Georgia school investigating after segregation-era signs used in history lesson
Signs reading "For Whites Only" and "For Colored Only" that were posted in a Georgia elementary school as part of a history lesson recently have sparked concern among some parents.
The two signs, posted above water fountains inside the cafeteria at Honey Creek Elementary in Rockdale County, Georgia, were part of an unapproved lesson about Ruby Bridges, the first African American child to attend a previously all-white school in the South, according to Rockdale County Public Schools. The lesson, which is part of the first grade curriculum, focuses on a 6-year-old Bridges integrating a Louisiana elementary school in the 1960s.
Asked about the incident, Rockdale County Public Schools provided a statement from Superintendent Shirley Chesser that was shared during a school board meeting with the community on Thursday night.
"Rockdale County Public Schools provides teachers with curriculum documents that include recommended and vetted resources and activities. In this instance, the teacher did not follow the approved resources or recommended lessons provided by the district for teaching this Georgia Standard," Chesser said during the meeting.
MORE: Pope Francis' funeral: Who will attend, how to watch
Chesser added that the school district has launched an investigation into the incident.
"The teacher did not have any discriminatory intent, and this was not a prank. This activity did not align with district expectations, and we recognize that this may have been hurtful," she said.
The Rockdale County Public Schools spokesperson did not provide further comment.
The school did not name the teacher involved in hanging the signs.
The principal sent a letter to parents on Wednesday morning addressing the situation. The message, obtained by ABC affiliate WSB-TV in Atlanta, explained that the signs were not part of the approved resources or recommended lesson plan by Honey Creek Elementary.
Nikisha Wade, a parent of a Honey Creek Elementary student, spoke at a county Board of Education meeting on April 17 expressing her concern over the situation.
MORE: Black man in Alabama dies 1 week after being shocked with stun gun during arrest
"That is highly offensive, the way it was delivered. I understand that there is an investigation in place, and I hope and pray that that is taken in high regard to what the children experienced. Because the kids are traumatized, especially speaking firsthand, mine were," she said. "It is sad that in 2025 we have to encounter things of this nature."
The Georgia and Rockdale NAACP chapters issued a joint statement on Thursday before the board meeting condemning the signs, calling the act a "direct evocation of the painful legacy of segregation and racial injustice that our nation has fought tirelessly to overcome."
"Let us be clear: there is no place in our schools—or in any public space—for racism, hate, or ignorance. What occurred in Rockdale County is more than a 'prank' or isolated behavior; it reflects the ongoing need for serious, intentional education about our country's history of racial discrimination and the continued work required to build inclusive, respectful environments for all students," the statement continued.
"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."
Georgia school investigating after segregation-era signs used in history lesson originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
San Francisco Chronicle
5 hours ago
- San Francisco Chronicle
These graduating Lowell students were called ‘lottery kids.' The stigma never went away
When the freshmen class walked into San Francisco's elite Lowell High School for the first time in the fall of 2021, they were slapped with a label that stuck for the next four years: lottery kids. Unlike prior decades of Lowell students, those 621 students hadn't gotten in because of exceptional grades and impressive test scores. Those students and the following ninth grade class were admitted through the same mostly random process used at the district's other high schools — a decision based on a lack of grades and test scores in the early years of the pandemic to evaluate the Lowell applications. They were lucky. Some said it wasn't fair. They hadn't earned admission, didn't belong and would fail, a number of parents, teachers and others in the community said. Others, including a majority on the school board, hoped the change would be permanent to help bring more Black and Latino students to a school that was more than 50% Asian American about 1% Black. Lowell returned to merit-based admissions for the fall of 2023, leaving two years of lottery years sandwiched between merit-admission peers. Those two years could help answer a burning question: What if the district randomly admitted students to one of the top-performing and academically rigorous high schools in the country? It turns out that overall, the academic disparities between the lottery and merit students were relatively small, according to district data. The average GPA of the first lottery class was 3.45, compared to an average 3.69 GPA over the previous five years. The average SAT score of lottery students lagged by 78 points compared to the average merit-based SAT taker back to 2020, although lottery scores were still 240 points above the national average. And on average the class of 2025 took 2.65 Advanced Placement courses, compared to an average 2.8 over the previous five years, although nearly on par with the class of 2020's 2.69. Based on the basic academic data available, the sky did not fall as some predicted, said Tony Payne, district executive director of high schools. But that isn't surprising, he said, given Lowell's reputation as a rigorous academic school. 'Even when it was a lottery, I think families and students would self-select around this academic environment,' he said. 'Kids who would have gotten into Lowell anyway, a ton of them applied. 'I think the data makes sense from that perspective,' he added. Benjamin Zhang, who was graduating Monday in red cap and gown as part of Lowell's first lottery class, was perhaps among the kids who would have been at Lowell regardless of the admission process. But he and his classmates would never know. Still, Zhang, the class salutatarian with a full scholarship to Yale University, said in his graduation speech that they were defined by the lottery. 'That title hung over us like an overdue assignment. 'Not merit-based,' they said. 'Just lucky,' they whispered,' said Zhang. 'And … let this be our final act: To say that we are not defined by a lottery, a label or a transcript. We are defined by what we did with the chance we were given.' While the lottery had little impact on academic markers, it did have an impact on student demographics, with random admissions significantly increasing the number of Black and Latino students. The senior class this year, the first lottery group, included 22 Black students and 121 Latino students, for example, while the senior class of 723 students four years earlier had just five Black students and 78 Latino students. At the same time, there was more attrition in the lottery class, with 93 of the original freshmen leaving by senior year, compared to an average of 41 over the previous five years. Other district high schools also saw upticks in attrition, although not as large. District officials said understanding the data is complicated by the fact that the first Lowell lottery class was hit with a double whammy, entering high school after spending all of eighth grade and the end of seventh in online learning because of the pandemic. They started high school, lost among the three buildings and four floors at Lowell with masks secured to their faces, their social skills withered and their grade-level academics and study skills a big question mark. Lowell principal JanMichelle Bautista ticked off the list of challenges for students during that first year back to in-person learning: 'Behavior changes, academic progress, stamina for coursework, sitting in a classroom for 90 minutes.' Teachers would say the lottery kids were so different, Bautista said, but the reality was 'we were all so different.' The pandemic-era Lowell lottery triggered a fierce debate over whether or not the school should remain exclusive to ensure the district's academically motivated students could thrive, even if the student body had few Black and Latino students. For decades, Lowell had been a point of pride for the city, consistently one of the top performing public schools in the country, churning out prominent figures in politics, entertainment, literature and science. Amid the pandemic, the progressive-majority school board moved to make the lottery permanent in February 2021, after voting in October 2020 for a one-year random selection for upcoming fall freshmen. Lowell parents and other city residents were outraged. 'The job market is merit based, college is merit based,' said parent Surveen Singh during the school board meeting that made it permanent in 2021. 'Lowell's high standards, training and rigor have given many students, especially immigrant families, the impetus and skills to attend college and succeed. 'Why on earth would anyone want to take that away?' Critics of the merit-based system argued back. 'There should be no sacred cows in the SFUSD schools,' said Virginia Marshall, representing the San Francisco Alliance of Black School Educators. 'Every child should have the opportunity to go to Lowell High School.' A year later, following a recall of three progressive school board members and a lawsuit, the school board returned Lowell to a merit-based system. It does not appear the school board will reconsider the Lowell admissions policy anytime soon, even with the lottery class data in hand. 'We absolutely want to preserve the rigorous instruction and academic programming offered at schools like Lowell,' said school board President Phil Kim. 'We know students are up to the challenge, and families are asking for more of these opportunities across all our high schools. The demand is there.' Some members of the two classes of lottery students and their families said they felt the stigma of being at Lowell under the random admission process in the halls and classrooms. 'I heard those stories from the students,' Bautista said. On Monday, the four years of hard work and stress seemed to fade into the background as parents sat in the stands at Kezar Stadium watching the Lowell graduates walk across the stage as their names were called. 'I'm beside myself with joy,' said parent Jameelah Hoskins. Her son, Yusef, was among the 22 Black students in his class. He had been a straight-A, honor roll student in middle school, who at times — like many if not most Lowell students — struggled to keep up with his courses, especially after COVID, Hoskins said. 'The thing I remember is his determination to stay (at Lowell). He wanted to do the work,' she said. 'I was the one saying, 'if you want to go somewhere else, it's OK.'' Yusef will attend City College of San Francisco in the fall and enter the entrepreneur program, perhaps combining it with an electrician trade program, his mom said. Yet among the smiles and goodbye hugs on graduation day, the lottery lingered, a topic in family conversations and in nearly every commencement speech made by a graduate or adult, including Bautista. 'You were scrutinized, second-guessed, and demeaned. People including yourselves questioned your worth, your ability, your presence,' the principal told her lottery kids. ' Never did you shrink in the face of unfair judgment … You turned doubt into drive, exclusion into excellence, criticism into community. 'You belong in every room you walk into. You belong at every single table where decisions are made. You belong in every dream you dare to dream.'
Yahoo
16 hours ago
- Yahoo
Man with no teeth sought for robbery at Newport News 7-Eleven
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (WAVY) – Newport News police are asking for public assistance identifying a man who robbed a 7-Eleven on May 14. According to officials, the man shoplifted from the business before returning, armed with a brick, around 2:17 a.m. He then demanded products from the clerks, which prompted them to hide in the back room of the business. The suspect then attempted to break into the room with the brick before giving up, according to information provided by police. The suspect stole several packs of cigarettes on his way out. Police provided this surveillance image. Based on victim descriptions of the suspect, police said he is a light-skinned Black male about five-foot-six to five-foot-eight inches tall, 150-170 pounds, and he reportedly has no teeth. If you have any information about this case, you can submit an anonymous tip by calling 1-888-LOCK-U-UP, downloading the P3 tips app to a mobile device, or visiting and submitting a tip. Continue to check for updates. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
17 hours ago
- Yahoo
Peoria celebrates Juneteenth with a powerful line-up of events and gatherings
PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) — The City of Peoria is coming together to honor Juneteenth with a powerful lineup of events and a united voice. On Thursday, June 5, at 1:30 p.m., a Joint Press Conference was held at Peoria Freedom & Remembrance Memorial Park to officially kick off the community-wide celebrations. Hosted by the Peoria Park District in collaboration with key community partners—including the City of Peoria, Peoria's Miss Juneteenth Pageant, NAACP Peoria Branch, The YANI Collective, Southside Community Center, and the Heritage Ensemble—the press conference spotlighted the many events that make up Peoria's Juneteenth Week. Running from June 7 through June 21, Peoria's Juneteenth events will include parades, pageants, festivals, concerts, and gatherings that highlight Black excellence, resilience, and culture. These celebrations are aimed not only to entertain, but also to educate and unite the community through music, storytelling, art, and remembrance. Local leaders, including Mayor Rita Ali and Robert L. Johnson Sr., along with representatives from each organizing group, will speak at the press conference about the significance of Juneteenth and what each event contributes to the celebration. Event Highlights Include: • Peoria's Miss Juneteenth Pageant Saturday, June 7 | 3:00–6:00 PM | Carver Center A showcase of young Black women exemplifying leadership and cultural pride. • Ernestine Jackson Juneteenth Freedom Parade Saturday, June 14 | 12:00 PM | NAACP Peoria Branch Building A lively parade honoring the legacy of Black freedom fighters. • Juneteenth Fest: Black Wall Street Saturday, June 14 | 11:00 AM–6:00 PM | John H. Gwynn Jr. Park A vibrant festival celebrating Black entrepreneurship and culture. • 26th Annual Juneteenth Father's Day Choral Celebration Sunday, June 15 | 3:00–5:00 PM | ICC Performing Arts Center An uplifting musical tribute from the renowned Heritage Ensemble. • Jubilee Day: A Juneteenth Celebration Wednesday, June 19 | 1:00–9:00 PM | Glen Oak Park A full day of family-friendly fun, performances, and community gathering. • Freedom Fest 2025 Friday, June 21 | 12:00–4:00 PM | Trewyn Park A joyful celebration hosted by the Southside Community Center to close out the week. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
