High Points of the Valley (Graphic Illustration)

* Wood County Schools teachers and administrators once again were given an outstanding opportunity to brush up on their skills during the third annual Teaching and Learning Academy. “During the week, we have just over 100 sessions planned. We have over 3,000 individual session registrations throughout the week, and there are a variety of topics being covered,” Director of Curriculum and Instruction Ashlee Beatty said. Among the topics covered were defiance and de-escalation in the classroom. It’s a shame the need for that is so great, but it is encouraging to know our school district has been proactive in giving teachers such training. “Our educators and our staff are the best asset for Wood County Schools, and if we can take care of them, then they take care of the students,” Beatty said. “Our goal for this is to give them the support and what they feel they need for professional learning, so that they can feel energized, supported, prepared, and go into the school year ready to go.” It is good to know how much work is going into preparing for the start of the next school year — right around the corner.

* Young people have a way of surprising us with their ability to use their brains and their hearts to get the job done when adults sometimes falter. Learning of the plight of staff and volunteers at the Humane Society of the Ohio Valley trying to properly care for hundreds of animals filling their shelter, 8-year-old Autumn Hughes organized a lemonade stand and caught the attention of Texas Roadhouse to help support her effort. She ended up raising more than $1,000. “She loves animals and she enjoys doing her lemonade stands,” her dad, Jacob, said. She also appears to already be a driven leader who knows how to bring an idea to life and get things done when she’s on a mission. Kudos to her (and all those who helped her meet her goal to support the shelter). And thank you, Autumn, for wanting to help and knowing exactly how to do it.