Latest news with #HoneyCreekElementary
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
24-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Parents outraged after ‘whites' and ‘colored' signs are posted above water fountains in Georgia elementary school
A Georgia elementary school is facing furious backlash from parents after their students were subjected to signs on campus reading 'whites only' and 'colored only.' Students reported seeing the signs above water fountains and in the cafeteria at Honey Creek Elementary in Conyers, Georgia, southeast of Atlanta, according to local outlet WSB-TV. School officials said a teacher put up the signs as part of a history lesson on Ruby Bridges, the first Black student to desegregate a U.S. school in 1960 at just six years old. 'The district provides teachers with curriculum documents that include recommended and vetted resources and activities,' Principal Adriene Lanier wrote in a message Wednesday to parents. 'In this instance, the teacher did not adhere to the approved resources or recommended lessons provided by the district.' While 'we do not believe there was any ill intent, the activity was not included in the teacher's submitted lesson plan and was not approved by school administrators,' Lanier added. But parents and community members called the move unacceptable. 'My son was over a water fountain drinking, and there was a 'for colored only' sign above and he was made fun of by the other children,' one parent told WSB-TV. 'To me, that's not a history lesson.' 'Things can be taught in a way that doesn't inflict trauma on children,' another parent told the outlet. That parent asked WSB-TV to keep her name private over concerns about racist backlash: '[I'm] trying to limit as much backlash as I can, because I know there are racist individuals in this world unfortunately,' the parent added. The Rockdale County and Georgia NAACP chapters have both condemned the teacher's signs, calling it an 'act of racial hostility that reopens wounds still felt by generations of Americans who have fought, and continue to fight, for equality and dignity.' 'This moment demands more than outrage — it demands action," the chapters said in a joint statement. 'Accountability is non-negotiable. But accountability alone is not enough. This moment must spark comprehensive, systemic change.' The chapters called on the Rockdale County School District to implement changes to their training and education programs, including 'mandatory anti-racism education rooted in historical truth,' 'mandatory anti-racism education rooted in historical truth,' and 'transparent engagement with parents and stakeholders, rooted in trust, equity, and repair.' The Independent has contacted the Rockdale County School District for comment.
The Independent
24-04-2025
- General
- The Independent
Parents outraged after ‘whites' and ‘colored' signs are posted above water fountains in Georgia elementary school
A Georgia elementary school is facing furious backlash from parents after their students were subjected to signs on campus reading 'whites only' and 'colored only.' Students reported seeing the signs above water fountains and in the cafeteria at Honey Creek Elementary in Conyers, Georgia, southeast of Atlanta, according to local outlet WSB-TV. School officials said a teacher put up the signs as part of a history lesson on Ruby Bridges, the first Black student to desegregate a U.S. school in 1960 at just six years old. 'The district provides teachers with curriculum documents that include recommended and vetted resources and activities,' Principal Adriene Lanier wrote in a message Wednesday to parents. 'In this instance, the teacher did not adhere to the approved resources or recommended lessons provided by the district.' While 'we do not believe there was any ill intent, the activity was not included in the teacher's submitted lesson plan and was not approved by school administrators,' Lanier added. But parents and community members called the move unacceptable. 'My son was over a water fountain drinking, and there was a 'for colored only' sign above and he was made fun of by the other children,' one parent told WSB-TV. 'To me, that's not a history lesson.' 'Things can be taught in a way that doesn't inflict trauma on children,' another parent told the outlet. That parent asked WSB-TV to keep her name private over concerns about racist backlash: '[I'm] trying to limit as much backlash as I can, because I know there are racist individuals in this world unfortunately,' the parent added. The Rockdale County and Georgia NAACP chapters have both condemned the teacher's signs, calling it an 'act of racial hostility that reopens wounds still felt by generations of Americans who have fought, and continue to fight, for equality and dignity.' 'This moment demands more than outrage — it demands action," the chapters said in a joint statement. 'Accountability is non-negotiable. But accountability alone is not enough. This moment must spark comprehensive, systemic change.' The chapters called on the Rockdale County School District to implement changes to their training and education programs, including 'mandatory anti-racism education rooted in historical truth,' 'mandatory anti-racism education rooted in historical truth,' and 'transparent engagement with parents and stakeholders, rooted in trust, equity, and repair.'
