When Will Construction Begin ?

SPLOST was passed, plans were drawn, contracts were bid...but where are the cranes?  As most of you know, construction on the new Walton High School was scheduled to begin this fall.  However, a CCSD Student Population Projection Study released in July shows the current WHS enrollment of 2700 exploding to over 3500 students by the year 2023!  The CCSD immediately commissioned a second company to corroborate these projections. Of course, no one wants to build a facility that will be oversubscribed before it is finished. While the second study is underway, WHS administrators and design teams are working with the CCSD to develop contingency strategies to incorporate any expanded space requirements into the plans.  CCSD Interim Superintendent, Chris Ragsdale, and Cobb County School Board Member, Scott Sweeney, are planning a Town Hall meeting in September to discuss these revisions with the Walton Community.  While a delay in the construction start date may be necessary, all the stakeholders agree that the new WHS facility must be built to adequately accommodate the students in the Walton district and must be designed to fully enhance their educational experience.   

 

 

Smart Snacks in School nutrition standards are now in effect! These Federally mandated nutrition standards are part of the 2010 Healthy Kids in School Act and extends USDA authority from the school lunch program to include all foods and beverages sold to students during the school day. This includes vending, a la carte, school stores, snack carts and fundraising. Cookies, candy, chips, donuts and soda are being replaced with items like nuts or seeds, popcorn, baked chips, fruit cups, low-fat milk, plain water and diet soda.

The Healthy Kids in School Act was enacted to address growing obesity rates among the nation's children and youth. This program stresses access to healthier foods and beverages  because healthy, well-nourished students are better learners!  In addition to seeing a difference in their school meals which now include more fruits, vegetables and whole grains, these new rules mean students will also have access to healthier foods and beverages outside of the cafeteria. To learn more about these guidelines, visit this link on the WHS PTSA Website: SMART SNACKS

  

A special "Thank You" to our Foundation and their supporters!  Contributors to the WHSF's '13-'14 Fundraising Campaign have made a difference in the class sizes at Walton this fall!  Five additional part-time teachers have been hired using funds channeled from the donations of WHS parents, through the Foundation, to augment the number of WHS teachers funded by the CCSD.  Smaller class sizes mean more teacher time per student, both in and out of the classroom, which allows for greater differential instruction and improves student performance. Studies show that smaller classes are correlated with achievement gains.  In fact, "increasing class size has a negative impact on the amount of critical and analytical thinking, the clarity of presentations, the effectiveness of teaching methods, the instructor's ability to keep students interested, and the timeliness of feedback," according to a study from the University of Richmond.