MSE staff recently participated in Professional Development provided by Canopy Behavior Solutions. The presenters shared classroom strategies to help ensure the success of students with autism, including the use of visuals, prompting, and consistency within the classroom and school. Our teachers and staff gained knowledge and confidence in meeting the needs of all students.

Superintendent Hughes stopped in at the Academic Team meet to see our Amazingly Brilliant Students having very healthy, challenging Cognitive Competition between all of our Middle and High Schools in the WCSD. Loved the Collaboration of Braves Bistro and employees at WHS who prepared the meals as well as the many teachers, counselors, sponsors and District Personnel that joined in to make it happen. Simply EPIC!!!!! 

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