Congratulations to Paxton students Samantha Lee and Kaylee Aplin for being recognized for their EPIC writing by the Florida State Poets Association in their 36th anthology: Cadence. Samantha, placing in their poetry contest, had her worked published in the anthology. Kaylee is recognized in the book for receiving honorable mention in the contest. Way to go, ladies!
Submitted by Kalli McMillan
January is National Mentoring Month!
January 9, 2019
If you are interested in making a difference in the life of a child and changing the world for the better, Lori Hughes, the WCSD contact for our mentoring program, will be happy to assist! Contact her at (850) 892-1100 ext. 1443
or by email at [email protected]

Paxton 8th Graders put a Scientific Spin on Christmas Cookies
January 9, 2019
Paxton students never miss a learning opportunity, even on the last day before Christmas break. Mrs. Heather Stewart’s 8th grade Science students took a new perspective when they created their Christmas cookies to look like the Solar System. This project was definitely a fun AND delicious take on space. Submitted by Kalli McMillan
Pictured (L to R): Haleigh Drake, Jocelyn Jones, Summer Pryor, Abby Murphy, Mara Aplin, Bailey Howell, and Anney-Kate Araneo.
Paxton Students Selected for SEUS Honor Band!
January 9, 2019
Outstanding accomplishment!!! Submitted by Kalli McMillan
West DeFuniak Teachers using Avid for their Learning!
January 8, 2019
West DeFuniak Elementary teachers spent their professional day on January 4th learning about grading and reporting of student learning. WDE teachers are making the progression of grading from “earning” to “learning”. After reviewing four challenges to take our grading and reporting to the next level, WDE teachers participated in the AVID strategy of engagement using Philosophical Chairs to dig deeper into two types of grading: Traditional grading practices vs Standards-Based grading practices. Teachers had to read two articles and take a stance on which type of grading they thought was the best. Submitted by Darlene Paul
WCSD January 2019 Monthly Update
January 8, 2019
Local VFW Presents Awards to Voices of Democracy, Patriot's Pen and VFW TOY Recipients
January 8, 2019
At the December 18th School Board meeting, Wade Wilmouth, Commander VFW Post 4437, presented the winners of the Voices of Democracy competition for high school students, the Patriot's Pen competition for middle school students and the VFW Teacher of the Year with their awards.
Pictured are as follows:
School Board Chair, Mr. William Eddins, Jr
Teacher of the YearLance Climer. South Walton High
Voice of Democracy1st Guadalupe Hernandez. Freeport High2nd Makena R. Kimball. South Walton High3rd. Alivia B. Campbell. South Walton High
Patriots Pen. (Paxton)1st Kaylee M. Aplin2nd. Gabriel I. Schofield3rd. Case L. ThompsonSuperintendent Russell Hughes.
Congratulations to each of these students!
The "Snow Queen" Comes to West Defuniak Elementary!
January 8, 2019
Students at West DeFuniak Elementary enjoyed a performance of Hans Christian Anderson’s “The Snow Queen” presented by the Atlantic Coast Theatre. Special thanks to the Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation for making this experience possible. Submitted by Darlene Paul