Latest news with #Chesser
26-04-2025
- General
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. 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. "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."
Yahoo
26-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
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
Yahoo
26-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
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
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- Yahoo
Alexandria Police Department: Man's death after April 12 beating ruled a homicide
A man who had been beaten earlier in the month has died from his injuries, and his death now has been ruled a homicide. Jerry Chesser, 58, was beaten April 12 in the 100 block of MacArthur Drive, which is in the area where Coliseum Drive merges with MacArthur. The Alexandria Police Department responded to the incident, and Chesser was taken to a hospital. Rapides homicide updates: Man pleads guilty to lesser charge in 2021 fatal shooting of his stepbrother in Pineville Keely Brand murder: City accuses Alexandria man arrested in mother's shooting of 'execution-style murder' Louisiana State Police: 3 men die in 2 crashes over Easter weekend in Troop E region He died on Tuesday, and the autopsy on Wednesday ruled Chesser's death a homicide, reads a news release from the department. An investigation is continuing. Anyone with information is asked to call the department's Detective Division at 318-441-6416 or dispatch at 318-441-6559. People also can email detectives at APDDetectives@ For those who wish to leave tips anonymously, contact Crime Stoppers of CenLa at 318-443-7867 or download its mobile app at This article originally appeared on Alexandria Town Talk: Police: Man dies almost 2 weeks after beating in Alexandria, seek help
Yahoo
30-01-2025
- Yahoo
Former Ohio firefighter, foster dad sentenced in sexual explotation case
TOLEDO, Ohio – A former Ohio firefighter, foster parent and father of biological children was sentenced Thursday on child sexual exploitation charges. Jeremy Dean Chesser, 42, of Maumee, Ohio, was sentenced to 30 years in prison and a lifetime of supervised release by U.S. District Judge James R. Knepp, II after he pleaded guilty to two counts of sexually exploiting minors by means of production of child sexual abuse materials (CSAM), and the receipt and distribution of CSAM. He was also ordered to pay $21,000 in restitution and $15,300 in assessments. At the time of the offenses, Chesser worked as a firefighter and was also a father to 10 children including biological, adopted, and foster children. In 2022, he sexually exploited a two-year-old and produced CSAM of the toddler, according to investigators, and from 2022-2023, Chesser sexually exploited a second minor who was 13-14 years old. Investigators say Chessner sought the minor out online, pretending to be a 16-year-old boy, and proceeded to convince the minor that they were in a relationship. Chesser then induced that minor to produce and send him sexually explicit photos. After a search of Chessner's home, investigators found a 'large volume' of CSAM involving 65 other minors and that he had been distributing CSAM for over 10 years. The investigation was conducted by the FBI-Toledo Field Office, FBI-New Haven, Connecticut Field Office, and the Maumee Police Department. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
