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Missed this Week's Announcements?
Archived e-Blast: March 15, 2015
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 WHS COMMUNITY OUTREACH CLUB:
Students Serving Our Community
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Walton Community Outreach (WCO) is one of the largest service-oriented clubs at Walton High School. Since 1991, this student-led, PTSA sponsored service organization of over two hundred members has supported the community through a variety of ongoing projects and programs. One of our most meaningful and unique commitments involves providing companionship to the senior citizens at Arbor Terrace of East Cobb, located on Johnson Ferry Road.
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Miss Eugene w/
WCO President, Victor Zhang
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Arbor Terrace is an assisted living center and memory care community. On Sunday and Thursday afternoons, a rotating group of about 50 WCO members look forward to spending time with the senior residents playing bingo and socializing. The rounds of bingo are very lively, often competitive, and always peppered with entertaining and enlightening conversations. The residents have many life experiences to share including their previous careers and family stories. They look forward to hearing from the students about what is going on in their school and social lives. Victor Zhang, President of WCO, reports he likes to play bingo with the residents, but chatting with them can be equally, if not more fun and rewarding. This year, the students have even been helping some of the residents learn how to use their phones, iPads and social media. The students and residents each have valuable knowledge to share with each other. One of the highlights of each semester comes at the end when the WCO members present a "variety show" of singing, dancing and playing instruments for the residents. We also share some sweet treats!
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| | WCO's Gracelyn Thrash plays Bingo w/ Arbor Terrace Residents Ms. Bernice and Mr. Ed |
Susan Robbins, Arbor Terrace Location Director, tells us that WCO is a "great partner" and they are "excited to have [WCO] join us in making our residents' day a little brighter." As for the residents, they let us know how much they appreciate the open hearts extended by the students of WCO . They look forward to Sundays and Thursdays and are always eager to get things started when the "kids" arrive. Mr. Ed, one of the residents, says, "The volunteers are wonderful and it's just nice to have their younger voices around to add a little life to the place." Ms. Bernice often shares words of wisdom, and she claims, "The kids are good! They build up the morale."
WCO strives to treat the residents with the same respect and compassion that we all like to receive, and we learn life lessons and gain fulfillment in the process. Arnold Schwarzenegger once said, "Help others and give something back ... you will discover that while ... service improves the lives and the world around you, its greatest reward is the enrichment and new meaning it will bring your own life." WHS students are discovering these rewards each week at Arbor Terrace. For more information on our many programs, please visit our website at WCO.
Thomas Button, WCO/Communication Leader
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PTSA Sponsors Classes at WHS
Health and PE classes have enjoyed guest instructors over the past few weeks. These PTSA funded classes enrich the curriculum and provide our students with highly trained, certified professionals in each field.
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| | MAX Defense Empowers Seniors |
The week of 3/9,
Steven Spivey of Max Defense taught self-defense classes in Health. He also taught a class for the senior girls during WEB, and a community class. Students learned how to use the "great equalizers", adrenaline and fear, to successfully defend themselves against a bigger and stronger opponent. Steven also covered awareness skills, verbal skills and how to use body language to convey confidence. These skills will carry over in all areas of life.
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| | Lisa Jones instructs PE Class in Yoga 101 |
Lisa Jones of East Cobb Yoga Sol taught a 4-part Yoga 101 class during P.E. Students were introduced to the fundamentals of yoga including relaxing breathing exercises. They worked to build strength, increase flexibility and improve balance and core stability. Lisa will also teach an 8-lesson series from Mindfulness in Schools' Stress Reduction Curiculum (MBSR) in Health this Spring as a PTSA pilot program. Practice of MBSR has exploded over the last 5 years as a research-based strategy to increase focus and attention, reduce stress and anxiety, improve academic and athletic performance, and improve overall health. The PTSA is pleased to support the acquisition of these important life skills through the WHS Health and P.E. classes.
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 WHS Drama Club Presents
Show Times:
Mar. 26, 7:00,
Mar. 27, 7:00,
Mar. 28, 2:00 &
7:00
The Crucible, written by American playwright, Arthur Miller, is a story of a young farmer, his wife, and a young servant-girl who maliciously causes the wife's arrest for witchcraft. The Broadway production won a Tony Award for 'Best Play" in 1955 and has become an icon of American Drama. Reserved or general admission tickets can be purchased at the door or on-line at Tickets. Come out and enjoy the show!
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WALTONSTRONG
MINDBODYSPIRIT
PTSA Sponsored Nutrition Classes Enjoyed by WHS Faculty & Staff
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| | Jill Gregory discusses nutrition strategies with WHS teachers. |
"Thank you!" to PTSA Health and Wellness Chairs Jill Gregory and JoAnne Hammermaster who recently hosted a seminar for WHS staff entitled, "Nutrition is the Key". The teachers learned how to manage cravings and plan nutritious meals with their busy schedules in mind. They also enjoyed taste testing several delicious recipes and commercially available healthy snack products. Thanks for keeping our teachers & staff WALTON STRONG!
For more inspiration and practical tips to make your BODY, MIND, and SPIRIT STRONG, please visit our Pinterest page.
 WaltonPTSA
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Raider Pride Scholarship
Each year the WHS PTSA recognizes those students that have received the Raider Pride award during their tenure at WHS by awarding two $1000 scholarships, one to a female and the other to a male in the current graduating class. Raider Pride Award winners from the 2015 class are encouraged to apply for this scholarship. The application deadline is Friday, April 3, at 4:00 pm. For more information, please visit our webpage at Raider Pride Scholarship.
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PTSA Board Adopts Resolution Supporting Funding for Quality Education in Georgia
On March 9th, the Board adopted a Resolution stating that the Walton PTSA strongly supports the action of its elected officials to work with the PTSA, students, educators, community and business members to eliminate education funding cuts and to improve public education funding in order to provide the high quality public education essential for students of all abilities and demographics to compete successfully in an increasingly competitive global economy, and for our communities, businesses, County and State to be the best places to live, to attend school, and to work. The Walton PTSA strongly encourages its members and the community to consider contacting their elected officials with this message. For a review of the complete document, please see WHS PTSA Resolution
(The Connections eNewsletter, the WHS PTSA eblast and the WHS website are funded entirely by the WHS PTSA. No public funds are utilized to convey this advocacy message.)
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The WHS PTSA will hold our General Meeting at 5:30pm on April 20. We will elect our officers for the coming school year and vote on an amendment to our by-laws that adds a 3rd Vice President of Communications to our Executive Board. Please join us for this brief meeting prior to Honors Night Presentations.
For more information, please visit our website at APRIL General Mtg
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Congratulations to WHS's State PTA Reflection Contest Winners!
WHS freshman, Elizabeth Herrejon, is a state-level winner in the GA PTA's Reflections Art Contest in the Film/Video Production Category, High School Division. Caterina Rossie, a WHS sophomore, is the high school division winner in the Dance Category. Both winners will be honored at a reception held at the Woodruff Arts Center this weekend. Winners advancing to National Competition will be announced at the Awards Ceremony. Congratulations, Raiders!
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