District News

Freeport High School is excited to recognize Ann Turner as FHS's ESP of the Year, and Hillary Williams as Teacher of the Year!

Anne Turner was recognized by her peers as Freeport High School's educational support professional of the year. She works diligently every day to make sure that staff and students are cared for through her work in the Bulldog Cafe.

Language Arts teacher Hillary Williams was chosen as Freeport's teacher of the year. Mrs. Williams frequently goes above and beyond in service of students at FHS. She exemplifies high standards of excellence through her work with all students from her AP courses to those in her reading intervention classes.

The Freeport High School Anchor Club was busy sorting and wrapping pillows after their induction on Saturday, December 14th. They raised almost 100 pillows for RHD and the Children's Advocacy Center in Defuniak Springs.

Winter Break Begins December 20, 2019. During this time, Walton County School District Offices and Schools will be closed.

Teachers & Staff return January 3, 2020

Students will return January 7th, 2020

Superintendent A. Russell Hughes and all of us at WCSD wish you a Merry and Blessed Christmas, and a Happy and Joyous New Year!

Registration is currently open for the 9th Annual Apple Classic 5k/10k run in Hammock Bay, sponsored by the Walton Education Foundation! Check out this website for more information, and a link to register! http://waltonedfoundation.org/appleclassic/

Congratulations to Gabriella Coon and Kaylee Aplin, who have been selected in the top three of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Patriot's Pen writing competition (Gabriella-Middle School Division and Kaylee-High School Division). Both will be attending the Veteran's of Foreign Wars meeting, where the winners will be announced. The entire Paxton family is so proud of these young ladies!

South Walton High School proudly announces their Teacher of the Year, Jenifer Celko/English Honors II; and Educational Support Professional of the Year, Margaret Porter! Please join them in congratulating these two outstanding members of the South Walton High School Team!

(L) Jenifer Celko, TOY / English Honors II
(R) Margaret Porter, ESP

Congratulations to our District Science Fair winners!

In the Junior Division (L to R):
Hunter Lambert - Honorable Mention (Physical)
Colten Phillips - 3rd Place (Physical)
Clara Martin - Superintendent Emeritus Award
Zoe Orange - 1st Place (Engineering)

Paxton Science Fair Winners

In the Senior Division (L to R):
Kaylee Aplin - Honorable Mention (Physical)
Tayten Lehmann and Naydene Higgins - Special Award for Botany

Congratulations to Mrs. Andrea Schiller and Mr. Stanley Parker on being selected as WISE Center Programs Teacher of the Year and ESP of the Year.

Teacher of the Year, Andrea Schiller came to WISE as an ESE teacher in 2017. The following year, Mrs. Schiller transferred from ESE to math for students in grades 6-12. Mrs. Schiller dedicates her time to making math interesting and engaging for all students. She has been successful at getting her students moving, creating and collaborating in new and exciting ways. She is supportive of her peers and is always willing to share knowledge and insight. In addition to her teaching duties, Mrs. Schiller sponsors the STEAM Club, meeting with students weekly after school and participating in regional competitions.

ESP of the Year, Mr. Stanley Parker joined the staff at WISE Center through the In"10"sity Program is August 2017, as an Instructional Aide. From the beginning, Mr. Parker was an invaluable member of the team. Not only does Mr. Parker meet student needs academically, he is also a mentor and voice of wisdom for students. His ability to communicate with students in a kind, compassionate and professional manner has earned him respect and admiration from students, parents and co-workers.

Both Mrs. Schiller and Mr. Parker contribute to student achievement and growth on a daily basis, we are very fortunate to have them on our team.

(Pictured L-R: Andrea Schiller, Jonathan D'Avignon, Stanley Parker)

Cheerleaders dancing in lab coats and goggles to a remix of the "Bill Nye the Science Guy" theme song, flying jets through virtual reality, creating blood, hand and spine models, launching straw rockets, driving robots, and taking photos with a FLIR thermal camera are only a few of the many epic STEM activities Paxton School students participated in during the fourth annual Science Night held last week. Held each year in conjunction with a basketball game, Science Night is a hands-on immersion into STEM- Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics for students of all ages with activities scattered throughout the gym and adjoining weight room.

Students earn a ticket for each activity in which they participate and to culminate the event, winners are drawn from the tickets for lots of fun prizes during halftime of the final game. PHS would like to send out a special thank you to the Northwest Florida Chapter of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics for their sponsorship of the grand prize, a Star Wars BB-9E sphero robot.

Way to rock Science Night, Bobcats!

Walton County School District hosted the National ALICE Train the trainer training at the Carlene Anderson Training Center today. We had a great day of active assailant response training for Walton County School District employees and surrounding agencies.

ALICE Training