District News

NASA recently allowed Paxton School's eighth grade science students to program a space camera onboard the International Space Station to take pictures of landforms on Earth as part of the EarthKam program. They were able to snap this photograph of the San Martin Lake, nestled in the snowy Andes in the southern region of Argentina. The San Martin is the deepest lake in the Americas at a depth of 836 meters. The unique finger shape of the lake is formed by a series of flooded valleys. Congratulations to the students for carefully examining the Space Station groundtracks and programming the camera to take this photograph as the Space Station flew by.

Submitted by Heather Stewart and Kalli McMillan

Mrs. Donna Timmons’ kindergarten class at WDE recently experienced apple tasting! Students learned that apples have different tastes, compared the different tastes, and decided which flavor of apple they liked best. Students recorded their experience in a scientific manner by creating a graph of their favorite apples. The class also enjoyed making and tasting fresh applesauce. Submitted by Jessica Dawkins

Science comes to life at West DeFuniak Elementary School’s annual Vocabulary Parade on Friday, October 26, 2018.

Students completed the projected in phases throughout the month of October.

Words used for the science themed event were selected from grade level curriculum.

Each students spent time at home planning out their costume and creating a word sign.

Prior to the parade, students made special presentations to their class about the word they selected.

It was an exciting month of learning and fun that culminated into an amazing parade of words.

Special thanks to our WDE parents for helping their children make such fabulous costumes.

Submitted by Darlene Paul

This past Saturday the Walton High School Marching Braves Band attended the Pea River Marching Band Classic in Elba, AL where they competed against 11 other bands from across the Southeast performing their 2018 production entitled Fractured Mind. In prelims the band awards received Best in Class 1A Band, Colorguard, and Drum Major and qualified to compete in the Finals competition that night. In finals the Band once again received Best in Class 1A Band, Colorguard, and Drum Major. In addition, the Band placed 3^rdPlace overall with a final score of 88.020 and the Colorguard place 1^stPlace overall with a final score of 97.000.

Superintendent Hughes stops in during lunch, eats chicken and rice in the cafeteria, then plays 4-Square with ECMS 6th grade students! #reallyBeingthere #ItsAllAboutTheStudents

Congratulations to the Freeport High School Sunshine Band and their Director, Michael Miller, for their success at the Dixieland Marching Band Competition at T. R. Miller HS in Brewton, Alabama on Saturday, October 27!

The band received Superior Drum Major, Superior Colorguard, Superior Band, Best in Class Drum Major, Best in Class Colorguard, Best in Class Band!!! Way to go FHS Sunshine Marching Band!!!

The Arts are a vital partnership in the mission of “Preparing the whole child for a life of Success”! We are doing great things in the WCSD in this area! Enjoyed band students and Mr. Lyons while visiting ECMS! #FineArtsStrong #ArtsEd

Congratulations to Emerald Coast Middle School Cross Country Teams for a great showing at the Middle School State Championships in Lakeland Florida this weekend. The girls finished 5th out of 38 teams and Ava Flaherty led the way with the time of 11:39. The boys finished 8th out of 50 teams and Payne Griner led the way for the Stingrays with the time of 10:43. Great season!

Submitted by Karen Wright

The Paxton FFA students and art students went to Auburn University. They toured the raptor center, the small animal clinic at the vet school and the beef lab. They also made a visit to the Jule Collins Smith art museum.
Submitted by Corrine Wilson

Freeport Middle School participated in Red Ribbon Week, October 22-26. "Life is your journey. Travel drug free," was this year's motto. FMS signed the banner, wore red, dressed as cartoon characters, guessed how much candy in a jar, participated in fitness contests, and participated in an art contest. Way to go FMS! Submitted by Kendra Peloquin