The Teen Trendsetters program, sponsored by The Barbara Bush Foundation and funded in part through a grant from the St. Joe Foundation was a huge success for the 2016-2017 school year. Selected Van R. Butler Elementary second grade students were paired with a mentor / tutor student from South Walton High School. Each pair met once a week throughout the school year. An overall gain in student reading Lexile levels of 10,315 points was achieved!  The Elementary and High School participants enjoyed an end of the year celebration of the program's success on Wednesday, April 26th.

Pictured below:  Dr. Alexis Tibbetts, Principal of South Walton High School; Shelly Hinojosa, SWHS Leadership Class Instructor; Kelly Layman, Barbara Bush Foundation; Janet Greeno, St. Joe Foundation; Carrie Chavers, Walton School District Literacy Coach; and Tammy Smith, Principal of Van R. Butler Elementary School.

Submitted by Debbie McBroom.

Kindergarten students have been busy reading this year.  The kindergarten students at West DeFuniak Elementary set a goal of earning 15 Accelerated Reader points for the school year.  That is a least 30 books for each child.  When students earn their goal they are presented an AR shirt on the school Morning Show.  We are so proud of the effort that everyone in Mrs. Donna Timmons’ class has put forth this year.  All 19 students have accomplished and passed their goal.  Several of the students have met their classroom goal of 30 and are working towards 45.  Submitted by Jessiva Dawkins.

First graders create a motivational poster for 3-5 graders taking FSA. They drew bees and colored the message, "We "bee"lieve in you!," to encourage those students to do their best on FSA. Submitted by Elizabeth Gaither.