The past few weeks, Mrs. Heather Stewart's Critical Thinking class has been working on Christmas gifts for their teachers. They have been making personalized paw print soap. They first designed what they wanted the soap to look like in Tinkercad (a design program) and printed a model on the 3D printer. Then, they placed two of the models in a box and poured a liquid silicone over them to create a soap mold. Next, they melted glycerin and added mica powder for color and poured it into the mold. After allowing it to sit for a couple of hours, they had pawprint soaps that look just like their 3D design! Great job!

At a recent science club meeting, members created geode ornaments to take home to hang on their trees or give as gifts. Students used a combination of glitter glass, acrylic paints, epoxy resin, hardener, and spray adhesive to adorn their plastic ornaments. What a fun way to use science to spread holiday cheer!

Grasses in Classes at MSE

Our third graders are participating in Grasses in Classes, a hands-on, environmental education program that gives students a direct role in the restoration of Choctawhatchee Bay through the growing and planting of shoreline grasses. Yesterday, they dissected the smooth cordgrass and examined the leaves, stems, and roots. The program instills a love of local habitat, restores shoreline, and inspires the next generation of watershed stewards.

Congratulations to Walton Middle School art student Bethany Waites for having her artwork selected as the Walton County representative in the Art in the Capitol Competition. Bethany's artwork will be displayed in the Florida Capitol in Tallahassee during the 2021 Legislative Session.

In July of 2016, the Florida Legislature passed and Governor Rick Scott signed House Bill 701 establishing the Art in the Capitol Competition, a statewide visual arts competition for Florida students in grades 6 through 8. Each school district is required to hold an annual art competition with artwork judged by a selection committee consisting of art teachers. The winning art from each district is then displayed in the Capitol.

On Wednesday, December 16, 2020, Principal Jason Campbell and Deputy Superintendent Dr. Hawthorne congratulated Bethany and her art teacher, Brittany Grant, for this achievement.

This is the third consecutive year that the Art in the Capitol Competition winner from Walton County School District has been a student at Walton Middle School, with art teacher Brittany Grant.

The Freeport Middle School Art Department would like to wish you all very happy holidays with their holiday mural. Every one of the 70 advanced art students participated in the design and drawing of the mural. Way to go students!! See you all next year!

The WISE Pre-K gave a holiday treat from their families. Students sang carols to family and friends. Each class was given time to spotlight their students. The concert was outside with social distancing procedures in effect. Lastly, as principal of the WISE Pre-K, I would like to give a heartfelt thank you to our incredible staff: Faith Anderson, Cindy Bolden, Tyana Kendall, Amy Morse, Sheila Hudson, Justina Pickard, Shannon Mosley, Kimi Parker, Amanda Montgomery, Ashlee Willcox, Debbie McBroom, Jennifer Casey and Michelle Jackson. I am grateful each day for your efforts, you attention to each student and your unyielding compassion.

300 school board members, superintendents, and education leaders attended the 75^th FSBA/FADSS Annual Joint Conference for three days of leadership development training and networking. This was the first Annual Joint Conference to be held virtually. This conference was a joint planning effort of the Florida School Boards Association (FSBA) and Florida Association of District School Superintendents (FADSS), as well as the Florida Education Legislative Liaisons (FELL), Florida Education Risk Management Association (FERMA), Florida School Boards Attorney Association (FSBAA) and the Sunshine State School Public Relations Association (SUNSPRA) focused on public education as an economic driver.

Click the Link Below for full article.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 4, 2020

CONTACT:
Superintendent A. Russell Hughes

FSBA/FADSS Meet Virtually to Learn, Lead Together

Speakers included David Horsager, CEO of Trust Edge Leadership Institute, Dr. Desmond Blackburn, CEO of New Teacher Center, David Weber, an internationally recognized speaker, author, and trainer, and Logan Weber, co-creator of the renowned “My Inbox is Full and I Can’t Get Out”.

FSBA recognized 13 school board members for achieving the distinguished Certified Board Member status, and FADSS honored the Superintendent of the Year. The Consortium of Florida Education Foundations presented a School Board Star Award and Superintendent Star Award. The Sunshine State School Public Relations Association presented the Outstanding Superintendent Communicator Award and Margie Davidson Leading Light Award. Excellent workshop facilitators covered thought-provoking content covering a variety of topics.

“Since our December 2019 Annual Joint Conference, external factors beyond our control have required the world, including the educational community, to transition and transform. It was vital that superintendents, school board members, and other education professionals from across the state were able to gather and network-virtually-to receive information and inspiration. Our members will return to their school districts more equipped and encouraged to fulfill their role in and commitment to ensuring that all students are provided with a learning environment leading to success,” commented FSBA Executive Director Andrea Messina.

“During the last 10 months, board members, educational staff, and superintendents have experienced an increase in demands and responsibilities leading to expedient plan development, implementation, and evaluation. It was important for these educational leaders to come together and receive training in the best practices for public education leadership, while sharing goals, challenges, and successes. FSBA members will exhibit a renewed commitment to student success because they are stronger, wiser and better,” commented FSBA President Jane Goodwin (Sarasota).

Locally, Superintendent A. Russell Hughes attended the conference virtually along with the Walton County School Board, which included two new board members, Mrs. Tammy Smith and Mrs. Jeri Michie. Board member Kim Kirby added, “FSBA did an amazing job in helping participants in the virtual conference feel connected and engaged. There were many great keynote speakers and breakout sessions, but I especially enjoyed a break-out session entitled ‘Investing in Students & Building Future Ready Workforce Pipelines’. This session focused on paid internships for students which provides them with an opportunity to ‘try on’ a career through work-based learning, while building social capital networks, that helps to lead students to high skill and high wage jobs that our supported by our regional workforce.” Superintendent Hughes also found the joint conference beneficial saying he always appreciates time to learn from other districts, especially in relation to challenges and opportunities.

The mission of FSBA is to increase student achievement through the development of effective school board leadership and advocacy for public education.

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Award Recipients

2020 FADSS Superintendent of the Year

· Dr. Diana Greene (Duval)

2020 FSBA Certified Board Members:

· Melissa Byrd (Orange County School District)

· Karen Castor-Dentel (Orange County School District)

· Victoria Defenthaler (Martin County School District)

· Sarah Fortney (Polk County School District)

· Sandra Gilyard Putnam County School District)

· Lori Hershey (Duval County School District)

· Ruby Knox (Gulf County School District)

· Leanetta McNealy (Alachua County School District)

· Linda Prescott (Hernando County School District)

· Gloria Reese (Glades County School District)

· Cara Reynolds (Charlotte County School District)

· Nancy Thrower (Marion County School District)

· Sue Woltanski (Monroe County School District)

2020 CFEF School Board Star Award:

· Mary Bolla (Clay County School District)

2020 CFEF School Board Superintendent Star Award:

· Cynthia Saunders (Manatee County School District)

2020 SUNSPRA Outstanding Superintendent Communicator Award:

· Dr. Debra Pace (Osceola County School District)

2020 SUNSPRA Margie Davidson Leading Light Award:

· Megan Magamoll, Take Stock in Children Program Coordinator (Marion County School District)

WDE fourth grade students were engaged in deep learning and discussion about resourcefulness and how music influences emotions. These students were spot on with the level of understanding of these standards and topics exemplified in their group discussions. Two great topics played out in two classrooms that have teachers who are Walton County School District Graduates as well as the spouse of a WCSD Teacher…. (Mrs. Adkinson, Ms. Campbell, & Mrs. Ingle). Resourcefulness in action! The emotional part for Superintendent Hughes was to see one of his Walton High School students when he was principal there teaching! Wow!!!!! Resources that draw many different emotions!!!!! Growing our own is a Great Practice…..EPIC for sure!

Let’s Talk!

Walton County School District is committed to ensuring our students, staff, and community have a safe and productive learning environment that enables each student to reach his or her potential for learning. Our “A+” school district achievements are a result of the collaborative efforts of students, parents, teachers, support staff, administrators, and the community.

We invite you to send your questions, concerns, suggestions, and even compliments through our Let’s Talk system. After clicking on a link in the side bar, your submission will be routed to a school district employee that can best address your need or comment.

We look forward to your submission. Thank you for your assistance in making 2020-21 an EPIC school year!

You may also text us at 850-204-9667.

In the event of an emergency, please call 911.

Where there's smoke, there's learning! Freeport High School environmental science teacher Bruce Bates and his classes partnered with the Florida Forest Service to conduct a controlled burn on campus. Bates' classes will use this burn as an opportunity to study succession as new plants begin to grow in the area. This hand-on-learning also showed students the importance of proper forest management as well as the dangers of human-related uncontrolled burns. Students will continue to utilize the site to study relevant environmental science standards. Staff and Forestry Service crew worked extensively prior to and during the burn to ensure safety. Thank you to the Forestry Service for their work managing the numerous acres around Walton County and for their support with this learning and their positive interactions with our students.

District News

Paxton Students make Paw Print Soap

December 18, 2020

WMS Science Club Creates Christmas Geode Ornaments

December 18, 2020

Grasses in Classes at MSE

December 18, 2020

Art in the Capital

December 16, 2020

Happy Holidays from the FMS Art Department

December 14, 2020

Warm Holiday Greetings From the WISE Center

December 11, 2020

FSBA/FADSS Meet Virtually to Learn, Lead Together

December 9, 2020

Superintendent Hughes Visits WDE

December 9, 2020

Let'sTalk

December 7, 2020

Let’s Talk!

Where There is Smoke, There is Learning!

December 4, 2020