This past week, Paxton's PreK class had an exciting visitor. Dakota Cassady of 2 Gals and a Goat brought her 4-month old goat to visit the students. PreK has been studying farms and meeting their new four-legged friend added to their lesson.
Along with a double win against the Baker Gators, PHS ended another successful Homecoming week with the crowning of the Homecoming King/Queen and Mr./Miss Spirit 2020. PHS would like to recognize all members of this year's Homecoming Court (Pictured L to R): Homecoming Representatives - Abby Murphy (and her escort, Lane Carroll - Freshman), Jordyn Bradley (and her escort, Cage Wibbing - Sophomore), Hannah Cain (and her escort, Chase Clifton - Junior), Hailee Bryan and Adam Hall (Seniors), Caylor Dixon and Connor Varnum (Seniors), & Sadie Varnum and Zach Williams (Seniors). Mr./Miss Spirit Representatives - Madisun Maloy and Jacob Morgan (Seniors), Harmony Heitger and Nick Johnson (Juniors), Cassie Varnum and Dante Williams (Sophomores), and Alliyah Young and Kenyon Simmons. Special congratulations to the winners: Homecoming Queen and King - Sadie Varnum and Zach Williams. Miss and Mr. Spirit - Cassie Varnum and Kenyon Simmons.
Homecoming Court 2020
Mr. and Miss Spirit - Cassie Varnum and Kenyon Simmons
Homecoming Queen and King - Sadie Varnum and Zach Williams
Superintendent Hughes attended the 2020 Advanced Placement Capstone Seminar presentations at Freeport High School in Mrs. Bump’s classroom on January 31st.
AP Capstone™ is a diploma program from the College Board. It’s based on two yearlong AP courses: AP Seminar and AP Research.
Rather than teaching subject-specific content, these courses develop students’ skills in research, analysis, evidence-based arguments, collaboration, writing, and presenting. Students who complete the two-year program can earn one of two different AP Capstone awards, which are valued by colleges across the United States and around the world.
National School Counseling Week 2020 (#NSCW2020) is Feb. 3–7, 2020. The week, sponsored by the American School Counselor Association (ASCA), highlights the unique contribution of school counselors within U.S. school systems and the tremendous impact they can have in helping students achieve school success and plan for a career. Take a moment to thank your local school counselor(s). Follow #NSCW2020 on social media.
To learn more about National School Counseling Week, visit www.schoolcounselor.org/nscw
Every month, Mr. A. Russell Hughes, Walton County, Florida Superintendent of Schools, will share a video message with an update on the exciting things happening in the Walton County School District, Walton County, Florida. Check back often to stay informed on all the activities, events and accomplishments of teachers and students in the Walton County School District.
This month's video was filmed at the Walton County School District offices. Superintendent Hughes shares the recent Graduation Rate data, upcoming special events, and introduces the new principal at Van R. Butler Elementary School, Mr. James "Jimmy" Ross.
Mrs. Thorson's seventh grade science students collaborated to create a DNA model using toothpicks and gumdrops to strengthen their understanding that DNA is the genetic material for all living things. In the model, gumdrops represented the four nitrogenous bases. Students were given one side of the DNA ladder based on traits of individuals. Students had to know how to code for the alternate side--higher order thinking at its finest. When finished, students had to make their model twist into the double helix form of DNA. Students also attempted to decode another group's DNA. Students had a blast learning about the building blocks of life.
Text Feature Surgery from Mrs. Donna Stark’s Third Grade Class! Her students analyzed patient records and diagnosed the transplants needed before surgically removing examples of them from magazines and attaching them to individual patient files. Students generated rich conversations among their surgical teams as they collaborated to complete a 30-minute surgical procedure. Special guest, Principal Meredith Spence, observed and enjoyed the project too!
A fireplace roared in the background. Tablecloths adorned each table. Candles flickered. On Friday, January 31st, seventh and eighth grade reading students sampled great books in Mrs. Amber Proffitt's and Mrs. Jade Tucker's classrooms. The two teachers opened the connecting doors between their two rooms, and students rotated from table to table "tasting" each course of books set before them. After each course, students completed their "Book Tasting Menu," ranking books based on their levels of interest. The experience gave students a chance to add new books to their reading lists and was a great bookend for WMS' literacy week.
STEAM Family Night was an EPIC evening with over 140 students in attendance! Hosted by the Dune Lakes School Improvement STEM Committee and their parent organization, Sandpiper Boosters, students and their families were given a Passport and map to rotate through activity challenges. The activities were based on grade level and ranged from Kindergarten’s “How Tall is Your Tower?” challenge to Fifth Grade’s “Boat Float” challenge. Each activity tested participant’s problem-solving skills and encouraged collaboration to achieve goals in distance, weight, height and buoyancy.
Other challenges were “Can You Help Save Sam” and his capsized boat; “Popsicle Stick Catapults,” creating “Giant Snowmen” and “Stack the Cat’s Hat” giving extreme height to the Dr. Seuss story.
Many parents teamed up with their student to test their abilities and strategic plan. As groups collaborated, teachers and volunteers enjoyed hearing comments of encouragement and success from parents and students. Some favorites included: “I’ve got a plan…”, “I wonder if we should…”, “That’s not going to work, Dad…”, and of course “We did it!”
Thank you to the Dune Lakes School Improvement STEM Team, our volunteers and Sandpiper Boosters for making STEAM night a fun evening!
