Walton Middle School hosted "Hearts for the Arts," another successful Title 1 parent training night on Thursday, February 7, 2019.  The event featured a dinner slideshow of creative artwork by Ms. Brittany Grant's art students from the Rosemary Beach Foundation's "Music in Pictures" project.  Artwork from the project also adorned the WMS hallways.  Throughout the night, parents and students rotated through three literacy-themed stations.  One station, led by Ms. Alex Rhodes and Mr. Brendon Murphy, allowed participants to explore the impact of descriptive details on mood and tone through a collaborative lesson.  A second rotation in the library media center, led by Mrs. Kip Baker, informed families about the school's Dave and Buster's reading challenge and all the e-books now available in the LMC.  Families also visited the computer labs and had an opportunity to give their invaluable input about the school by completing the Advanc-Ed parent survey.  In this rotation, Mrs. Gaby Brown and Mrs. Sandy Love showed families how to access the FSA and EOC practice tests and materials on the online Florida Standards Assessment Portal.  Mrs. Diana Gillis and Mrs. Makala Ellenburg, with the assistance of WHS Anchor Club and WMS Builder Club members, graciously entertained young children in the child care center so parents could spend time learning with their older children.  Many WMS teachers and faculty members gave of their time to work together to make the night a meaningful opportunity for celebrating literacy and the arts at Walton Middle School with parents and students.

Submitted by Kristen Nelson

Congratulations to Jessie Miller, South Walton High School, for her successful completion of the Digital Information Technology Certification! 
Jessie is pictured here with South Walton High School's Technology instructor, Richard Komando.

Submitted by Barbara Stratton

Greg Garrett is congratulated by South Walton High School Principal Dr. Alexis Tibbetts for being named a candidate in the U. S. Presidential Scholars Program.

Gregory Garrett, a graduating senior at South Walton High School, has been named one of approximately 4,500 candidates in the 2019 U. S. Presidential Scholars Program.  He was selected from nearly 3.6 million students.  Gregory is President of the South Walton High School Student Government Association, a National Advanced Placement Scholar, and a 2018 Sunshine State Scholar

Inclusion in the U. S. Presidential Scholars Program is based on superior academic and artistic achievements, leadership qualities, strong character and involvement in community and school activities. 

Up to 161 U. S. Presidential Scholars will be chosen from this year’s senior class, representing excellence in education and the promise of greatness in America’s youth.

Scholars will be invited to Washington, D.C. for several days in June to receive the Presidential Scholars Medallion at a recognition ceremony and to participate in events and activities.

Gregory is the son of Robert and Anna Garrett of Freeport, FL.  He plans to attend the University of Florida majoring in Computer Science and Business.

Submitted by Barbara Stratton

Photo by Barb Stratton, SWHS

After reading Little Red Hen Makes a Pizza, Mrs. Allen's PreK class got to make their own pizzas in class. Not only that, school custodian Mr. Dale, brought in his own little red hen for the class to meet. The PreK had a great time playing with the chicken and chowing down on pizza. 

Submitted by Kalli McMillan