During the March 21, 2017 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. 

Pictured left to right: Superintendent Russell Hughes, Carol Davis, Van R. Butler Elementary; Wendy Anderson, Van R. Butler Elementary; Taylor Griffith, Seaside Neighborhood School; Joy Robbins, Seaside Neighborhood School; Dana Akridge, Seaside Neighborhood School; Brandy Wesson, Emerald Coast Middle School; Charlotte Sause, Seaside Neighborhood School, and Kim Kirby, WCSD Board Member. Not pictured, but also recognized are: Jeannine Abadie, Tracey Behr, Nina Borthwick, and Constance Morreale from Emerald Coast Middle School; Sharon Martin from Seaside Neighborhood School; Kasey Smith from Van R. Butler Elementary; Angela Reilly from South Walton High School; and Lisa Henry from Bay Elementary School.

A big congratulations and thank you to these teachers for their hard work in and out of the classroom.  One more example of the quality education and leadership being provided by the teachers, administration and staff of the Walton County School District! Submitted by Keitha Bledsoe.

On February 27^th, West DeFuniak Kindergarteners were visited by Nurse Stacey Betts and her monkey friend, Mojo. They told students how important it is to keep their teeth healthy. With the help of Mojo, students were able to learn how to brush and floss their teeth properly.  Submitted by Jessica Dawkins.

On Thursday, March 29th, the Northwest Florida Astronomy Association gave a hands-on presentation to Walton Middle School eighth grade science students about the sun and other stars.  The group brought four different telescopes so students could look at the sun safely.  They brought a hydrogen alpha telescope that only allows red light in to view the prominences and granulation of the sun.  The second telescope was a spectroscope for viewing elements in the solar atmosphere.  Another telescope allowed students to view the sun's outline and used the power of the sun to start a fire through the lens.  A fourth telescope used a stainless steel lens to filter light, allowing students to see sunspots.  Students were also given special glasses, which allowed them to look directly at the sun.  Walton Middle School graciously thanks the Northwest Florida Astronomy Association for taking time to give students this phenomenal opportunity. Submitted by Kristen Rhodes.