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Missed this Week's Announcements?
Archived e-Blast: Sunday, Jan 18
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Joe Gandolfo to Speak at PTSA Meeting & Lead Workshops for Raiders' Choice Winter 2015
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Joe Gandolfo's powerful ideas and principles change lives. His mission? Champion the greatest commodity in today's world - our youth, teenagers and young adults! Joe's strategy includes presenting programs to rally, strengthen and energize the adults who work with and care about our young people. Joe will be the keynote speaker at the Jan. 28th PTSA General Meeting at 5:30pm, between the OPEN HOUSE sessions. Join us to explore how changing mindsets can change your relationship with your teenager and give him or her the support they need to succeed!
The WHS PTSA Raiders' Choice Winter 2015 Session will kick-off on Wed. Jan. 28 with the first of a 3-part series, "Conquering the Great Teenage Myth". Gandolfo strips away preconceived notions and negative stereotypes to empower teenagers to accept responsibility for their actions and choose to believe in themselves. Students may choose to attend the 12:50 p.m. session or the 1:40 p.m. session. They are encouraged to take advantage of all 3 workshops: Jan. 28, Feb. 4 and Feb. 11 but attending any of the three will be worthwhile.
For more information, click here: RAIDERS' CHOICE
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WHS Chorus Hits the High Notes!
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Walton Chorus, comprised of 354 students and directed by Dr. Jana Williams and Maggie Taylor, strives for excellence in everything they do. WHS Choir ensembles include: A Cappella, Bel Canto, Camerata Singers, Männerchor, Men's Ensemble, Tour Choir, Varsity Women's Chorus and Women's Concert Choir. These choirs consistently earn top ratings in performance and music reading at the Georgia Music Educators Association Choral Evaluations. We have performed four times for the Georgia Music Educators Association In-Service as model high school choirs and with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra.
 Walton Chorus tours nationally and internationally and has been featured in performance at St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican City, the Notre Dame, Paris, the Basilica of St. Mark's Venice, the Cathedral of St. Patrick's, New York, the Cathedral of St. Stephen's, Vienna, the Duomo Cathedral, Salzburg, Melk Abbey, the American Cemetery, Normandy and the Duomo, Florence. This year's tour took them to Boston where they performed in Marsh Chapel on the campus of Boston University. The service was broadcast on New England's NPR station, WBUR and streamed on the internet.
Walton Chorus plays an important role in our school and local community. They sing at the Homecoming pep rally, at Braves and Hawks games and other civic events. Students sing the National Anthem at many Walton sporting events. Walton Chorus also gives back to our community by collecting money and needed items for Family Promise of Cobb County each December.
Chorus students are leaders in every area of Walton High School. They are top scholars, student government officers, athletes, and actors. Chorus students perform hundreds of hours of volunteer work in our community. Many are also active in community religious organizations.
Dr. Williams credits the success of the Walton Chorus to their outstanding students and the support of the WHS administrators and counselors who help students keep chorus in their busy schedule. Chorus students say they love music and Dr. Williams and Ms. Taylor make the Chorus fun and challenging. Parents also play a part in this success story. Working through the Chorus Booster Club, parents contribute time and money to enable their students to perform at the highest level. One of the largest Booster Club fundraising events is right around the corner!
 The 11th Annual Fashion Show and Silent Auction is scheduled for Saturday, January 31st at WHS. The Auction begins at 6:30pm with wonderful theme baskets and raffle items. At 7:30pm, the Chorus will present "Making a Scene". Chorus students will be modeling prom fashions from Black Tie by Lori and performing musical numbers from the stage and screen. Chorus students are the core of this event. In addition to being onstage, they handle all the backstage tasks and volunteer their time and energy. Tickets are available online at Tickets or at the door.
Come enjoy the show, win some great auction items, and support the WHS Chorus' tradition of excellence. It is such a joy to watch this great group work together to reach the "High Notes!"
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 The Walton Junior Classical League (WJCL), also known as the Walton Latin Club, is a chapter of the National Junior Classical League. People often times only associate our club with academics, but that is just one of our many activities. We "JCLers" engage in a wide spectrum of fun and enriching activities, from taking national exams and competing in certamen (Latin academic bowl) to creating classical art projects and contending in ludi (Roman athletic games). So when people ask, "what do you guys even do in Latin Club?" we struggle to answer not because we do nothing, but because, well, we do almost everything.
 | | Latin Club Members collect for Adopt-a-Family Project |
In addition to our Latin-related activities, we participate annually in a unique program that most people do not associate with Latin Club--Adopt-a-Family. As we have done for many years, we "adopted" a family who needed various basic items to stay warm and healthy during the holiday season last month. Our family of five included two girls (ages 4 and 12) and three boys (ages 6, 7, and 12). When we received the list of items requested by the family, our officers posted a paper Christmas tree with ornaments listing different wish list items. (This year, the boys were particularly into Ninja Turtles and the girls, Frozen.) Many of our members picked the ornaments of the items they wanted to donate to the family, and soon our donation boxes were brimming with scarves, boots, hats, coats, and toys. Once all the gifts were collected, the officers and members gathered for a "wrapping party" during WEB and after school. The Walton Latin Club truly enjoyed being able to contribute to making others' holidays brighter. Although Adopt-a-Family is one of Walton Latin Club's most involved events of the year, our activities don't just stop here. This semester, Walton Latin scholars have many opportunities to achieve their best as we complete national exams, perfect our buzzing skills at certamen tournaments, and strive for the top awards at state convention. For updates on our club happenings and more information, please visit WHS LATIN CLUB
Keren Park, WHS Latin Club |
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The WHS Website, eBlast,
Connections and The Raider Review
are paid for by funding from your
Visit Our Website to Learn more about YOUR PTSA
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WALTONSTRONG
MINDBODYSPIRIT
Be kind to as many people, in as many ways as you can each day. Don't forget to be kind to yourself.
Kindness is good for the heart in so many ways. Obviously, we like when a person shows us kindness. Kindness connects you to people and helps build and strengthen relationships. Acts of kindness create a heart warming joy that actually produces a hormone called oxytocin. With the release of this hormone through your blood stream, research has shown it can actually help lower blood pressure! Nice! AND...this same hormone is also beneficial for aiding in the reduction of inflammation and free radicals associated with aging! Yes! Besides the "what's in it for me?" benefits, random acts of kindness are just the right thing to do. "Paying it forward" is a great example of how kindness spreads. If you ever purchased a cup of coffee at Starbucks for the person behind you or had someone buy for you, you've experienced the warmth! So, be kind everyday. It's good for you and those around you!
Jill Gregory, Walton Health and Wellness Chair
Board Certified Nutritionist and Personal Trainer
For more inspiration and practical tips to make your BODY, MIND, and SPIRIT STRONG, please visit our Pinterest page.
 WaltonPTSA
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Legislative UPDATE
The Georgia Legislature is currently in general session. While the hot topics under discussion have been transportation and a potential tax hike; the number one issue for Georgia citizens is education. Governor Deal has stated that he will support education reforms that allow the state to take over failing schools and proposed a plan to let 10th grade students who pass the SAT enroll into college. Additionally, Deal is proposing changes in our K-12 system that he feels will promote better results in our classrooms and, eventually, in the quality of the workforce in our state. In an effort to keep East Cobb parents informed about legislation that will impact our children, the ECCC PTA is hosting a Legislative Forum on Jan. 28th from 10:00-11:30 am at Mt. Bethel ES. Learn about current education issues (IE2, potential QBE revisions, etc.) and the impact of a high quality education on our students and community from these speakers: Int. Superintendent Chris Ragsdale, CCSD; Ms. Claire Suggs, Sr. Education Policy Analyst with GBPI, and Dr. Dana Rickman, Director, Policy & Research, GPEE.
Cobb County School Board member Scott Sweeney encourages parents to make plans to attend this meeting. "The most important takeaway from the ECCC Legislative Forum will be an understanding of Georgia's budget and process, including its potential impact on K-12 education. Anyone who attends will gain important knowledge to help frame their education funding perspective and then to relay that perspective to legislators charged with approving Governor Deal's proposed budget. I look forward to introducing the panelists, participating in the Q&A and encourage parents throughout the Walton community to attend this important event."
GA PTA Capital Watch:
To keep up with the news about legislation that will affect your children's education, follow the GAPTA Capital Watch. You can access the website here:
Capital Watch
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PLC Hosts OPERATION MIRACLE WHS Commons; Feb 7; 12-4 pm
Miracles do happen every day at Childrens' Healthcare of Atlanta. Join the WHS Principal's Leadership Committee to raise funds for these amazing kids. Buy an awesome t-shirt next week at lunch, get a great meal at Grill Day on the 28th or make a contribution to CHOA. And, make plans to attend the OPERATION MIRACLE celebration on Saturday, Feb. 7. UGA's Operation Miracle Team and Kell High School's OM team will be joining us. Free food and fun! See you there!
More info......
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WHS Student Winners to be Recognized at Symposium
Walton students Adam Schmidt and Vaughn Smith recently won top honors in the 'We're Not Gonna Take It' video contest, sponsored by Attorney General Olens. The students were challenged to produce a 30-second video that encourages a
healthy lifestyle by rejecting prescription drug abuse. Adam and Vaugh will be recognized for their contribution in the fight against drug abuse by the Davis Direction Foundation at their upcoming symposium, "Laws, Limits & Loopholes", as they relate to the opiate/heroin crisis in our community.
The Davis Direction Foundation invites the WHS family to join them at the Marietta First United Methodist Church Family Life Hall at 7:00pm on Jan, 29th. Speakers will include Attorney General Olens; Commission Frank Berry, GA Behavior Health and Disabilities Department; Executive Director Jay Neal, Gov. Office of Transition, Support and Re-Entry; Deputy Chief Gia Compton of the GA Dept of Community Health; and Mr. Jim Seckman, MARR. There will be a demonstration of how to use a Narcan kit and a limited supply of kits will be distributed. For more information, visit the website at Davis Direction Foundation
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 WHS PTSA Teacher & Staff Appreciation Week Feb. 9-13 Help us throw a "Blue Ribbon" week for the teachers and staff of WHS. The County Fair is coming to Walton! We are taking the staff back to the good 'ole days while keeping them Walton Strong in Mind, Body, and Spirit!
*Tuesday, Feb. 10: Farmer's Market- all things good for the body- and some things that just taste good!
*Wednesday, Feb. 11: Old fashioned Ice Cream- always good for the mind on WEB days! Special thanks to Coldstone for providing the ice cream. *Thursday, Feb. 12: Cake Walk- oh so good for school spirit! *Friday, Feb. 13: BBQ luncheon, catered by Smokebelly's. *All week: RAFFLE PRIZES, donated by YOU and local businesses!! PLEASE SIGN UP TO HELP Here: WHS County Fair |
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