‘Colored only' signs at school draw outrage, GA parents say. District responds
A Georgia school district is investigating after parents raised concerns over segregation-era signs displayed inside an Atlanta-area elementary school, news outlets reported.
Signs reading 'For Whites Only' and 'For Colored Only' were reportedly posted in a cafeteria and above water fountains at Honey Creek Elementary School in Conyers, parents told WSB-TV.
School leaders explained the signs were part of an unapproved social studies activity, but it did little to quell public scrutiny, WXIA reported.
Parents voiced their concerns at a recent Rockdale County School Board meeting, prompting district leaders to take a closer look at the incident, the station reported.
In a statement, Rockdale County Public Schools said it has taken 'appropriate action to address the reported information' but declined to comment on the matter further, according to WANF.
Principal Adriene Lanier addressed the incident in a letter to parents on April 23, saying it involved a social studies lesson on civil rights activist Ruby Bridges, WSB-TV reported. Bridges was the first Black child to desegregate William Frantz Elementary School in Louisiana in 1960.
'The district provides teachers with curriculum documents that include recommended and vetted resources and activities,' Lanier said, as reported by the station. 'In this instance, the teacher did not adhere to the approved resources or recommended lessons provided by the district.'
It's not clear if the teacher will face disciplinary action.
McClatchy News reached out to Rockdale County Public Schools for more information April 24 but didn't immediately hear back.
District leaders said the teacher had no ill intent but acknowledged the classroom lesson wasn't appropriate, according to WXIA.
In a statement, The Georgia NAACP said it was 'deeply disturbed' by the incident and argued that the signage evoked a 'painful legacy of segregation and racial injustice.'
'We call upon the Rockdale County School District to take swift and transparent action — not only to hold those involved accountable but to implement district-wide anti-racism education, cultural competency training for staff and students, and spaces for open dialogue led by trusted community leaders,' the organization said.
Conyers is about a 20-mile drive southeast from downtown Atlanta.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
USA Today
an hour ago
- USA Today
When is Juneteenth? Is it a federal holiday? What to know
When is Juneteenth? Is it a federal holiday? What to know Show Caption Hide Caption What is Juneteenth? Holiday celebrates end of American slavery in Texas Juneteenth celebrates the Emancipation Proclamation, but the Emancipation Proclamation didn't apply to all states in the USA. The 13th Amendment brought an end to slavery. USA TODAY, Wochit The nation's youngest federal holiday is around the corner. Juneteenth commemorates the events of June 19, 1865, in Galveston, Texas when the last Black slaves of the Confederacy were ordered free following the arrival of Union troops. The day, which rose to national prominence in 2020 amid nationwide protests for ongoing racial inequities in the justice system between Black people – specifically Breonna Taylor and George Floyd – and police, was officially recognized a federal holiday by President Joe Biden in 2021. Here's what to know about the holiday and what day it occurs. Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle. Juneteenth: Everything to know about the federal holiday When is Juneteenth? Is it a federal holiday? Juneteenth National Independence Day is on Thursday, June 19, this year, and is considered a federal holiday. Will banks be closed on Juneteenth? Juneteenth is considered a bank holiday, according to the Federal Reserve. The United States Postal Service, schools, and most banks, like Wells Fargo, Citibank, Bank of America, Truist, and others, will also be closed on June 19. Fact check: No, a George Floyd statue wasn't removed from the National Mall What is Juneteenth? The holiday commemorates the Emancipation Proclamation in the U.S. President Abraham Lincoln issued the proclamation to free enslaved African Americans in secessionist states on January 1, 1863, but enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, would not learn of their freedom until two years later. On June 19, 1865, Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger informed the community of Galveston of Lincoln's proclamation. Although enslaved people had been officially emancipated years prior, enslavers responsible for telling them ignored the order until Union troops arrived to enforce it, founder of Cliff Robinson earlier told USA TODAY. Texas was the last Confederate state to have the proclamation announced. Though the story of Texas' emancipation is the most widely known, president of the National Juneteenth Observance Foundation Steve Williams previously told USA TODAY, other significant events in the history of emancipation took place on and around that date. He said the first known Juneteenth celebrations began in 1866 and spread across the country as African Americans migrated to new cities. Why is it called Juneteenth? Juneteenth is a combination of "June" and "nineteenth," in honor of the day that Granger announced the abolition of slavery in Texas. The holiday is also known as Freedom Day or Emancipation Day. Contributing: Natalie Neysa Alund, Julia Gomez, N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA TODAY Saman Shafiq is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at sshafiq@ and follow her on X and Instagram @saman_shafiq7.
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
Traffic advisory: Two road closures in Watertown June 9
WATERTOWN. N.Y. (WSYR-TV) — There will be two roads closed in the town of Watertown on June 9, 2025, from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. At the intersection of Stone and Sherman Street, repairs are being done, and Stone Street is closed from Arcade Street to Sherman Street. Sherman Street will also be closed from Clinton to Stone Street. There will be traffic control on site during construction, and drivers are urged to use alternative routes or exercise caution while traveling through work zones and crews. If the work takes longer to complete than originally planned, there will be updates. Workforce Run June 10: Parking/traffic alert Local author shares details behind new book 'Conquering Shame: Surviving to Thriving' What to expect from this year's Manlius Street Festival Early Voting for local Primary Election on June 24 Decomposed body found along Oswego Lighthouse Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Yahoo
Fairburn family's home destroyed after fire reignites overnight
A Fairburn family is without a home after facing two back-to-back fires over the weekend. Fairburn Fire Chief Cornelius Robinson says crews first responded to a fire at a home on Autumn Green Road around 12 p.m. on Sunday. 'We came in, and it appears it started in the kitchen,' Robinson explained. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Robinson says that fire was extinguished overnight, but crews were called back to the home early Monday morning after the flames reignited. Neighbors stood outside their homes Monday, watching as crews worked to put the fire out again. Resident Mack Amos says he was shocked to see fire trucks at the same house for the second time in 24 hours. 'I thought they had it under control yesterday afternoon. Waking up at 4:30 a.m. and seeing the fire coming out of the roof again —that was like, 'Oh!'' said Amos. TRENDING STORIES: Driver charged in crash that killed South Fulton police captain to appear in court GSP identifies man who died after tree fell on his car Starbucks permanently closes Ansley Mall location Officials say the home has severe damage to the second floor, the interior, the backside and the roof. No residents or firefighters were hurt during either incident. Investigators are now working to determine what caused the fire to reignite. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
