October is Down Syndrome Awareness month, so students and staff at Mossy Head School wore blue and yellow to show our support for Down Syndrome Awareness. Down Syndrome Awareness month gives us the opportunity to spread awareness, advocacy and inclusion in our community.
Superintendent Hughes was in Tallahassee, Florida Monday, October 14, 2019, speaking at a Senate Education Committee Meeting on Educator Professional Development. Thank you, Superintendent Hughes, for being a voice for Walton County School District!
Seniors Chelsey Christopher and Jalen Romanski
Seniors Micah Rudzki and Savannah Evans
Seniors Fiona Morris and Tyo Smith
Seniors Madison Hernandez and Turner Porterfield
Juniors Maggie Edwards and Strother Allen
Juniors Chyanne Massey and Pablo Robles
Sophomores Adison Sears and Paul Jacobsen
Sophomores Katie Nelson and Noah Ford
Freshmen Meril Lagasse and Talon Lowitz
Freshmen Ada Roberts and Maris Rudzki
King and Queen: Micah Rudzki and Fiona Morris
Superintendent Hughes held a Town Hall Meeting on Thursday, October 10, at Freeport High School. Topics addressed were Rapid Growth; Educational Impact; Construction and Expansion; Future Goals and Expected Outcomes; and Timelines. Those attending were provided the opportunity to ask questions and offer comments.
Superintendent Hughes says Classroom Walkthroughs are sometimes tough when the Instructional Strategy involves food! Ms. Purdy was armed with her Wheaties in 4th Grade at FES, and Ms. Hudson was teaching triangles to Kindergarten Students using Pizza as a visual. EPIC3 comes with a cost!
Best teachers in the world doing best practices in the world attempting to produce the best students in the world! This is NO EASY TASK; Parents have a lot to be thankful for in WCSD!
Walton Middle School English Language Arts (ELA) teachers are honored to partner again this school year with Christina Gonzalez of Instruction Partners in their professional learning. On Monday, October 7th, Ms. Gonzalez led teachers in a day of professional learning about improving productive engagement and academic discourse. Throughout the day, teachers learned powerful strategies for productive classroom discussions, participation protocols, and increased wait time, among other topics. Ms. Gonzalez also led the team to explore ways to disrupt possible barriers. The teachers formed small groups and listed potential challenges that impede productive engagement in the classroom, as well as viable solutions for overcoming them. The team also worked together to define what an ideal productively engaged ELA classroom looks like at WMS so teachers can have a unified vision of success. Ms. Gonzalez also built time into the day for teachers to develop "commitment cards" with their grade level partners regarding their vision, listing areas they'd like to strengthen, action steps they'd like to take, key learning that will help them enact changes, and support needed from the school's instructional coach Kristen Nelson. At the end of the day, planning partners dove right into planning a Springboard lesson that involved aspects of their new learning.
Christina Gonzalez will return for two more days of professional learning throughout the school year. WMS ELA teachers always welcome not only Mrs. Gonzalez's knowledge and expertise but also her compassion and understanding about the day-to-day life of a teacher. WMS extends many thanks to Instruction Partners for their continue commitment to help strengthen teaching and learning this school year.
#instructUP
The PE department at Walton Middle School proudly supports Superintendent A. Russell Hughes' EPIC3 vision of building curriculum, culture, and character each and every day. This year, Coaches Cindy Jackson, Liz Nelson, Mike Davis, and Ryan Gilbert are striving to integrate character education into their physical education curriculum. In their department's professional learning community (PLC) this year, they are exploring dynamic ideas for addressing the National Physical Education Standard 4, which states, "The physically literate individual exhibits responsible personal and social behavior that respects self and others." Through this aspect of their curriculum, the PE coaches are also addressing the WCSD initiative of building character, making a deliberate effort to develop values that are not only good for the individual but also for society.
On Monday, October 7th, Superintendent A. Russell Hughes and Principal Jason Campbell graciously offered their time to speak to sixth grade PE students about the value of demonstrating positive character traits. In PE so far this year, students have delved into the importance of compassion and persistence. The PE coaches have also encouraged students to nominate teachers who exhibit these qualities, presenting them with certificates for their positive traits.
The Warrior Way mirrors the EPIC3 spirit, as curriculum, culture, and character are paramount this school year, growing each day in the hearts, minds, and lives of WMS students and teachers.
Cover picture--Superintendent A. Russell Hughes, standing alongside Principal Jason Campbell, graciously offered his time to speak to first period sixth grade PE students about the importance of character.
Principal Jason Campbell was honored to speak to second and third period sixth grade PE students about the value of positive character traits.
Sixth grader Cooper Poole nominated his math teacher Mrs. Alred for showing persistence, while sixth grader Eyon Rafuse nominated his art teacher Ms. Grant.
The month of October is Bully Prevention month, and Monday, October 7, was World Bully Prevention Day. Superintendent A. Russell Hughes takes a strong stand against bullying in the WCSD. As a show of support for Bully Prevention, Mr Hughes, and the district office administrators and staff participated in #BlueUp by wearing blue to help raise awareness of bullying and how to prevent it from occurring.
It’s always important to talk about the dangers of bullying and the trauma it can cause. Schools across the district will share information with students, and participate in activities during this month to speak up extra loud about the lasting negative effects bullying can have on those who deal with it. Let’s Stomp Out Bullying Now!
