The WMS Literacy Team challenged students to read 25 books at or above their reading level. Those who accepted the challenge had to read 10 fiction, 10 non-fiction, and 5 books of their choice. In addition, students had to  take an “AR Test” and earn  a score of 80 percent or higher on each of the books.  Thirty-five students  met the challenge and qualified to attend the "Fling at the Spring" held at Ponce de Leon Springs on Thursday, May 21st. The attending adults were: (Faculty and Staff)  Ms. Baker, Ms. Deal, Ms. Jones, Mr. Hulion, Mr. Proffitt, Deputy Lloyd, (Parent Volunteers) Rebecca King, Amy Thacker, and Renee Heironimus.

 

Pictured: Students and Staff attending the Fling at the Springs

On Friday, May 1st, Walton County schools with a band and or a chorus were provided the opportunity to showcase their musical talents at the Full Score concert held at the Walton High School auditorium.  City Councilman Ron Kelley emceed the event. Performances ranged from solos and large groups to bands and ensembles. The schools involved were West DeFuniak Elementary, Maude Saunders Elementary, Freeport Elementary, Van R. Butler Elementary, Walton High School, Walton Middle School, Paxton High School, South Walton High School, and Freeport High School.  Congratulations to all the teachers and performers for an excellent evening of music.

Pictured L to R:  Harry Patzig (WHS), Rebecca Austin (Butler ES), Diara Morris (WHS), Gina Ealum (WDE), Renee Riggs (SWHS), Kamber Rafferty (WMS) Angela Saltsman (FES), Cathy Drake (MSE) Also participated but not in picture:  Ashley Goodman (Paxton), Mike Miller (FHS)

MIRAMAR BEACH, Fla. (May, 6 2015) - More than 2,200 Okaloosa and Walton County 3rd-5th graders filled Destiny Worship Center to capacity during two performances on Thursday, April 30 for Sinfonia Gulf Coast's annual Link Up performances, in partnership with Carnegie Hall's Weill Music Institute (WMI).

 As one of 70 orchestras worldwide invited to participate in WMI's Link Up program during the 2014-2015 season, Sinfonia Education & Link Up coordinator Liz Aylor worked with teachers in both districts during the 9-month curriculum, which culminated in students' live performance on voice, recorders and instruments with Sinfonia Gulf Coast. The performance included stunning visuals for the students to follow and perform along with the orchestra, on-stage teacher soloists, and host and vocal/piano pedagogue Ms. Phyllis Hasty.

Recently, District and School-based Administrators attended the first Teacher Job Fair sponsored by the Panhandle Area Educational Consortium in Quincy, Florida. As a result of the collaboration between PAEC, the Teacher-to-Teacher Network, and the School District, over 200 resumes were submitted to Walton County related to critical shortage teaching areas such as math, science, foreign languages, and ESE. Participating in the recruitment effort was Sonya Alford, Human Resource Director; Tammy Smith, Elementary Principal; Jason Campbell, Middle School Principal; and Russell Hughes, High School Principal.