CONNECTIONS, the Walton High School e-Newsletter
Sharing Walton Stories to Inspire and Applaud

March 11, 2016

Missed this Week's Announcements?

Archived E-Blast from Sunday, March 6, 2016

PTSA SPONSORS CAREER FAIR
The Walton High School 2016 Career Fair was a huge success. On Wednesday, March 2nd, more than 400 eager Walton students attended the fair and engaged in small group conversations with 20+ professionals representing a wide spectrum of industries--including App Design, Engineering, Aviation, Business, Law, Journalism, Media, Health and Wellness. The Career Fair was designed to assist students in the development of their academic and career plan through exploring a variety of careers and industries. Students had the opportunity to ask professionals about job responsibilities, salaries, experience and education needed to enter these professions.
 
PTSA Co-Chairs Ellen Melcher and Dawn Quinn  want to thank all the professionals who gave their afternoon to offer guidance, provide vision and encouragement to our students. We also want to send a big thank you to all the teachers who inspired their students to attend the event and the PTSA for organizing this incredible event. A special thanks to Teresa Casey and Ann Baxley who encouraged the most students to attend.
 
For more information about academic and career planning please watch this short video A&C Planning


WHS STAR STUDENTS and
TEACHERS HONORED

Jennifer Snoddy, Hideto "John" Mori, Donna Dunham, Eujin Jang, Alan Farnsworth

 
Congratulations to Walton High School's PAGE STAR STUDENT Award winners.  Hideto "John" Mori and Eujin Jang were nominated by Walton for having the highest SAT scores (in one sitting) for our senior class. John chose Jennifer Snoddy as his STAR teacher and Eujin chose Alan Farnsworth as her STAR Teacher.  Our STAR Students and STAR Teachers were honored at the Cobb County STAR Banquet last week.  Donna Dunham, Guidance Dept. Chair, and Principal McNeill were also in attendance.
WHS National Art Honor Society Creates Mural for WHS Commons
In a collaborative project sponsored by the PTSA, 30 WHS National Art Honor Society students created a 50'X10' mural depicting three components of good health. These include drinking plenty of water which is necessary for all bodily functions, getting adequate sleep to restore, repair and rejuvenate the body and brain and eating a balanced diet from a wide variety of quality foods.  Art teacher, Kathleen Petka, plans to display the mural in the Commons.  The PTSA Health and Wellness Committee would like to thank Ms. Petka and her students for creating this incredible work of art that will enhance the well-being of the entire Walton Community! 
Education Advocacy: Standardized Testing

In this week's news at the Capitol, the House Education Committee held hearings on Senate Bill 364, which unanimously passed the Georgia Senate last month.  Sen. Lindsey Tippins, R-Marietta, the author of SB364, was optimistic after the hearing and House Education Committee Chairman Rep. Brooks Coleman has scheduled a vote by the Committee on March 11.

SB364 provides significant reductions in state mandated standardized testing, addressing the number of tests administered, the timing of those tests and the use of standardized test results in the evaluation of teachers and other school personal. The original bill has a broad coalition of supporters from GA PTA, school leaders, teacher organizations, school board and superintendent groups and others. Amendments have been offered by members of the House Education Committee and a consensus version is expected to be presented for a vote this morning at 8:30 a.m. 

SB 364 must pass the House Education Committee, the House Rules Committee, and the full House before the final day of the 2016 legislative session, currently scheduled for March 24. The Senate must agree to any changes to the legislation made in the House. And finally, the Governor must sign the legislation by the 40th day after the legislative session ends. If he fails to sign it, SB 364 becomes law unless Governor Deal vetoes the legislation within the 40-day period, which ends on May 3, 2016.

What can you do?  Stay informed about the progress of this bill and reach out to your elected officials to express your opinions. You can monitor the bill through these sources:

 

Advocate for our children and Georgia's education system by contacting Governor Deal and your lawmakers (Representatives Matt Dollar Sharon Cooper and Senator Judson Hill). Remind them of the importance of real education reform. Share your concerns and experiences regarding testing, loss of instruction time, and the use of standardized test results in teacher evaluations and compensation.

This publication is funded entirely by the WHS PTSA. 
No public funds were used to convey this message.

IN THIS ISSUE
Career Fair
WHS STAR STUDENTS
Art Society Creates Mural
Education Advocacy
PTSA Sponsors Health Lectures
GARAGE SALE/RECYCLING
Drama Club Tickets on Sale
WaltonStrong
PTSA Sponsors Nutritional Lectures in Health Classes

This week, Jill Gregory, a
IBNFC Certified Nutrition Consultant, spoke to all seven WHS Health classes on the topic, "Nutrition:  Fuel for Academic and Athletic Performance".   Gregory highlighted the importance of eating a balance breakfast to start off the day with fuel and energy for the brain.  Protein, good fats and carbohydrates all play vital roles in focus and attention.  Processed sugar produces wild fluctuations in blood chemistry and diminishes academic performance.  Just as a Ferrari demands premium fuel for peak performance, our bodies need high quality fuel sources to maximize our potential to learn and perform on assessments.  To maintain this level of performance throughout the day, Gregory recommends eating a balanced small meal or snack every 3 hours.  She also stresses the importance of drinking enough water and limiting sodas and other sugary drinks to occasional consumption.
 
Gregory talked about the importance of getting 7-8 hours of sleep each night.  Sleep is necessary to recharge our bodies and learn new material.  During sleep, our brain organizes and stores information, a critical process in mastery of any subject.
 
Finally, she discussed forming good habits and identifying and discarding unhealthy habits. She noted that a habit entrenched for years is a greater challenge to conquer than one that is only a few months old.   

If you have questions or would like more information, you can contact Jill on Facebook:
   
HUGE
GARAGE SALE
& RECYCLING DAY!
 
Don't miss the WHS Band's Gigantic Garage Sale tomorrow, March 12th, from 8am-3pm!  Encompassing both WHS gymnasiums, the sale offers treasures donated by over 400 families.  From pianos to sports equipment and all categories in-between, you will be sure to find that perfect item at a great price and support the programs of the WHS Band with your purchase.  A metal and paint recycling fundraiser will also be held in the parking lot during the garage sale. 
 
For more information, click here: RECYCLING FUNDRAISER

WHS DRAMA CLUB Presents:

"9 to 5"

March 17, 18, 19

Get your tickets today: TICKETS

 

 

 

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