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Missed this Week's Announcements?
Archived e-Blast: Sunday, Feb. 1
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Matt Staruch Honored as
WHS PTSA Teacher of the Year
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WHS Principal McNeill congratulates
Matt Staruch, Walton's Teacher of the Year
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Matt Staruch, Walton's 2014 Teacher of the Year, was celebrated at the East Cobb County Council TOTY luncheon this week. Known as the consummate educator, Matt has been at Walton for 15 years, first as a teacher and currently as chairman for the Social Studies Department. Voted on by his peers, Matt's reputation as a caring educator helped earn him the honor of Teacher of the Year.
According to Anthony Foti, a Social Studies teacher, "Matt Staruch is one of the most talented and dedicated teachers I have ever known. His willingness to meet the needs of his students is unparalleled and he never fails to inspire the people in his class to invest their time and effort into their work. He is a leader amongst his peers and is never shy about helping out fellow members of the faculty. Matt is universally respected by all who know him, and treats his peers and students with kindness and care."
Travis Gower, another of Matt's colleagues in the Social Studies Department said, "Matt Staruch's desire to do what is absolutely best for students at all times is what makes him a superior teacher. He holds students to the highest of expectations, but holds himself and all of his colleagues to the same. As a department head, he has created a department that thrives on pushing and supporting each other to make sure our collective actions will create the best possible opportunities for our students. His students are pushed more than they ever expected and they love him for it. A teacher like Matt Staruch inspires everyone around him to become a better person."
Roberta Manheim
WHS English Department
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WHS Band Recognized by School Board
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The WHS Marching Band was recognized by the Cobb County Board of Education at the January 29 BOD monthly meeting. The band represented Walton High School, Cobb County Schools, and the State of Georgia in the 126th Annual Rose Parade in Pasadena, CA. This popular and time-honored tradition is one of the country's favorite New Year's events. This is the 3rd time Walton has been invited to take part in the parade and they gave a stellar performance. Go Raiders!
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WHS Student wins Grand Prize,
$20K Scholarship from
Samsung Mobile App Academy
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Aditya Suri, a WHS Jr., created an app he calls Mobi Sense as part of Samsung's Mobile App Academy. Samsung held App Academies in 10 cities last summer. Rising 11th and 12th graders learned about mobile app concept development and coding basics plus the research, logic and design that developers use when conceptualizing and creating mobile apps. Students then submit their app as part of a nation-
 | | Suri's App Removes Communication Barriers |
 | | Screen Shot of Mobi Sense |
wide scholarship competition. Suri's Mobi Sense took the Grand Prize, winning a $20K scholarship. Conceived as an easy-to-use assistive technology to aid communication capabilities for those with visual, vocal or auditory impairment, it will use sophisticated camera tracking algorithms to track hand motions and translate sign language. Mobi Sense has picture and face recognition and will convert pictures into text. Text to speech and speech to text algorithms will allow the user to give voice and sign language commands into the system and convert speech, text, and sign language interchangeably.
Suri says Mobi Sense is an application that brings the community together. Mobi Sense creates an opportunity for freedom of expression using technology to bridge the gap that many people face every day of their lives.
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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 and YOU can be part of the miracle too!
*Plan to attend the WHS OPERATION MIRACLE celebration on Saturday, Feb. 7. UGA's Operation Miracle Team and Kell High School's OM team will be joining us. There will be free food and lots of fun! Meet the Miracle Kids and see the incredible results your support can bring to the life of a child.
*Join the WHS Principal's Leadership Committee to raise funds for these amazing kids. Buy an awesome comfort color t-shirt for $15 in one of 4 great colors during lunch today or tomorrow at the OM Celebration. You can also make a direct charitible contribution to CHOA. Checks (make out to Children's Healthcare of Atlanta) or cash will be accepted at the event!
Thank you for your support and remember;
It's for the Kids!
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 Safety tips when
using online sites
In light of the recent death of a Marietta couple that involved a listing from Craigslist, Cobb County Police Department staff would like to caution buyers and sellers when using online auction and selling sites. Here are some tips for parents and students:
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If it sounds too good to be true, it is probably too good to be true.
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Do not go alone. Always take someone with you when meeting a buyer or seller. Also, be sure to tell a friend or family member about your intentions and where you are going.
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Conduct the transaction in a public place. Ideal locations are a local police precinct or bank. Do not meet in a secluded area.
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Do not invite strangers to your home and do not go to theirs.
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Be cautious when buying or selling high value items.
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Perform the transaction during daylight hours.
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Have your cell phone with you at all times.
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Do not share any personal information, such as bank routing numbers, credit card numbers or computer usernames and passwords.
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Only provide information related to the item you are buying or selling.
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Avoid a seller who refuses to meet face-to-face to conduct business.
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WALTONSTRONG
MINDBODYSPIRIT
Just Breathe!
Slow Down, breathe deeply and reflect for a few moments several times during your day. The benefits of diaphragmatic breathing or belly breathing are many. For example, this type of breathing:
- relieves stress and anxiety
- allows full oxygen and blood flow through the body
- improves sleep
- helps to lower or stabilize blood pressure
Shallow chest breathing can actually create anxiety by not allowing the lungs to fully receive their oxygen capacity.
Begin to practice this daily by finding a quiet place to sit up comfortably. Breathe normally at first paying attention to your breath. Then take a deep breath through your nose that allows your chest and lower belly to expand fully. Exhale slowly while counting to five, through your nose until all of your breath is gone from your lungs and your belly is tight and emptied completely. At the end of this exhale pause and hold for two counts. Do this deep belly breathing through 5-10 cycles.
You can also perform this deep breathing technique anywhere or anytime. Try it before an exam, a presentation or having a stressful conversation. The key is to breathe deeply several times during your day to reap the many benefits!
Jill Gregory, Walton Health and Wellness Chair
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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PTA Legislative UPDATE
The ECCC PTSA hosted a Legislative Forum at Mt. Bethel Elementary last week. Local and state officials addressed the impact of a high quality education on our own children and the economy and prosperity of our county, state and country. In order for students to receive a world class education, funding for resources and support must be provided. Governor Deal has proposed substantial increases in funding for public education. But even if these proposals are implemented, Cobb County will still have an austerity cut of $411.00 per student for this upcoming year. This is why your support for the currently proposed increased education funding is so critical. The proposed budget is a recommendation from Governor Deal to the Georgia General Assembly and still requires their review and approval. The House and Senate has begun this process. Now it is time for our community to engage our elected officials and ask for their support for fully funded, quality education for our state. Please contact the Governor and your House and Senate Representatives and convey the following message:
1.) Thank them for supporting public education and for their commitment to providing the necessary resources to ensure a high quality education.
2.) Ask them to support the Governor's proposed education budget which is a positive step to reducing austerity cuts to public education.
3.) Request that they do not divert any funds from education to other budgets.
Thank you for your support!
To obtain a list of your representatives, CLICK HERE.
For highlights of Governor Deal's budget recommendations, CLICK HERE.
To watch the Education Forum, click for Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3. When available, the presentations, and the compiled answers from the audience questions will be posted as well.
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
(The Connections enewsletter is funded entirely by the WHS PTSA. No public funds support this publication.)
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