District News

Sinfonia "Linked Up" with Okaloosa & Walton County 3rd-5th Graders

June 3, 2015

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.

3rd and 5th graders

Emerald Coast Woodturning Guild Visits FMS

June 1, 2015

Freeport Middle School is always  pleased to have the Emerald Coast Woodturning Guild visit. A special thanks to these great gentelmen, Earnest Nettles, Harry Wheeler, Bill Cunningham, and Bill Nall (pictured from left to right). The Emerald Coast Woodturning Guild meets at the Freeport Community Center every second Saturday of the month from 9am-noon. 

Job Fair Results in 200 Resumes

May 26, 2015

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.

MSE scholars

May 25, 2015

Walton Middle School guidance counselor Jodi Campbell met with future Warriors at Maude Saunders this week to help them prepare for middle school life.  Her visit to MSE was followed by a tour of the middle school.  The MSE scholars are excited about becoming Warriors and Joseph Sanders wore his new WMS shirt and best academic face to show he is ready!

Bay Elementary Kiwanis of the Month

May 5, 2015

These are the Bay Elementary Kiwanis of the Month. Congratulations Hayden Porter and Reese Carter the B.E.S. Kiwanis Students of the Month.

Music in Pictures

May 4, 2015

Maude Saunders Elementary school art teacher Kathy Harrah was joined by a few of the artists from the Music in Pictures program recognition.  Alex Dobson, Gavin Hall, Krista Laviolette, and Emalee Wright are pictured.  The rest of the scholars were recognized at the school on Monday and all received medals for their outstanding artwork.  Congratulations, artists!

4th Annual Music in Pictures Awards Announcement

May 1, 2015

MUSIC IN PICTURES Student Art Exhibit


March 9 – April 17, 2015
Amavida (Rosemary Beach), Sacred Heart Hospital, and Coastal Branch Library


MUSIC IN PICTURES is a year-long educational art initiative presented by Rosemary Beach Foundation. Created in collaboration with professional musicians and university faculty, the program is open to ALL students in grade K-12 in the Walton County school system--both public and private.

Fifteen Walton County Schools are participating in the 2014/2015 project.
Public: Bay Elementary School, Emerald Coast Middle School, Freeport Middle School, Freeport High School, Maude Saunders Elementary School, Mossy Head School, Paxton School, Seacoast High School, Seaside School, South Walton High School, Van R. Butler Elementary School, Walton Middle School, Walton High School Private: South Walton Montessori School and Treehouse Montessori School

The 2015 awards are divided into four categories:

  • Best in Show
  • Grand Prize Winners
  • Chairman Awards
  • Medalists

2015 BEST IN SHOW

Tyler Johnson Van R. Butler Elementary School Elementary
Sofia Papagni Emerald Coast Middle School Middle
Linda Leann Ivey South Walton High School High

2015 GRAND PRIZE WINNERS (Grade Level)

Lindsay McMahon, Van R. Butler Elementary School, K
Madisyn Catalono, Van R. Butler Elementary School, 1st
Bella Fisher, Van R. Butler Elementary School, 2nd
Aven Helms, Mossy Head School, 3rd
Alyssa Rawls, Paxton School, 4th
Madison Hongyee, Emerald Coast Middle School, 5th
Nylah Mateen, Emerald Coast Middle School, 6th
Jacob Fazio, Seaside Neighborhood School, 7th
Hanna Sumpter, Seaside Neighborhood School, 8th
Caroline Murphy, Seacoast Collegiate High School, 9th
Dillon Dewitt, South Walton High School, 10th
Cierra Amaya, South Walton High School, 11th
Lizette Villalebos, Walton High School, 12th

2015 Chairman Awards (School)
Sophie Hezinger, Bay Elementary School, 1st
Karen Yanez, Emerald Coast Middle School, 8th
Zakirah Way, Freeport Middle School, 5th
Camryn Hepner, Freeport High School, 10th
Ollinca Soto Yovis, Maude Saunders Elementary School, 3rd
Kira Young, Mossy Head School, 5th
Gwen Ramsey, Paxton School, 4th
Gage Martin, Seacoast Collegiate High School, 10th
Ethan Skinner, Seaside Neighborhood School, 6th
Olivia Sanders, South Walton High School, 11th
Max Hanson, South Walton Montessori Academy, 3rd
Samantha Torrey, The Tree House Montessori School, K
Sawyer Roberson, Van R. Butler Elementary School, 4th
Kiley Johnson, Walton Middle School, 6th
Ren Wright, Walton High School, 10th

The artwork of 335 Medalists will also be on exhibit.

Notice of Grant Application

April 29, 2015

If you have questions or comments regarding the proposed grant application, please contact:

Jaime Mitchell
TSA, Federal Programs Specialist
Walton County School District
145 Park Street
DeFuniak Springs, FL  32435
Phone: (850) 892-1100 Ext. 1444 
Email: mitchellj@walton.k12.fl.us

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