this Saturday night (Dec. 9) in front of St. Agatha's Church during the Reflections Lights Around the Lakeyard to conclude their week-long canned food drive to help the church.  The ensemble will play from 5-7:30pm.  

WHS Jazz Band @ Nursing Home

Maude Saunders Artists Paint With "Music in Pictures!"

December 8, 2017

Maude Saunders Elementary School students discovered the power of music through visual arts, classical performance, and classroom presentation on Friday, November 17 when the  Lux Quartet:  Violin (Robin Tozzie & Maggie Ernst), Viola (Amanda Hamilton), Cello (Todd Humphrey) performed while the students painted to the music.  

Presented by the Rosemary Beach Foundation, Music in Pictures is an educational art initiative and juried art contest created in collaboration with professional musicians and university faculty.  Music in Pictures encourages lifelong appreciation of symphonic music, enhances learning and provides educational enrichment. 

Submitted by Krissy Spence and Kathy Harrah

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