STEM training (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) within all levels of education is at the forefront of most education standards. Teachers and students are learning new ways to incorporate STEM training into the classroom; one of those ways is LEGO League. Don’t get too confused, this is not your typical way of using LEGOs.

FIRST® LEGO® League is the most accessible, guided, global robotics competition, helping students and teachers to build a better future together. The program is built around theme-based challenges to engage children ages 9 to 16* in research, problem solving, coding, and engineering. The foundation of the program is the FIRST® Core Values, which emphasize teamwork, discovery, and innovation. Students emerge more confident, excited, and equipped with the skills they need in a changing workforce.

When students are engaged in hands-on STEM experiences, they build confidence, grow their knowledge and develop habits of learning. When adults coach these students, they encourage them to try, fail, and try again, while connecting STEM concepts to real-world examples.

LEGO League is growing in the Walton County School District, and students are responding. While it is still relatively new our students are hitting the ground running. During this tournament season, three of our Walton County Schools had three teams receive bids to compete in the First LEGO League Championship Tournament in Tallahassee, FL. Dune Lakes Elementary (One Step Ahead), Freeport Elementary (Freeport Engineers), and Walton Middle School (Techno Warriors) competed in the regional tournament on February 22nd. The First LEGO State Championship Tournament will be held at Northwest Florida State College on March 27th and 28th. The teams are using every qualifier and tournament to get better and looking forward to a better future through LEGOs.

Article submitted by Stephen Byrd, Walton Middle School

DUNE LAKES ELEMENTARY

TEAM NAME:  1 STEP AHEAD

FREEPORT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

TEAM NAME:  FREEPORT ENGINEERS

WALTON MIDDLE SCHOOL

TEAM NAME:  TECHNO WARRIORS

Thank you to everyone who donated to Change for Children last week! The money Freeport Middle School raised will help feed, clothe and care for children in Freeport! With your help we have raised a total of $1,142.72!

To encourage participation, the class with the most money earned received the opportunity to pie an administrator in the face. Ms. Thomas’s 6th grade class came in third place with $176.63. Second place was awarded to Mr. Hardee’s 6th grade class with $187.09 raised. The class with the most money raised was Ms. Locke's class with a total earnings of $231.68.

Both Mrs. Smith and Mr. Olson received pies to the face from Ms. Locke and her class.

Thank you, Freeport family! 

After extensive district-wide professional development provided by Ms. Beatrice Palls of B & B Educational Consultants, Inc., and collaboration with district and school personnel, we are excited to announce the launch of Walton County School District’s first Newcomer Program for our non-English speaking students.  Van R. Butler has become the flagship elementary school for Walton County’s bold initiative to develop and implement an academic and social program to support our recently arrived immigrants and their families. 

Recently enrolled students who are non-English or limited-English speaking in grades two through five will receive intensive English Language Development and English Fundamentals of Reading instruction in a classroom that has appropriate and culturally- sensitive curriculum aligned to Florida Standards.  In addition, the students will participate in cultural awareness activities that are designed to assist them in acclimating to their new country.  We are looking forward to the success of these students and this program.