|
|
|
|
CONNECTIONS, the Walton High School e-Newsletter
Sharing Walton Stories to Inspire and Applaud
|
|
|
|
Missed this Week's Announcements?
Archived e-Blast from 9/7/2014
|
|
|
WHS Builds Community, Leadership and HOPE... One HOME  at a Time
Since its founding in 1996, Walton Habitat for Humanity has encouraged students to participate in providing safe, affordable homes for local families in need. Our goal is to foster a greater sense of community through a joint effort of schools, community donors, local businesses, and our local Habitat office. Students successfully built their 17th house this past spring. The new owners are the Hamilton family whose family of four had been living in a one bedroom apartment. Now, the Hamilton children will grow up in an affordable home in the Kennesaw area.
In the words of one of our student board members, Timmy W., the build offered a unique experience because students were able to meet and work alongside the families they were helping. He went on to explain that Habitat offers an eye-opening experience for students to realize there are people in need within their own community. Our students and community have helped provide the Hamiltons with the space, security, and financial stability to raise their family.
A common misconception the public has of Habitat is that families receive their home as a donation. In reality, the family must purchase the home with a twenty-year, $100,000 mortgage. This is made possible through an interest free loan and a down-payment of sweat equity. Homeowners are required to help build their own homes, as well as the homes of other Habitat families.
In order to participate in local builds, Walton and the other high schools in our coalition must raise $60,000 to fund the materials and contract labor for the build. Walton students spend thousands of service hours participating in fundraisers during the fall semester to achieve this. Several local businesses, including Bagelicious, Moe's, Chipotle, Subway, and Whole Foods have supported us over the years by providing food for our builds while Chick-Fil-A allows us to collect donations outside their restaurant. If you would like to support Walton's next Habitat house, you can participate in our upcoming fundraisers like "Walton Spirit Night" at Baked on 10/1, 10/29, and 12/10 or the "Horse Plop Bingo" raffle with top prizes of $3000! For more information about the Habitat Builds, fundraising projects or to make an online donation, go to our website at WHS Habitat for Humanity.
David Dewar
WHS Habitat for Humanity Teacher/Sponsor
|
|
Walton Launches New
S.T.E.M. Academy!
The first WHS S.T.E.M. Academy cohorts have settled into their coursework and are enjoying the challenges of their program. These freshmen students have demonstrated a desire and passion to pursue one of three majors: Advanced Science and Mathematics, Engineering or Medicine. S.T.E.M. Academy students will take 4 years of their major courses along with honors and/or AP science courses. Senior S.T.E.M. students will take part in a cumulative research project and will have a STEM Academy designation on their WHS diploma. Applications for the WHS STEM ACADEMY Class of 2019 will be accepted starting in the spring of 2015.
STEM is an acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math.. Our country's innovation and competitiveness depends on a STEM workforce to generate ideas and support the growth of our economy. Nationally, businesses are demanding a STEM literate workforce and our education systems are responding with programs and curriculums that emphasize the importance of this area. In Georgia, STEM education is defined as an integrated curriculum (as opposed to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics taught in isolation) that is driven by problem solving, discovery, exploratory project/problem-based learning, and student-centered development of ideas and solutions. The saturation of technology in most fields means that all students - not just those who plan to pursue a STEM profession - will require a solid foundation in STEM to be productive members of the workforce.
At Walton, STEM education is not confined to participants in the STEM Academy or to the math, science or technology classrooms. To prepare our students with 21st Century skills, an emphasis on project-based learning is incorporated throughout the curriculum. This approach encourages deep exploration of a problem, allows student groups to develop alternative solutions to the issue and then gives them the opportunity to plan, organize and conduct research to test the viability of their solution. The skills gained through this process are essential for the 2lst century workplace and will enable the next generation to tackle complex issues like environmental stewardship, allocation of resources, and global politics.
"Parents are an untapped resource for promoting STEM motivation and can produce significant changes in their children's academic choices," according to research published in Psychological Science. Decisions made in high school can broaden a students range of opportunities for college and in the workplace. "The pipeline leading students toward careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, begins leaking in high school, when some students choose not to take advanced mathematics and science courses," the study says. "It is essential to mobilize all potential resources for motivating adolescents to take courses that will best prepare them for their future." If you would like to explore STEM careers with your student and learn what courses they should consider taking during high school, follow this link for more information and inspiration. STEM JOBS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
WALTONSTRONG
MIND
BODY
SPIRIT
LEARN SOMETHING NEW EVERY DAY!
As we age, we begin to realize the importance of brain health. Memory loss and a slowed thought process can become a part of everyday life. Similar to how we lose muscle when we don't engage in physical exercise, we also experience a loss in our brain focus if we don't continue to challenge ourselves mentally. The good news is your brain is like every other muscle in your body; you CAN grow it!
Learning isn't just for school children. There is a reason why the old saying that someone is "well-read" is a compliment. We need to challenge our minds daily! "He who stops being better, stops being good." Oliver Cromwell
Wondering where to start? Here are a few suggestions you can consider to
pump up your brain:
- Pick up a new hobby
- Learn how to perform CPR
- Explore the science of relationships
- Try a new recipe or a new cuisine
- Study nutrition and fitness to take control of your health and wellness
- Take a workshop in time management techniques
- Watch a documentary
- Peruse a site with content discovery tailored to your interests. Check out Stumble Upon
- Learn a new language
- Read Motivational or Inspirational Books
- Stay current with daily news and subscribe to periodicals with subjects that interest you.
At the end of each day, take a moment to reflect and ask yourself, "What did I learn today?" Make this practice one of your health building habits to incorporate into your life. Don't get comfortable with what you know. Expand on your knowledge to improve your brain health. Constantly and purposefully challenge your mind!
Jill Gregory, Certified Nutritionist and Fitness Trainer
PTSA Health and Wellness Chair
For more inspiration and practical tips to make your BODY, MIND, and SPIRIT STRONG, please visit our Pinterest page.
 WaltonPTSA
|
|
The WHS Website, eBlast,
Connections and The Raider Review
are paid for by funding from your
Visit Our Website to Learn more about Walton's PTSA
|
|
|
|
Take a second and imagine Walton HS with no volunteer support... It would be difficult to duplicate the extraordinary success that Walton has achieved without the contributions of volunteers. Every day, parents, teachers, students and members of the community come together to give their time, talents and resources to a make a positive impact on our school. The PTSA's new program, "Turning YOUR Passion into Action," will capitalize on the wealth of abilities and talents of the parent population in the Walton district. A brief survey, designed to identify subject experts across many fields, will be used to offer parents the opportunity to meaningfully utilize their skills to meet specific needs at Walton. Skill-based volunteerism taps into the incredible potential of our community and exponentially impacts the quality of the educational experience at Walton.
Think about your professional skills, your hobbies and interests, and consider the ways you would like to share these abilities at Walton. The survey should take about 2 minutes to complete. Ready?
Here is the link to take the survey now: "Passion Into Action"
 As an added bonus, Zeal, a modern eatery in Market Place off Johnson Ferry, has donated $50 gift certificates that will be awarded to (3) lucky winners of a random drawing of survey participants! You can start reaping the benefits of volunteering just by filling out the survey. *Forward this e-blast to your spouse, friend or neighbor to complete their own survey. Thanks for your support!
|
| |
|
|
