During the April 3, 2018 Walton County School Board Meeting, School Board Member Kim Kirby and Superintendent Russell Hughes presented certificates to several Walton County teachers for being recognized by the Commissioner of Education, Pam Stewart, as some of the highest impact teachers in the state of Florida. After analyzing student performance on statewide standardized assessments, it was found that these teachers had a significant positive impact on student learning growth. 

A big congratulations and thank you to these teachers for their hard work in and out of the classroom.  Once again, proof that Walton County is the best school district anywhere.

Pictured from left to right are:  Kim Kirby, WCSD School Board member; Conor Voreis - Freeport High School;  Nicole Ludwig - Freeport Elementary School; Pamela Lathinghouse - Maude Saunders Elementary School; Nina Thornton, Sandy Love, Diana Gillis - Walton Middle School; Michael Farrar - Freeport Middle School; Susan Rockman, Angela Ellison, Kimberly Davenport, Jessica Cook - Paxton School; Superintendent A. Russell Hughes. Not pictured are Jessica Daniel - West DeFuniak Elementary School; Randa Dewees - Mossy Head Elementary School; and Stacey Knapp - Freeport Elementary School

Submitted by Keitha Bledsoe

On March 28^th 2018 West Defuniak Elementary Kindergarten through 5^th grade had the privilege of meeting the Doctor of Hip-Hop, Dr. Blake Brandes. Dr. Blake received his PhD in Hip-Hop and Global Youth Cultures from the University of Kent. He talked to students about being passionate, determined, and about growth mindset (or changing your brain to think positively). He even created a freestyle rap about things the students mentioned they were passionate about and taught the students how to beatbox. Many students loved being able to practice beatboxing and felt very encouraged to achieve their dreams.

Submitted by Jessica Dawkins

If you wish to become more involved in preventing Child Abuse the Emerald Coast Children's Advocacy Center is a great place to start.  Please see their website for additonal information.

https://www.eccac.org/

The Freeport Middle School Art Department, with Teacher Mrs. Kendra Peloquin, organized a whole school event to share kindness.  #kindnessproject was an event created by art students who wanted share a little kindness to each and every student at FMS.   All students were called out of class at the end of the day to visit the picnic area and participate in kindness activities.  Activities at the event included making a link for the kindness chain, guessing how many Skittles in the water bottle and win, and passing out lollipops and random acts of kindness cards.  Music, lots of bubbles, and laughter filled the air.  Submitted by Kendra Peloquin.